Animal planet is one of my favorite TV channels. When I was in high school, I was completely addicted to it. Now I am out of my 'addiction', but still love watching the channel. Discovering the wild secrets and peeking inside the world of animals is both fascinating and adorable. Wild, adorable, and magnificent, is the definition of animal world for me. So how much I am scared of dogs and do not really like to be in close proximity with animals, I do love them and like to know about them. Therefore, I like going to well-maintained zoos, or watch birds, and butterflies, frogs, insects and deer during some walks in the nature.
When I was planning this San Francisco visit for work, I was also happy to get a chance to explore a new city besides being busy with work. I always love traveling. And guess what my main attraction or interest was? No, it is not the famous Golden Gate Bridge. The Pier 39 sea lions were what I longed to see. Of course, I was also excited about the Golden Gate Bridge and planned to enjoy all other sites this colorful city has to offer. However, Pier 39 sea lions were on the top of my list. I wished to visit them before anything else. The first weekend after reaching San Francisco was rainy. As the sun shone the next weekend, I ventured out with all excitement to make friends with the sea lions.
Maybe some changing climate (? 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake) forced the sea lions to make the west Marina of Pier 39 their home. And then, the abundance of food and protected environment helped in their flourish until soon there were hundreds in the docks attracting tourists. However, in 2009-2010 the number of sea lions dropped down drastically for unknown reasons. Now, even though they have started returning, their community is not as big as before.
It was a bright sunny crisp Sunday and tourists filled the streets. Pier 39 was a cheerful assortment of all sorts of colors, sounds and activities. Shops were inviting and busy, people were busy walking around or sitting down lazily enjoying some fast food, live performances were going on. Finding my way through the colorful maze, I reached by the sea. White yachts and private boat lined the bay, Alcatraz island was in front of me. Sea gulls were flying and floating around making sharp calls. It was time for pictures and to admire the blue sea. Suddenly I noticed a sea lion in the sea. Away from others, it came out in the bay to explore and play around. Then soon it disappeared in the waves as a cruise boat passed by. Some animal sound was becoming distinct among all the noises, and as I walked ahead, the noise grew louder, like almost a barking sound. Cheering of people now joined in the sound. It is coming from the sea lions, I happily realized.
Crowds gathered at the edge to look at these adorable pinnipeds. There were around a hundred or so of them spreading over several empty docks. Most of them were lying and enjoying the nice sun. They were lazying around on top of each other oblivious of their surroundings. Some were busy swimming around, and going from one plank to another exploring them. Some were engaged in playful banter.
One was lying by the edge of the plank with its front flipper just touching the water. Gently playing with the water, it was lost in its own thoughts. Often they sat up, slowly scratched their chin, changed position, and then went back to sleep. Their lazy mood perfectly suited the lazy Sunday atmosphere.
Suddenly one started making sound, and others joined him one by one. Stirring the quiet air their loud 'unk unk' sound echoed around. And then, like it had started abruptly, their calls soon faded. It was such fun to watch these sloths walk over each other and go to the other side of the plank. Some liked to slide down in the water to enjoy a cool swim and then moved on to another plank for a rest. Or, it just went to a plank and put its front flippers and head up, observed for a while and then continued swimming.
One of the sea lions maybe wished some time alone and moved to an empty plank. It just got ready to enjoy a lonely rest, when another one joined in. Instantly the first one was annoyed. It wished the whole plank for himself; after all, he had got there first. So, he started to push this newcomer, frightening him with loud cries. The newcomer of course also did not give up so easily. And there started a fight. The timid newcomer however could not keep on holding to its position for long, and was soon pushed into the water. Instantly, the entertained crowd burst into a loud clap. The victorious sea lion turned around with an air of pride. However, now there was a sea gull to bother him. Amused by the previous fight this sea gull had come to enjoy the fight from close, and was sitting on the further edge of the plank. The sea lion barked long and loud enough until the sea gull was forced to fly on top of a nearby pole. Finally alone, this sea lion now laid down for its solitary rest.
I captured the sloth yet playful creatures in their several moods and poses. I also took a few short videos, as still pictures cannot do proper justice to these adorable characters. Slowly, I moved behind from the edge of the pier and gathered myself on one of the elevated platforms. I just sat there and looked ahead, relaxed and happy. In front of me was live Animal Planet. The sea lions continued their idle playful day....
When I was planning this San Francisco visit for work, I was also happy to get a chance to explore a new city besides being busy with work. I always love traveling. And guess what my main attraction or interest was? No, it is not the famous Golden Gate Bridge. The Pier 39 sea lions were what I longed to see. Of course, I was also excited about the Golden Gate Bridge and planned to enjoy all other sites this colorful city has to offer. However, Pier 39 sea lions were on the top of my list. I wished to visit them before anything else. The first weekend after reaching San Francisco was rainy. As the sun shone the next weekend, I ventured out with all excitement to make friends with the sea lions.
Maybe some changing climate (? 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake) forced the sea lions to make the west Marina of Pier 39 their home. And then, the abundance of food and protected environment helped in their flourish until soon there were hundreds in the docks attracting tourists. However, in 2009-2010 the number of sea lions dropped down drastically for unknown reasons. Now, even though they have started returning, their community is not as big as before.
It was a bright sunny crisp Sunday and tourists filled the streets. Pier 39 was a cheerful assortment of all sorts of colors, sounds and activities. Shops were inviting and busy, people were busy walking around or sitting down lazily enjoying some fast food, live performances were going on. Finding my way through the colorful maze, I reached by the sea. White yachts and private boat lined the bay, Alcatraz island was in front of me. Sea gulls were flying and floating around making sharp calls. It was time for pictures and to admire the blue sea. Suddenly I noticed a sea lion in the sea. Away from others, it came out in the bay to explore and play around. Then soon it disappeared in the waves as a cruise boat passed by. Some animal sound was becoming distinct among all the noises, and as I walked ahead, the noise grew louder, like almost a barking sound. Cheering of people now joined in the sound. It is coming from the sea lions, I happily realized.
Crowds gathered at the edge to look at these adorable pinnipeds. There were around a hundred or so of them spreading over several empty docks. Most of them were lying and enjoying the nice sun. They were lazying around on top of each other oblivious of their surroundings. Some were busy swimming around, and going from one plank to another exploring them. Some were engaged in playful banter.
One was lying by the edge of the plank with its front flipper just touching the water. Gently playing with the water, it was lost in its own thoughts. Often they sat up, slowly scratched their chin, changed position, and then went back to sleep. Their lazy mood perfectly suited the lazy Sunday atmosphere.
Suddenly one started making sound, and others joined him one by one. Stirring the quiet air their loud 'unk unk' sound echoed around. And then, like it had started abruptly, their calls soon faded. It was such fun to watch these sloths walk over each other and go to the other side of the plank. Some liked to slide down in the water to enjoy a cool swim and then moved on to another plank for a rest. Or, it just went to a plank and put its front flippers and head up, observed for a while and then continued swimming.
One of the sea lions maybe wished some time alone and moved to an empty plank. It just got ready to enjoy a lonely rest, when another one joined in. Instantly the first one was annoyed. It wished the whole plank for himself; after all, he had got there first. So, he started to push this newcomer, frightening him with loud cries. The newcomer of course also did not give up so easily. And there started a fight. The timid newcomer however could not keep on holding to its position for long, and was soon pushed into the water. Instantly, the entertained crowd burst into a loud clap. The victorious sea lion turned around with an air of pride. However, now there was a sea gull to bother him. Amused by the previous fight this sea gull had come to enjoy the fight from close, and was sitting on the further edge of the plank. The sea lion barked long and loud enough until the sea gull was forced to fly on top of a nearby pole. Finally alone, this sea lion now laid down for its solitary rest.
I captured the sloth yet playful creatures in their several moods and poses. I also took a few short videos, as still pictures cannot do proper justice to these adorable characters. Slowly, I moved behind from the edge of the pier and gathered myself on one of the elevated platforms. I just sat there and looked ahead, relaxed and happy. In front of me was live Animal Planet. The sea lions continued their idle playful day....
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