Douglas Gerdts
April 2025 - La Jolla Sea Lions
About the Image(s)
I was recently in San Diego and went up the coast to the town of La Jolla where seals and sea lions gather and take refuge. It’s a protected area and the animals are completed undisturbed by humans and so they behave as naturally as can be seen on land. Most of the were resting, which they need to do at least 8 hours each day, and were oblivious to an audience. I was attracted to the bands of wildlife in the photo, the gulls in the foreground and the mammals on the rocks.
The photo was taken with an iPhone 16 Pro Max and slightly altered in Lightroom, cropped and colors enhanced.
13 comments posted
Douglas, it's nice to see an image like this so full of wildlife. The color of the water, seals, earth, turns and gulls with their orange beaks, are all processed well. I cropped the photo to focus my attention on the one area I keep gravitating to while viewing your original image, that is the dark-skinned seal. This helps me to still see the abundant variety of wildlife as well as the water and rock in the sea, but on a smaller scale. What do you think? Photo capabilities of today's iPhone continue to impress. Well done. Posted: 04/08/2025 14:21:09
Thanks Jim - really like the crop - and the focus on the one "alpha" in the crowd! Posted: 04/18/2025 20:07:43
Douglas, Love the way you captured the bands of wildlife and bands of color. At first glance the brown was so soothing that I didn't realize they were mammals. It's interesting to see the different behaviors in one shot. Birds seem a little agitated while the sea lions are so relaxed. Great wildlife story. Posted: 04/11/2025 17:43:15
Thank you! I like to think of it as another kind of "street photography"! Posted: 04/18/2025 20:08:27
LOL...indeed!! Posted: 04/18/2025 23:03:02
Douglas, I really like the photo. It reminds me of my vacations in America a long time ago. I also saw sea lions and seals. I like the seemingly untidy look of this image. But if you look closer, you can see a certain order. Some of the sleeping positions of the seals make me smile.
The colors look very natural and you've done a good job with the processing.
I would have liked a little more splashing sea water.
Posted: 04/12/2025 14:46:49
The colors look very natural and you've done a good job with the processing.
I would have liked a little more splashing sea water.
Posted: 04/12/2025 14:46:49
I agree about the water - feel like I could have added more - if nothing else to frame it.
Thanks for your comments! Posted: 04/18/2025 20:09:04
Thanks for your comments! Posted: 04/18/2025 20:09:04
Douglas, this is a nice photo of the sea lions and the layered approach with the birds in the foreground works well. I would like to see a little more of the ocean, though. As Jim said, it is amazing the photos we can get from our cell phones these days. I have been considering a trip to the San Diego area in the coming year or so and will try to save some time to visit this area. Posted: 04/14/2025 19:58:45
I read more and more about photographers leaving heavy equipment behind and relying on a phone and Snapseed!
Enjoy San Diego! Posted: 04/18/2025 20:10:07
Enjoy San Diego! Posted: 04/18/2025 20:10:07
Hi Douglas, I really enjoy the layered composition-the gulls, sea lions, and rocky textures create a beautiful natural rhythm. It feels peaceful and unposed, like a quiet window into their world. Posted: 04/15/2025 05:30:52
Thanks Linda - it was nice to be around animals/creatures in their natural habitat where they seemed oblivious to being watched! Posted: 04/18/2025 20:11:21
So much to love in this photo! I love the layers, the water, the sea lions, the rock and gull, and the terns.
Very well done! Posted: 04/18/2025 18:43:52
Very well done! Posted: 04/18/2025 18:43:52
You're very nice! Thank you -
Posted: 04/18/2025 20:11:35
Posted: 04/18/2025 20:11:35