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California Sea Lion


California Sea Lion
Photo Information
Copyright: Thijs van Balen jr (Pentaxfriend) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 480 W: 23 N: 1441] (5673)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-09-27
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Pentax K10D, Sigma 400mm/ 5.6 APO Tele Macro, Digital ISO 200, 77mm Tokina ATX MC Skylight 1b
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-10-22 7:35
Viewed: 416
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Pinnipedia
Family: Otariidae
Subfamily: Otariinae
Genus: Zalophus (Gill, 1866)
Species: Z. californianus
Binomial name: Zalophus californianus (Lesson, 1828)


The California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) is a coastal sea lion of the northern Pacific Ocean. They are probably the most common pinniped and can adapt to man-made enviroments. Their numbers are abundant and the population continues to expand at a rate of approximately 5.0% annually. They are also quite intelligent and even adult males can be easily trained. Because of this California sea lions are commonly used for entertainment in circuses, zoos and marine parks; and are used by the US Navy for certain military operations.

Physical description
Male California sea lions get up to 390 kg (858 lb) and 2.4 metres (8 ft) long, while females are significantly smaller, at 110 kg (240 lb) and 2 metres (6.5 ft) long.

Males grow a large crest of bone on the top of their heads as they reach sexual maturity, and it is this that gives the animal its generic name (loph is "forehead" and za- is an emphatic; Zalophus californianus means "Californian big-head"). Females are lighter in color than the males, and pups are born dark but lighten when they are several months old.

Source

Picture has been taken at the "Rotterdam Zoo ."
(site in english)
Silke, ralfsworld, marhowie, pvb has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Thijs
Well composed shot with nice expression of this Sea Lion.
TFS
Ralf

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 753 W: 108 N: 1729] (5398)
  • [2007-10-22 8:23]

The expression you have captured is simply priceless!
Perfect composition -- nice and tight! lovely colours and fine details.
This would make a wonderful greeting card congratulating someone on a success of some kind
TFS
silke

Hi Thijs,
What a pose here, it really makes the shot.
All the technical stuff looks excellent, and the vertical framing works well.
Luv dem whiska's ;}
Howard

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1159 W: 255 N: 2639] (11925)
  • [2007-10-22 10:38]

Ha Thijs,

Deze zeeleeuw geniet zo te zien volop van de zonnestralen,mooi vastgelegd in een goede composite,groetjes

Paul

  • Great 
  • jesst Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 371 W: 0 N: 164] (2244)
  • [2007-10-22 11:22]

Nice portrait!
Great sharp and detail, wonderful composition

  • Great 
  • pvb Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 381 W: 20 N: 522] (1815)
  • [2007-10-23 10:57]

Hi Thijs,
Waarom naar het zuiden gaan, hier kan je ook lekker genieten van de zon.
Leuke pose, goede compo, scherpte etc.
Paula

Another wonderful potrait from you. The colors are excellent adn the details and sharpness is amazing.
TFS Goutham R

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