August 2, 2003: Pacific Coast Highway, Day 2 (a)
I thought Monterey was all about aquariums and seafood, but it turns out to be all about seals. Or are these sea lions? Impossible for me to say. When I woke up from a restful night's sleep and walked outside, they were everywhere- lying in the boats, on the beach, even selling shrimp cocktail on the wharf. It was weird.
Comments
Oooh...sea lions!
Definitely sea lions. Note the external earflaps.
Clearly sea lions.
Also, seals tend not to venture on to land as much as sea lions -- seals can't rotate their back flippers like legs (the way sea lions can -- see those sealions in the surf that appear to be on all fours?), which makes terrestrial manouvreing somewhat more difficult for them.
Four years ago, driving opposite of Jake's current route (SFO-LAX), I too was astounded to find sea life right there along the PCH. I came upon the sea lions quite suddenly one dusky evening below Carmel. First, I smelled something funky in the air. Then I saw piles upon piles of what appeared to be wet logs on the beach, reminiscent of the Orgeon Coast. But alas -- they moved! I practically crashed my rent-a-Seabring in an effort to pull over, and couldn't stop smiling at the realization that the oceans are still alive! Thank goodness we haven't stamped out every last inch of American coast! Enjoy, my good man. And keep the pics comin'.
Great photos, Jake. You have a real eye for capturing the serene.
I want to take a sea lion home and keep him in my bathtub.
Hee hee - I would like a Sea Lion and I would call him Squishy and he would be my Squishy.
I would love to wake up like this! It seems magical to me to find those sea lions next to your door!
Leave a comment