Ever swim in a bait ball.... of SEA LIONS?

[spt29970]

This weekend at Santa Cruz Island I was treated to such an experience. I have played with sea lions many times, but never so many at once. There were at least a hundred swirling around me. I noticed some white things floating in the water and picked one up. It was a squid tentacle. Apparently they were just finishing devouring some squid when I got there. The light wasn't great for photography but what an experience. Check out the photos at

Santa Cruz Island 12-5-09 - a set on Flickr

Incredible. I love the Channel Islands.

 

[FrankPro1]

Great photos! Sounds like an experience of a lifetime. I've had three trips out to SC island and have encountered some big bulls and a few harbor seals but never seen anything quite like this.

 

[TSandM]

What marvelous photos! Having a sea lion encounter of that kind is one of the things I hope for when I dive down there. Hasn't happened yet, but that gives me something to look forward to!

 

[philmayer]

WOW!

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Larry C]

Very cool! Looks like Lobos Rocks on a busy Sea Lion day!

 

[Where2Next]

Wow, Wow, Wow... Great shots!

 

[ryssyr]

very cool!

 

[Tigerman]

NO FAIR!!
I want to find stuff like that!

 

[mofongo_max]

Wow indeed... At first I thought you meant they might have been the bait ball for something larger.

Love that first one... amazing encounter.

 

[spt29970]

The funny thing is that on this boat there were a bunch of hunters. As I came up, I ran across a father/daughter team beating the heck out of the reef with a crowbar to get scallops and they were completely oblivious to the show behind them. I tapped on the father's shoulder and pointed back at the sea lions. He took one glance and went back to his scallops. Go figure.