Bruce Benson
July 2025 - Sea Lion
About the Image(s)
Taken at the Bluffs near children's beach in La Jolla, California. I a make a trip to La Jolla every February to see the brown pelicans, seals and sea lions that gather to have their babies. It is a very cool place to visit with many opportunities for photographers. Along with the bluffs, the sea lions and seals take over a smal cove that was developed for children to swim in shallow calm waters.
Canon 1d MK 4/ /Canon 800 5.6
F 5.6/ 1/800/ISO 1600
9 comments posted
Bruce - This is (another) great image! The tones and highlights on the sea lion and the rock, and the blurred background are all fantastic and, of course, it's a great moment to freeze - just before the leap into the deep. If this were my image, one thing I might play with is the rear flipper, which is very dark. Have you tried to lighten that area? The darkness of that flipper tends to pull my eye away from the sea lion's eye and face, so seems potentially distracting. Posted: 07/04/2025 11:23:24
Thanks Richard, You comment about lightening the back flipper is why I enjoy being part of this group. There are so many things we can learn from each other I did not even notice the flipper. Thanks for the suggestion, will see what I can do. Bruce Posted: 07/06/2025 20:59:51
Is nature, things are what they are... Posted: 07/09/2025 00:25:57
Bruce, peak of action, a second before jumping. Image is sharp. The colors are very vivid. The dark flipper does not bother me. This is not a studio created image. Posted: 07/09/2025 00:27:26
Bruce - This is a great capture! The tension of the moment just before the sea lion jumps into the water is palpable. Sharp eyes, great color. I wouldn't change a thing. Posted: 07/13/2025 16:23:18
Hi Bruce,
What a great encounter with the sea lion! I really like the dynamic tension in the image, with the sea lion almost leaping into the water. The warm tones of the light work beautifully with the blue of the sea, and the clarity and detail are captured so well.
The dark flipper could perhaps have a bit more detail, but it doesn't bother me, the image is still very strong overall. Posted: 07/13/2025 19:58:45
What a great encounter with the sea lion! I really like the dynamic tension in the image, with the sea lion almost leaping into the water. The warm tones of the light work beautifully with the blue of the sea, and the clarity and detail are captured so well.
The dark flipper could perhaps have a bit more detail, but it doesn't bother me, the image is still very strong overall. Posted: 07/13/2025 19:58:45
Hi Bruce, thanks for mentioning that the Bluffs near the children's beach in La Jolla is a great place to photograph sea lions, seals and shore birds in February. I visit family there but have not been to this area of the children's beach. Will keep this in mind the next time I'm there.
This is a superb action image of a sea lion and the color and the details of the water and rock add much value to the story. Posted: 07/14/2025 20:35:50
This is a superb action image of a sea lion and the color and the details of the water and rock add much value to the story. Posted: 07/14/2025 20:35:50
Thanks Maria, A visit to Childrens Beach is well worth it. Bruce Posted: 07/14/2025 22:48:09
Bruce - this is simply lovely! Yes, a well time action shot, but it's the light on its face/upper body that makes it standout to me - well done! Very sharp with good information of the sea, waves and rocks. Great! Posted: 07/21/2025 13:12:51