Mature California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, sport a prominent sagittal crest, Monterey, CA.

California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, appears to have asian calligraphy when splashed, Monterey, CA.

A California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, on Weston Beach, Pt. Lobos State Reserve, CA.

Like a cat, California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, regurgiate undigestable food, as "pellets."

California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, regurgiated "pellets," are quickly set upon by sea gulls.

A California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, "porpoising."

A yearling California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, Monterey, CA.

California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, complain loudly, then go back to sleep a few moments later.

California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, take full advantage of limited real estate, Monterey, CA.

A yearling California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, fenced-off from the public, Monterey, CA.

A California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, repelling a submarine intruder, Monterey, CA.

A yearling California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, that climbed into the weeds, Monterey, CA.

California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, Monterey, CA.

California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, are suprisingly agile climbers, Pt. Lobos State Reserve, CA.

California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, Monterey, CA.

A California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, resting on a bed of corraline algae, Monterey, CA.

Healing cuts on the flipper of a California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, Monterey, CA.

An old bull California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, Monterey, CA.

California sea lions have nails on their rear flippers, a relic of the distant past, when their ancestors walked on land.

A California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, Monterey, CA.

A  California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, at the beginning of "porpoise" behavior.

A California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, Monterey, CA.

Even on land California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, automatically hold their breath while sleeping, Monterey, CA.

California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, are very social animals, Monterey, CA.

California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, are very social animals, Monterey, CA.

California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, are very vocal, Monterey, CA.

A California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, "porpoising."

A young California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, "porpoising," at full gallop.

California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, sense their surroundings through large eyes, and sensitive wiskers, Monterey, CA.

California sea lions often rest with a flipper sticking out of the water. It is their version of solar heating while inactive.

A California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, Monterey, CA.

A California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, Monterey, CA.

A California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, Monterey, CA.

California sea lions, Zalophus californianus,  are very social animals, Monterey, CA.

A young California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, "porpoising."

A California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, Monterey, CA.

The California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, Monterey, CA.

A school of anchovies keeping a security perimeter from a California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, Monterey, CA.

A California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, with a nice cushy granite pillow, Monterey, CA.