Blue Crab Yo-Yo Photography

On a chilly night in San Diego a bunch of us went on a quick boat ride to see the sea lions on bait docks.  They were loud and lazy and made me laugh.  You can also see pelicans and herons hanging out with them too.  According to The Marine Mammal Center male sea lions average 850 pounds and 7 feet in length.

I’m not sure what to say? I think they are beautiful and natural, but also wonder about my sanity?  Some dead, some alive, these ‘squatters’ were in the store front window of an Annapolis building being turned into a restaurant.  If its any consolation:  this building has been abandoned since 2007.

A few shots from Shelter Island in San Diego, CA.  A vibrant sunset and a huge pelican (the first I have ever seen up close!)… It’s like color therapy for us East Coasters who are experiencing the cold and gray days of fall already!

A Great Blue Heron snacks on a baby Rockfish, the Maryland state fish.  It’s wild to see that these two creatures have the same eyes and expression.  National Geographic says herons can cruise up to 30 MPH.

According to encyclopedia.com there are more than 300,000 types of beetles.  This colorful guy was found hanging out at a gas station in New Mexico.  They are found everywhere except in oceans.

Eastport, Maryland.  ”Mute swans were introduced to North America in the late 1800s as decorations for parks, zoos and private estates. Between 1910 and 1912, over 500 mute swans were imported from Europe and Asia. However, a small number of these birds escaped into the wild.” Chesapeake Bay Program. In the background you can see the Bay Bridge and Navy Training Ships…

Photograph of the Giant Leopard Moth or Eyed Tiger Moth with a  wing span of 3-inches.  On a road trip to New England I spotted this giant on the curb of a gas station.

According to National Geographic “the term ‘peacock’ is commonly used to refer to birds of both sexes. Technically, only males are peacocks. Females are peahens, and together, they are called peafowl.”

Kori hides between shower curtains.  He is a lovely creature.

Spring is finally here!  Below is a photograph of a large ant colony outside on a sidewalk.  Worker ants live for up to seven years and the queens of some species living more than 25 years.  Mating season, and when ant colonies are at their height, is usually from June to August.  However, this photo was taken yesterday, so I am not sure what they are doing?  If you know, please feel free to comment.

Found in Munich, Germany, this snail was saved-not stepped on.  A snail is a hermaphrodite and is part of the mollusk phylum family.