2012 08-25 San Miguel Island

Part of a series in which 2 playful long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) pull some shenanigans in the waves. Vertical format version.

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Part of a series in which 2 playful long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) pull some shenanigans in the waves. Vertical format version.

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Part of a series in which 2 playful long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) pull some shenanigans in the waves. Horizontal format version

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Part of a series in which 2 playful long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) pull some shenanigans in the waves. Horizontal format version.

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Part of a series in which 2 playful long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) pull some shenanigans in the waves.

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Part of a series in which playful long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) pull some shenanigans in the waves. Horizontal format version

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A long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) seen in crystal clear water.

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A giant blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is escorted by a small pod of Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli).

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The tiny dorsal fin of a giant blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus).

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A spouting blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus).

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A giant blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is flanked by a tiny Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli).

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The left side of a giant blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus)...so long it's hard to get the whole beast in one frame.

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Balaenoptera musculus 2012 08-25 SB Channel-021

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Two Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) on the move.

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Condor Express people get a great close up view of a Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli).

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Pinnipeds on a secluded beach west of Cuyler Harbor, San Miguel Island. The large animals on the dry sand in back are northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and the (by comparison) small brown animals are California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

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Pinnipeds on a secluded beach west of Cuyler Harbor, San Miguel Island. The large animals on the dry sand in back are northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and the (by comparison) small brown animals are California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Sea lions are seen climbing on, and sleeping on the backs of giant elephant seals.

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Pinnipeds on a secluded beach west of Cuyler Harbor, San Miguel Island. The large animals on the dry sand in back are northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and the (by comparison) small brown animals are California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

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Pinnipeds on a secluded beach west of Cuyler Harbor, San Miguel Island. The large animals on the dry sand in back are northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and the (by comparison) small brown animals are California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

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Pinnipeds on a secluded beach west of Cuyler Harbor, San Miguel Island. The large animals on the dry sand in back are northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and the (by comparison) small brown animals are California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

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Pinnipeds on a secluded beach west of Cuyler Harbor, San Miguel Island. The large animals on the dry sand in back are northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and the (by comparison) small brown animals are California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Sea lions are seen climbing on, and sleeping on the backs of giant elephant seals.

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Pinnipeds on a secluded beach west of Cuyler Harbor, San Miguel Island. The large animals on the dry sand in back are northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and the (by comparison) small brown animals are California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Sea lions are seen climbing on, and sleeping on the backs of giant elephant seals.

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Pinnipeds on a secluded beach west of Cuyler Harbor, San Miguel Island. The large animals on the dry sand in back are northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and the (by comparison) small brown animals are California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

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Pinnipeds on a secluded beach west of Cuyler Harbor, San Miguel Island. The brown animals are California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

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Boats in Cuyler Harbor anchorage, San Miguel Island.

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An old nesting box or bird condominium was built many decades ago on Prince Island, San Miguel Island to help the Cassin's Auklets (Ptychoramphus aleuticus) breed.

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Caves and cracks - Prince Island, San Miguel Island. A lone Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) is seen hauled out on the rocks to the left.

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Sand dunes, Cuyler Harbor - San Miguel Island.

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Sand dunes, Cuyler Harbor - San Miguel Island.

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Pinnipeds on a secluded beach west of Cuyler Harbor, San Miguel Island. The large animals on the dry sand in back are northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and the (by comparison) small brown animals are California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

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Near the west end of San Miguel Island.

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Near the west end of San Miguel Island.

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