Pennipeds

  • California Sea Lion
    I haven't noticed as many of these lately as in the past, but they can usually be found along the coasts of southern California.
  • Guadalupe Fur Seal
    These seals were almost hunted to extinction for their fur, but are making a decent comeback now that they are protected. They have decent numbers at Guadalupe Island, 180 miles off the coast of Baja, Mexico and are spreading to other locations. Though the island is remote, it is a favorite hangout of Great White Sharks.
  • Harbor Seal
    I see these seals at various places around San Diego The two activities that I mostly observe is sunning on the beach and stealing fish from the lines of fishermen..
  • Northern Elephant Seal
    I've come across these huge seals in a couple different places along the coast of California.
  • Stellar Sea Lion
    I found this lone individual sitting on the floating bait barge in San Diego Bay.

Dolphins

  • Common Dolphin
    As their name says, these dolphin are very common off the coast of southern California and Baja California, Mexico.
  • Orca
    Coming back from a fishing trip to the Channel Islands off the coast of California I was amazed to find these "killer whales" off the stern of the boat. Though nicknamed a whale, they are actually the largest dolphin.
  • Pacific White-sided Dolphin
    I came across these dolphin just off the coast of La Jolla, CA

Tidepool Life

  • Anenome
    Looking like more of a plant than actually being an animal, these are found along certain coastlines here in San Diego.
  • Small Tidepool Fish
    These small fish (I believe they are Opaleye) sometimes get stuck in pools of water when the tide is low. Though small now, it is possible that they are fry of a fish that grows large.
  • Misc. Tidepool Life
    It is amazing what lives in the little pools of water that are left behind when the tides recede.

 

Whales

  • Beaked Whale
    I was lucky enough to see three of these shy and secretive animals near Guadalupe Island, Mexico.
  • Blue Whale
    These whales are thought to be the largest animal to have ever lived on Earth.
  • California Grey Whale
    From Alaska to Baja, Mexico, these whales migrate back and forth every year giving me a chance to see them.
  • Humpback Whale
    Large numbers of these whales migrate to Hawaii every year, where I saw these particular individuals.

Shellfish

  • Clams
    Here is one species of clam that can be found along the coast of San Diego.
  • Green-lined Shore Crab
    I've found these crabs all along the rocky coastlines, especially at low tide.
  • Hermit Crab
    These fun little cars are very colorful when they are outside of their shell, one that they use until they outgrow it and find something bigger.
  • Mussels
    These shellfish cover everything from rocks in the surf to pier pilings.
  • Shells
    Some of the shells that I have found while strolling along various shoreline. Once upon a time they were homes to living creature is something that can easily be forgotten.

Misc Ocean Life

  • Bat Ray
    These small rays can be found close to shore along the southern California coast and are probably the type of ray most responsible for stinging swimmers. Remember to shuffle your feet when touching the bottom and the stings can be easily avoided because given a chance these rays will flee.
  • Bat Sea Star
    Sometimes called a starfish.
  • Sea Otter
    I've been lucky enough to see these playful animals in multiple places around throughout California. They are probably my favorite non-shark animal that live in the sea. Sadly, their numbers are still lower than historical norms because they are so sensitive to environmental changes and damages.

Sea Turtles

I'm always happy to see these endangered animals. They just seem so peaceful and happy to be making their way through the oceans of the world.

  • Green Sea Turtle
    I've seen these turtles basking in the sun on a beach in Oahu, Hawaii. The best find was being able to volunteer with the research that is being done with animals that live almost secretly in the San Diego Bay.
  • Loggerhead Sea Turtle
    About 60 miles off the coast off Baja California, Mexico our fishing boat came across this individual turtle out in the middle of nowhere.

 

  

Fish

San Diego
Cool (if not outright cold) water is found along the coast of San Diego. Still, there are plenty of fish to see if you care to brave the temperature of the water.

  • Baitfish
  • Barred Surf Perch
  • Bonefish
  • Giribaldi
    The state fish of California.
  • Grunion
    These fish climb onto shore a few times every summer in order to lay eggs. The next high tide the new born fish will hatch and make their way down the shore to the sea.
  • Unknown fish from California waters
    Please send me an email if you can identifiy any of these fish.

Baja Mexico

  • Bluefin Tuna
    While on a fishing trip into the waters of Mexico we came across schools of tuna crashing out of the water chasing sardines while in a feeding franzy.
  • Pacific Green Mackerel
  • Top Smelt

Hawaii
Swimming among the reefs just off the shore of the islands of Hawaii is about as close as one can come to swimming in an aquarium.