Family Siesta

<< Previous Next >>
Family Siesta
Photo Information
Copyright: Selen Ediger (SelenE) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2337 W: 59 N: 4094] (13345)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS USM, Hoya 77mm Super-HMC CPL MCPRO1
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/200 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-01-11 4:08
Viewed: 796
Points: 56
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Galapagos Sea Lion
Zalophus wollebaeki
Red List Status: Vulnerable

*Galapagos sea lions are similar in appearance to California sea lions, but differ in size, behavior, and skull morphology. Galapagos sea lions are sexually dimorphic, with males growing larger than females and having several secondary sexual characteristics. The degree of sexual dimorphism appears to be less than in California sea lions, although few weights and measurements are available for adults to confirm this observation.

Adult males are robust in the neck, chest, and shoulders and are proportionately much smaller in the abdomen. As males sexually mature the enlarging sagittal crest becomes evident as a bump on the crown. The crest grows until the male reaches physical maturity, at which time it forms a prominent ridge behind the eyes and creates a steep forehead. Galapagos sea lion males are said to lack the pale pelage coloration on top of the sagittal crest common in California sea lions, although this feature appears to be present in one published photograph. Also, the skull of adult male Galapagos sea lions has a 20-25% smaller sagittal crest, a shorter muzzle, is about 10% shorter overall and is narrower than the skull of male California sea lions. As in all otariids the canine teeth of adult males are larger and thicker than those of females.

Adult and subadult male Galapagos sea lions bark in often long repeated sequences. The bark is loud, rapidly repeated, and distinctive. Females and juveniles do not produce the repetitive bark. Juveniles, subadults and adults of both sexes will also growl.

Adult females and juveniles do no have a sagittal crest. When viewed in profile, juveniles have a nearly flat head with little or no forehead. Adult females have a slight forehead formed by a gentle slope from the crown to the muzzle. In contrast to adult males, adult females have a long relatively thin neck and a wide torso.

Both sexes have a long and somewhat narrow muzzle that tapers to a slightly pointed nose. In profile, the face of younger animals is dog-like. The fore flippers have a sparse short fur that extends beyond the wrist onto the middle of the dorsal surface of the flipper in a “V” pattern and does not reach the rounded tip. The rest of the dorsal surface, and the palms of both fore flippers are covered with a hairless black leathery skin. The first digit is the longest, widest and thickest, and curves posterioraly, giving the flipper a swept back look. Digits 2-4 are successively shorter. There is a small opening in the skin at the end of each digit for a claw that is usually reduced to a vestigial nodule, and rarely emerges above the skin. The claw openings are set back from the free edge of the flippers by cartilaginous rods that extend the length of each digit, and expand the size of the flippers. The hind flippers also have cartilaginous rods that extend the length of each toe. The bones of the three central toes terminate at the position of the small nails that emerge through the skin on the dorsal surface, set back from the end of the flipper. The first and fifth toes are longer than the three middle toes, and the first toe, or hallux, is longer and wider than the fifth toe. The hind flippers have short hair covering part of the proximal end of the flipper, and the rest of the dorsal surface, and the entire sole is covered in black leathery hairless skin.

Color of Galapagos sea lions is highly variable. When dry, the coat of adult males ranges from grayish and golden brown to the common dark brown, and most bulls appear blackish or very dark when wet. Darkening begins when males are subadults and is generally complete when a bull reaches physical maturity. Adult males can have light gray coloration on their backs. Adult females, juveniles and young subadult males are pale colored above, and can be many shades of tan to light brown. There are often light colored areas on the muzzle, and around and above the eyes in both sexes. The sparse short fur covering a portion of the tops of the flippers can be the same color or darker than the color of the body. Pups are born with a longer brownish-black lanugo coat that fades to pale brown by three to five months. Pups go through their first molt at around five months and emerge with the pelage of adult females and juveniles.

There is little information on the lengths and weighs attained by Galapagos sea lions, but they are said to be somewhat smaller than California sea lions. Adult males are estimated to weigh up to 250 kg, but this has not been confirmed through direct study. Four adult females caring for pups weighed from 50 to 100 kg. Pups of both sexes are born at approximately six kilograms and weaned at approximately 25 kg.
*Source: Obis-Seamap
Miss_Piggy, marhowie, matatur, JoseMiguel, izler, mariki, Alex99, fiyo, hester, Silvio2006, Adanac, dkaved, dB_grafix, claudine, pilonm, egeerhan has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To delic: selamSelenE 1 02-01 00:52
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1555 W: 233 N: 5091] (17959)
  • [2008-01-11 4:18]

Hi Selen,
what a nice shot of these cute sealions :)
That red sand is very interesting!
Magnificent clarity conserving all the detail and keeping the photo sharp and crisp.
Perfect exposure and lighting.
Nice colours.
Great photo!
Well done,
Joe

Hallo Selen
Now what do we have here? Passed out, having a ball and enjoying the sun. Very fascinating photo. The detail is so good, I am sure I can count the whiskers on each one if I wanted to. This is actually a very intimate scene. I do not know much about sea lions but is looks as if the cub is lying between mommy and daddy and feel protected under mommy’s arm( I presume). Not a sight we see on Trek Nature as often as butterflies and birds. Thanks for sharing.
Regards
Anna
ps. Very interesting information on the sea lions.

Ahhhh, very cute one Selen!
Love all the different pose's and the sea lion hug action I see.
Everything looks very good..and that burgundy colored sand really works well :)
Howard

Bunlar çok sevimliler Selen Hanım, harika bir kompozisyon olmuş, renkler ve netlik de harika,
paylaşımınıza teşekkür ediyorum.
Mehmet

Merhaba Selene,
What a cute scene!
It's so tendre the way the group of s. lions lay out together, and enjoying the moment.
I like specially the great contrast made by the intense red colour of the sand.
Congratulations and thanks for share it.
My best regards,
JM

merhaba Selen hanım,
bu güzel sevimli aileyi çok güzel görüntülemişsiniz. netlik, açı, kompozisyon çok güzel. kumların rengi de öyle. sanki akvaryum veya benzeri yerlerde kullanılan kum gibi. elinize sağlık, güzel bir çalışma olmuş. selamlar.

  • Great 
  • izler Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1216 W: 78 N: 843] (6904)
  • [2008-01-11 8:34]

merhaba selen hanim
yine Ekvador yine kaliteli kareler
sevimli ve sicak bir aile tablosu olmus
kompozisyon, bakis acisi, isik, renkler, netlik ve detaylari harika olmus
elinize saglik
selamlar
izler

I love the rich colors and sharpness of this charming photo. The expressions and poses are just wonderful. Nice capture.

TFS
Evelynn : )

Merhaba Selen,
Selam and well wishes always!!
excellent composition with these cuttie in perfect sharpness, true colour and details
most important is the useful and informative notes!!
great job and TFS
greeting
Tony

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2935 W: 142 N: 4217] (13775)
  • [2008-01-11 11:38]

Hi Selen.
What an unexpected scene. I am impressed a lot. The shot is brilliant. Its colour palette, silver tones, razor sharpness and stunning details of the sand and animal images are fantastic. Bravo. Excellent job.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 969 W: 5 N: 2191] (8022)
  • [2008-01-11 12:40]

Merhaba Selen hanım,
sarmaş dolaş çok sevimli ve güzel bir kompozisyon,toprağın rengi de çok ilginçmiş.
Ellerinize sağlık, selamlar.

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1497 W: 18 N: 2924] (10762)
  • [2008-01-11 12:46]

Hi Selen

What a charming scene. I love the peace and calm of this shot. Sharp and well composed. Lovely

TFS

Karan

  • Great 
  • rdfoto Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 366 W: 0 N: 715] (3058)
  • [2008-01-11 12:59]

Bonjour Selen
Ne pas oublier de les tourner de temps en temps ;-D
Très belle prise pleine de tendresse, bonne netteté et couleurs, bien cadré et commenté.
Amicalement Robi

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1029 W: 1 N: 3939] (13258)
  • [2008-01-11 18:01]

Hello Selen,
What a wonderful composition in deed. These cute sea lions all cuddled up enjoying each other. The details and colors are superb, what a beautiful posting.
Rick

  • Great 
  • dejo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 355 W: 54 N: 476] (2048)
  • [2008-01-11 18:19]

Hi Selen,
great capture, the sand is fantastic, great color
animals are captured in beautiful pose, nice moment, great details and DOF
TFS, Dejan

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1702 W: 5 N: 2123] (11730)
  • [2008-01-11 19:39]

Bonsoir Selen,

Bravo pour cette composition. Le sable rouge cré un bel effet à cette photo.
Merci.
Joseph

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1687 W: 20 N: 4738] (15476)
  • [2008-01-11 23:26]

Hi Selen,
Just marking this wonderful shot from you for now and will come back.
Sumon

Hello Selen,

Very nice shot of these cute sealions. Great sharpness. Very beautiful colours of the sealions and the sand.
Well done,
Cheers,
Mariki

Merhaba Selen, lovely family composition with wonderful colors and excellent sharpness, very well done, have a great week end, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • dkaved Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 271 W: 18 N: 396] (1900)
  • [2008-01-12 23:57]

Hi Selen,
What a wonderful image!A true depiction of what family love is all about.Seeing them you just want to jump in with them and have a big hug.The colour of the sand is quite amazing and a lovely backdrop for the trio.The Galapagos is on my list of places to visit.Take care and TFS.
Regards, David

Hi Selen.
This is quite a funny photo. I like the laziness portrayed. Of course the quality is perfect, and the lighting and shadows gives a lot of details. It would make a very good print.
TFS...have a nice week.
D

Hello Selen,
Lovely animals and they seem to have a great time together!
Fine details in the fur coats, and the colour variations are well recorded!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hi Selen,
What a tender and beautiful capture! I like the brilliance n their skin a lot that contrast so well with this pink (?) sand! Lightning is beautiful here. They look like they are glowing in the sun. This is a great shot! Thanks,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2726 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-01-15 10:37]

Hello Selen

The colours are wonderful,with excellent illumination.
The textures of the seals are lovely.They seem to be enjoying the sunlight and each others company.
Very well focused with sharp details.
TFS


Rob

Hello Selen,

Wow!!! What a remarkable work!!! It looks like a paint to me!!! The sand color is wonderful and enhances so well the seals... Details on the fur are remarkable too.. Hoping they will win their struggle to survive...

Cheers and TFS!

Michel

çok sevimli çıkmışlar kumların renkleride güzel bir görüntü ortaya çıkarmış ellerine saglık

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 530 W: 6 N: 340] (936)
  • [2008-01-31 1:19]
  • [+]

I'm amazed how productive your time in Ecuador was. Obviously a well-planned trip. This is a lovely photo of the family of sea lions. I hope the population is healthy as their kins in Alaska have been in trouble for over a decade.
Beautiful work. Best,
Hakan

Excellent shot! You have captured a tender moment. Good pov and composition. The colours look good. Also well cropped image. Thanks for sharing.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF