A young California Sea Lion gets up close to the camera off the coast of Santa Barbara Island, Channel Islands Marine National Park. These youngsters are playful and energetic and seem very excited whenever we would show up with a boat full of snorkelers. I was charged many times like this and every time the sea lions would alter directions staying just out of hands reach. Every once in a while you could hear them barking underwater as they charged as bubbles came out of their open jaws.
I always wondered why there were no sharks attacking the young pups. That was until we witnessed a massive great white shark attack a full grown sea lion about two miles off of this same rookery. After seeing these sea lions in action underwater its amazing a shark could ever catch one. They are the epitome of grace and agility with a child-like curiosity and playfulness that sparks the imagination.
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