When I say lions, I am referring to Sea Lions. I saw a large group of them (I estimate over 50) on a recent trip to Vancouver Island. They were occupying a floating structure about 150 to 200 metres from the shoreline. It is in an area that has several oyster farms so the structure may have been used by the oyster farmers before the sea lions moved in.
"Sea lions are pinnipeds characterized by external ear flaps, long fore flippers, the ability to walk on all fours, and short, thick hair. Together with the fur seals, they comprise the family Otariidae, or eared seals." (Wikipedia)
The Stellar and California Sea Lions occupy the West Coast, as far as I can determine the main difference between them is size. I am betting these were Stellar Sea Lions.
This one seems to be happily asleep in a very odd position:
Many of them were asleep and I thought some of the expressions were priceless.
See what I mean?
This one seems to have issues! He starts barking ....
And then these guys get started ....
... and before you know it everyone is in on the act.
And one ends up getting pushed into the water.
And this big guy gets the last word for now ...
But seeing them is only part of the experience. You need to hear them too, I thought, so I took some videos as well. To really get an idea of watching them up close you should create the right "aroma", maybe open a can of sardines and park it in front of the screen as you view the videos. Here are 3:
When you have an itch ....
... well you just have to scratch.
Here is a view of some the sea lions on their floating home.
Here is an article with more information about sea lions that live and/or visit the coast of British Columbia.
Oh no someone has started again ....
Can't a guy get some sleep!
Oh, please .......... not again
Full song again ....
Many are asleep here but they also eat, and quite a lot too, they have a particular taste for herring at this time of year.
"Sea lions consume large quantities of food at a time and are known to eat about 5–8% of their body weight (about 15–35 lb (6.8–16 kg)) at a single feeding." (Wikipedia)
Some of the sea lions were swimming or just floating in the water, some also appeared to be asleep in the water.
Another short video:
They can be very noisy, and not just in the daytime, and being on the water the sound carries ... a long way.
I made mention of bears too. Well there was a bear making its rounds close to where we were staying, but usually at night, and if it were not for the scat left behind we might not have known.
Still on the subject of bears, I have recently finished a painting of a bear; the teddy bear kind. It is a watercolour called "For Me?"
Well it's craft fair season and I will be selling cards, prints and some original paintings at the Delbrook Craft Fair in North Vancouver on November 18 and December 2, so guess what I have been doing recently?
More details on this next week.
One more thing, my friend Jochi is having a sale (2 for 1) on his large framed photographs. Drop by his website and have a look.
That`s it for this week, thank you so much for dropping by, I love getting your comments.
Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next week ......
