Galápagos Sea Lions

The Galápagos Sea Lions of Gardner Bay are generally placid and very approachable: you just have to watch out for the big Beachmasters.

The trouble with wet sea-lions, however, is getting the camera to auto-focus on them!

Gardner Bay is a lovely sandy beach which is ideal for families, who are free to wander, swim, build sand-castles or sunbathe - in amongst the sea-lions. The sea-lions are totally habituated: sometimes they show a vague interest in the human 'intruders', but most of the time they just keep on loafing or get on with their lives regardless.

The sea lions love to swim right up to you and veer away at the very last moment. A bit disconcerting when they are swimming straight towards your face.
This picture of me snorkelling with a sea-lion was taken by John Muddeman.