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The Itch
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) are known for their intelligence, playfulness, and noisy barking. Their color tends toward chocolate brown, although females are often a lighter golden brown. Males may reach 1,000 lbs. (more often 850 lbs., or 390 kg) and 7 feet (2.1 m) in length. Females grow to 220 lbs. (110 kg) and up to 6 feet (1.8 m) in length. They have a "dog-like" face, and around five years of age, males develop a bony bump on top of their skull called a sagittal crest. The top of a male's head often gets lighter with age. These members of the Otariid, or walking seal, family have external ear flaps and large flippers that they use to "walk" on land. The trained "seals" in zoos and aquaria are usually California sea lions.
California sea lions are very social animals, and groups often rest closely packed together at favored haul-out sites on land, or float together on the ocean's surface in "rafts." They are sometimes seen porpoising, or jumping out of the water, presumably to speed up their swimming. Sea lions have also been seen "surfing" breaking waves.
The males are probably the most vocal of all mammals, and let out a loud incessant honking bark to protect over their territories. They are faithful to their territories, and to their harems of up to 15 females. Sea Lions swim up to 25mph which makes them one of the fastest aquatic carnivores. |
ALIRIZA has marked this note useful
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Hello Sebastien,
Excellent portrait and perfect focus.I liked POV, colors and lighting a lot. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us. Congratulations,
ALIRIZA.
Excellent DOF. Too bad that you did not get this beautiful animal in its entirety, but I'll take what you got :) Love how sharp the focus is on the entire body! good job :)
- manyee
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3103 W: 234 N: 5930]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(20016) - [2006-03-01 10:52]
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You captured a great moment, Sebastien. Cute pose of scratching with eyes closed. Details and light are excellent. You did a great job of rendering the texture of the sea lion's wet fur. Great job and TFS. ; )
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- mrcrow
(2996)
- [2006-03-01 10:53]
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very cool and sleazy...
wonderfu capture of charachterisation and good rendition of the skin and claws.
cheers
geof
HI Sebastien,
nice portrait with good details and nice colours.
I like the composition and POV too.
Well done.
![Silver Note Writer [C: 2 W: 2 N: 39]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/n-n-s.gif){kind=small}
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 106 W: 26 N: 220]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(1343)