Diving with Sea Lions

[Youngster Dan]

Went diving the other day with sea lions at Race Rocks ecological reserve, just outside of Victoria.

It was definitely a unique life experience. My dive buddy got some amazing photos, so I figured I might as well share!

Waiting for slack tide, as the current really, really rips through here.

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt311/YoungsterDan/309811_10150912997605276_847315275_21401200_382296 130_n.jpg

Going down in the kelp forests...

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt311/YoungsterDan/383120_10150912997170276_847315275_21401196_760728 365_n.jpg

I felt my first lion before I saw one, it came up from behind me and nibbled my fins. But typically you would see them come out from the depths and then join us to play.

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt311/YoungsterDan/298781_10150912997860276_847315275_21401203_185137 0639_n.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt311/YoungsterDan/313131_10150912997775276_847315275_21401202_161048 8766_n.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt311/YoungsterDan/390822_10150912998055276_847315275_21401205_176814 2797_n.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt311/YoungsterDan/375224_10150912995845276_847315275_21401179_141668 0009_n.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt311/YoungsterDan/380553_10150912995960276_847315275_21401180_209863 6411_n.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt311/YoungsterDan/379947_10150912998740276_847315275_21401211_203628 6336_n.jpg

This guy snuck out of nowhere and gave me a little surprise (hence a lot of bubbles!)

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt311/YoungsterDan/390512_10150912999075276_847315275_21401213_954690 31_n.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt311/YoungsterDan/378823_10150912998270276_847315275_21401207_112159 9948_n.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt311/YoungsterDan/309690_10150912998415276_847315275_21401208_731254 790_n.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt311/YoungsterDan/300726_10150912996120276_847315275_21401182_614940 015_n.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt311/YoungsterDan/301031_10150912998565276_847315275_21401209_184328 8179_n.jpg

I had the video camera going, so once that is all edited I might as well share as well! Thanks for looking :)

[Delphinus]

Wicked man.. that's awesome!

[sphelps]

Man that water looks cold! Really cool though :mrgreen:

[babyreef]

BLANK

[RCFA]

Wow nice pics! Vis looks great! They sure seem bigger when they are right in your face hey, you have to keep reminding yourself that a lot of it is due to refraction, but they are big animals and very at home underwater! Good Job!

[fishoholic]

Cool

[saltcreep]

It is an awesome experience. I can't for this weekend on Hornby Island with them.

[lastlight]

I'd be worried they'd mess with the tank or something... wow they really get personal.

[Youngster Dan]

Thanks for the comments everyone :) I would be lying to say that I was cool as a cucumber down there. I don't think I will ever forget the experience of jumping in the water, and being at the surface knowing that they are right bellow and around you. That and you can hear them on their rock (and smell them, they stink!)

I found they were very similar to dogs. Granted, they are gigantic fast moving dogs. Every one had a different personality, and the same group kept on checking us out throughout the whole dive. All we did, was get to the bottom and wait for the lions to come to us (which took no time at all!).

My dive buddy had one grab her snorkel on a previous trip and rip her whole mask off. Needless to say, we didn't wear snorkels this time. Mostly they were interested in my fins, and occasionally the cameras.

[Lance]

That's so cool! Thanks for that.

[RCFA]

Can't wait to see the video. how do you like the Fusion?

[Youngster Dan]

Can't wait to see the video. how do you like the Fusion?

It's the only dry suit I have ever owned/used. So I can't really make a good comparison. I love it though, I find I can move around just fine and it keeps me nice and dry!

[Youngster Dan]

http://vimeo.com/31986018


Here is the video :)