Otter with crab by Sherry Brackett--probably a female because of the torn up nose.
All Pictures by Heidi Tiura
unless otherwise noted.
Harbor seal by Ed Hughes. Like to see what we're doing, but not to be seen. Quiet, no earflaps as sea lions have.
This is an aerial shot of dense masses of krill, major food for whales, fishes and birds. Slightly to right of center is an enormous basking shark. Note the lack of krill behind it. Eaten!
Photo by Kelly Newton
By-the-Wind Sailors or Velella velella These creatures are related to jellies but they're diatoms. They float on the sea catching wind with their sails. The one at bottom is upside down and that is a tiny fish that it caught and was eating when we netted it. Nearing the end of their voyage, By the Wind Sailors wash up on lee shores where dogs love to roll in them and snack on them.
Sea otters are seen throughout Moss Landing Harbor, often with their pups on their stomachs.
Moss Landing has a population of
about 80 otters. They hang out near our boats, feeding on mussels from pilings and keeping an eye on things.
Photo by David Tillotson
California sea lions abound on the Monterey Bay. These two seem to be putting on a spectacular water ballet
in the harbor.
Photo by Phil Bickler
Fluke and Rumba took their jobs very seriously. Both rescued in their teens, they found a new life as ambassadors for Sanctuary Cruises and were shamelessly fawned over.
Giant leatherback turtle. Its mouth looks like The Joker from Batman. These creatures can live to 100 years of age and grow to over 6' long. We usually see them summer into fall.
