Ready for a dip

  

We paused for a picnic lunch in northern Sonoma County today (30 August 2025) and noticed a very large sea lion on an offshore rock. 

With a closer view, we could see that it was a Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus).  Note the paler fur color and the shorter snout (relative to California Sea Lion).

After a few minutes, the sea lion lumbered down the rock face to a low corner.  Note the very long flippers: 

 

 

 

 

 

The sea lion was perched on the edge of the rock, but we sensed that it might not be in that position for very long:

 

 

 

 

I thought the sea lion might continue moving down along the rock towards the edge of the water, but instead it launched (!) off the rock and dove directly into the water:  

 

 

 

Even along the coast today it was warm enough that I considered doing the same thing!