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Steller Passion
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Steller Passion

by Gary Minish

Gallery: WildlifePosted August 16, 20182,154 views5 comments
Steller Sea Lions at the Valdez, Alaska salmon Hatchery. She was all over him and he was clearly enjoying it. A couple of their neighbors appeared to find the action interesting also.  I wish that I could have pulled a little more detail out of the shadows on the male Sea Lion but the contrast of the late, low light was so extreme that there isn't sufficient information.  I thought the behavior content was interesting enough to make it worth posting though.

Sony a6500, SEL100400GM @ 400mm, ISO-100 , f/5.6, 1/2000, hand held.

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by David Bogener on August 17, 2018 at 5:37 PM
Interesting behavioral image.  He does appear to be enjoying all the attention!  The OOF gulls help balance the composition.
Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments
Comment posted by Genny K. on August 19, 2018 at 6:45 PM
That is quite an scene.  You must know quite a bit about sea lions to know which is male and which is female.  That one in  the middle is clearly enjoying the attention, though.  Good one.
Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Sandor on August 20, 2018 at 10:11 AM
Gary: you've captured a unique and tender moment. From the few times that I've seen Stellar Sea Lions, their behavior would best be described as raucous, with the exception being the interaction of a mother and pup. Nicely done! Richard
Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Minish on August 20, 2018 at 3:59 PM
Genny;  When the Sea Lions are younger it's hard to tell the difference between male and female (unless they're out of the water).  When the males get older they typically develop a fairly thick mane and that main tends to be fairly dark. They usually are significantly larger also.  Although you can't tell in this photo, the male (with the dark mane) was actually quite a bit larger than the female.  When they're in the water they're like icebergs. All you're seeing is the "tip of the iceberg".
Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 25, 2018 at 9:35 PM
Interesting image, Gary with great interaction.  I think you have plenty of detail in the male.  I think if you tried to get more it would look too artificial.  Well done.
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments