Puppies of the sea… This California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) was captured in the act of fetching this tan star (Phataria unifascialis) at Los Islotes. Sea Lions are in the pinniped order of animals which are "eared" seals. The ears are well hidden and are only represented as small nubs on the side of the head, which are folded back during swimming to reduce drag through the water column. They are extremely well adapted to life in the water and can maneuver with great ease utilizing their flippers, which are modified forelimbs. Being very playful and curious about divers this one was in the mood for a game of fetch and approached the camera at blazing speed only to stop 3 inches infront of the the lens. Their tapered body form has evolved over the years to reduce frictional drag from the water. Spending a great deal of time submerged in the water has resulted in the trend for marine mammals to produce a layer of insulation beneath the skin known as blubber. One only wonders with such an encounter what is going through the sea lion's mind as you look into its expressive eyes… I think it might be on the order of "boy this is surely a clumsy swimming human".