2010 06-24 SB Channel

Lunge-feeding Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) that showed its tail, and a cute female yearling California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) gets released back into the wild after being rehab'd up at CIMWI. A calm and glassy day with overcast skies -- magical!

A majestic Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) wades in the calm, shallow waters of West Beach, Santa Barbara.
Ardea herodias 2010 Harbor 014
A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) comes in for a gentle landing.
Ardea herodias 2010 Channel 028
A very young female California Sea Lion (#23043) takes a peek at the ocean again after a couple of weeks of rehab up at the CIMWI (Channel Islands Marinie and Wildlife Institute) rescue center in Gaviota. The young lion had been begging fishermen for food and apparently became accustomed to this style of dining. It was captured and relocated out to sea, but quickly swam back and this time got out of the water and started going around the Port Hueneme neighborhoods in search of free meals. It was then taken-in by the CIMWI staff, fed a natural fish diet, and today was released in a cove full of other sea lions at Santa Cruz Island. This is image 1 of 4.
Zalophus californianus CIMWI juv female released 2010 Sta Cruz Isl 017
A closer look at the young sea lion preparing to take a leap back into its natural environment.
Zalophus californianus CIMWI juv female released 2010 Sta Cruz Isl 008
Hard to resist those dark eyes and long vibrissae...but back to nature she must go!
Zalophus californianus CIMWI juv female released 2010 Sta Cruz Isl 011
Parting image of the rescued sea lion as she swam freely in a tranquil cove at Santa Cruz Island.
Zalophus californianus juv female Macrocystis CLOSE 2010 Sta Cruz Isl 034
A Blue Whale sends out a bow wake as it rises to the surface to breathe.
Balaenoptera musculus bow wake 2010 Channel 024
Blue Whale tail fluke waterfall #1.
Balaenoptera musculus tail fluke 2010 Channel 015
Blue Whale head and spout.
Balaenoptera musculus spout 2010 Channel 006
Dorsal fin and right flanks of a giant Blue Whale.
Balaenoptera musculus dorsal fin 2010 Channel 012
Blue Whale tail fluke waterfall #2.
Balaenoptera musculus tail fluke 2010 Channel 028
Image 1 of 3: A lunge feeding Humpback Whale gulping Krill (Thysanoessa spinifera) on the surface. If you enlarge this image you can see the individual crustaceans leaping out of the water -- "resistance is futile!"
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding mouth open CLOSE 2010 Channel 031
Image 2 of 3: A lunge feeding Humpback Whale gulping Krill (Thysanoessa spinifera) on the surface.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding mouth open CLOSE 2010 Channel 032
Image 3 of 3: A lunge feeding Humpback Whale gulping Krill (Thysanoessa spinifera) on the surface.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding mouth open CLOSE 2010 Channel 034
A close up look at the knobby tubercles and head of a friendly Humpback Whale.
Megaptera novaeangliae knobby head 2010 Channel 013
A Humpback Whale spout - close up look.
Megaptera novaeangliae spout CLOSE 2010 Channel 014
A small sea geyser beginning to shoot up into the air....aka, a Humpback Whale close up shot.
Megaptera novaeangliae mini spout CLOSE 2010 Channel 023
Wide and beefy - a Humpback Whale tail.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail 2010 Channel 003
Young bull California Sea Lion soaks up the afternoon sun in Santa Barbara Harbor.
Zalophus californianus young adult male bait barge 2010 Harbor 010

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2010 06-24 SB Channel