S is for Sea (and Sea Critters)

This week we explore the S-ence of

Denise Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday round 3
and ABC Wednesday Anth0logy.

These pictures were all taken between Pacific Grove
and Monterey, California last year.

Waves bathe the rocks south of Monterey.

Harbor seals on protected beach below Hopkins Marine Research Station
maintained by Stanford University.

Closer view of harbor seals.
They apparently appreciate the safety of a beach
surrounded on the land side with a wire mesh fence.
They are free to come and go to the open ocean,
as their beach is completely open to the sea.

Those little specks on the island rock are cormorants

Smaller rock, also with cormorants.
The gull to the left of the rock gives an idea,
by comparison, of just how large cormorants are.

Another cormorant rock just beyond the edge of the cliff.