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Lounging Around


Lounging Around
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-01-09
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds MkII, Canon EF 300mm f2.8 USM IS
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-10-11 8:35
Viewed: 5757
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hello everyone - yet another shot taken from a boat with my 300 2.8 + 1.4x converter.

The South American Sea Lion (Otaria flavescens, formerly Otaria byronia), also called the Southern Sea Lion and the Patagonian Sea Lion, is a sea lion found on the Chilean, Peruvian, Uruguayan and Argentine coasts. Its scientific name was subject to controversy, with some taxonomists referring to it as Otaria flavescens and other referring to it as Otaria byronia. The former eventually won out. Locally, it is known by several names though the most common ones are "lobo marino" (sea wolf) and "león marino" (sea lion).

The South American sea lion is perhaps the archetypal sea lion in appearance. Males have a very large head with a well developed mane making them the most lionesque of the eared seals. They are twice the weight of females.[2] Both males and females are orange-coloured with upturned snouts. The manes on males are lighter than females, and female fur on the head and neck is lighter than that of males. Pups are born black or dark brown and molt into a more chocolate colour. The South American Sea Lion's size and weight can vary quite a lot. Adult males can grow over 2.73 m (9 ft) and weigh up to 350 kg (770 lb)[3]. Adult females grow up to 1.8–2 m (6–7 ft) and weigh about half the weight of the males, around 150 kg (330 lb). These sea lions are the most sexually dimorphic of the five sea lion species.

As its name suggests, the South American sea lion is found along the coast and offshore islands of South America. The endpoints of its range are Zorritos in northern Peru and Ilha dos Lobos in southern Brazil. Notable breeding colonies include Lobos Island, Uruguay; Peninsula Valdes, Argentina; Beagle Channel and the Falkland Islands.

South American sea lions prefer to breed on beaches made of sand, but will breed on gravel, rocky or pebble beaches as well. They can also be seen on flat rocky cliffs with tidepools. Sea lion colonies are more scattered on rocky beaches than sand, gravel or pebble beaches. The colonies make spaces between each individual when it is warm and sunny. They can also be found in marinas and wharves but don't breed there.

South American sea lions feed on a variety of fish including Argentine hake and anchovies. They also eat cephalopods, such as shortfin squid, Patagonian squid and octopus. They have even been observed preying on penguins, pelicans and young South American Fur Seals. South American sea lions normally hunt in shallow waters less than five miles from shore. They often forage at the ocean floor for slow moving prey but they will also hunt schooling prey in groups. When captured, the prey is shaken violently and torn apart. The sea lions themselves are preyed on by orcas and sharks.
roges, nglen, siggi, zulfu, boreocypriensis, ferranjlloret, nasokoun, pablominto, jcoowanitwong, CeltickRanger, tuslaw, jaycee has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 957 W: 0 N: 1329] (6264)
  • [2009-10-11 8:39]

Hi James,

A beautiful image.
What a splendid capture the colors and play them!
Have a quiet Sunday,
Adrian

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2009-10-11 8:52]

Hi James. Just about the right name for this picture. The South American Sea Lion has a face of an old man. Well seen and taken from the boat. Good detail in the skin with natural colours. TFS.
Nick..

great capture, TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2009-10-11 9:42]

Hello James,
A great shot of this sea lion,well captured with good colors and light,well done and TFS
Best regards Siggi

Verry sweet immage of this little-big guy.Well done.Regards.Alin.

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 685 W: 0 N: 2] (43)
  • [2009-10-11 10:10]

Hello James, a lovely shot of this cute sea lion.
TFS and R's,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2009-10-11 11:02]

Hi James,
Great expression and pose of this sea lion.
I have recently visited an Elephant Seal Colony on the California Coast.
Cute guy, if you can call such a huge creature cute!
Very sharp and nice composition.
TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2009-10-11 11:20]

Hello James,
Fantastic moment in a very good timing. Impressive cute moment. Excellent sharpness, details and beautiful matching colours, also in the OOF BG. Very good POV and composition.
Regards,
Peter

Hi Bro James,

Awesome capture of this cute fellow:) i love her facial expression so much.
TFS and have a nice new Week!
Cheers,

Bayram

Hola James,
Una captura increible, tanto por la mirada del anima que has captado perfectamente como por la bellisima ejecución consiguiendo unos resultados muy buenos. Muy interesante documento de ésta bella foca. Un abrazo cordial.
Buenos augurios por éstos mundos de Dios! Gracias por compartir tus hazañas.
Ferran

hello James
splendidly beautiful scene,exceptional photo output!
TFS
Nasos

Hello James,

Now that is a cute little face, expressing a tad of boredom I think..?!
Well framed and superb textures, DoF spot on results in a fine 3D effect...

Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2009-10-12 0:27]

Hi James,
Wonderful shot of this Sea Lion in a cute pose. Immaculate sharpness and details. I like the DOF and the composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Hi James,
Very nice picture and perfect title. Sharp and crisp clear image. Very well done.
JC

hello James

an excellent photo of the South American Sea Lion
shot with a fine POV at its level, fine focus great
sharpness and details, and a wonderful glance on you,

TFS

Asbed

Hi James,
That's a whole lot of sweetness captured in a single shot. Its that droopy look and the touch of the flipper that makes a heart melt.
Wonderful sharpness and superb isolation with the prefect DOF.
TFS,
Niek

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2009-10-22 18:12]

Super image James!!
From the look on his face he doesn't seem to have a care in the world. Wonderful detail and beautifully composed. The colors are very natural and the exposure is right on the money!!
Ron

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2009-12-11 15:14]

Hi James,

This Sea Lion is wonderful - he seems to be staring right at you. I love the expression on his face. Colors and details are excellent. He looks soooooo comfortable.

Jane

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