For you vegetarians:  a close look at a giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) cluster or paddy that was drifting free on the open ocean.
Phoca vitulina in Macrocystis paddy 2013 01-21 SB Channel-008
Phoca vitulina in Macrocystis paddy 2013 01-21 SB Channel-007
A drifting kelp paddy made up of giant kelp and bull kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera and Nereocystis lutkeana) floats on a glassy ocean surface.
A freely drifting open ocean giant kelp debris paddy (Macrocystis pyrifera) hosts numerous California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and a flock of gulls (Larus sp.).
Larus heermanni on Macrocystis drift paddy 2012 11-23 SB Channel-010
Zalophus californianus under Macrocystis paddy 2012 10-28 SB Channel-031
Phoca vitulina and Larus on Macrocystis paddy 2012 09-26 SB Channel - 001
A Heermann's gull (Larus heermanni) rests on an open ocean drifting giant kelp paddy (Macrocystis pyrifera).
For you vegetarians: a close look at a giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) cluster or paddy that was drifting free on the open ocean.
For you vegetarians:  a close look at a giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) cluster or paddy that was drifting free on the open ocean.
For you vegetarians: a close look at a giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) cluster or paddy that was drifting free on the open ocean.
See photo in original gallery.