
Wild California Sea Otters,

remind me,

of floating koala bears.

Like koalas they have a laid back approach to life,

and don’t sweat the small stuff!

This pup is clearly embracing the parental philosophy.
Cheers to you from Moro Bay California’s wild sea otters~
Beautiful ππ
Grazie mille α
Love these!
So happy you do & thank you! α
Your close-up photos are the best I’ve seen of these sea otters. They look so adorable, and are indeed sea-koalas!
I am honored by your thoughtful comment. Thank you! α
The sea otters look so pretty in the water. Their brown fur matches so well with the blue waters. Thank you Cindy. π
I <3 my friends who <3 otters. So thank you! α
I absolutely love them! A favorite outing is a boat tour in Elkhorn Slough!
I love Elkhorn Slough! α
Too, cute, Cindy.
I love the pics you took of these adorable critters. Thank you!!!
Hugs to you Resa & thank you my friend α
β¦
They definitely know how to relax! π
Spending much of your day floating works for me too! α
They look happy and content, I would to if I could float in the ocean right now. π
Yes, if the water were warmer, I’d be there too!! α
These little guys are cute but they were eating all of the abalone and it was not available at an upscale CA restaurant because of them. I was young and on a business trip with Gene – I kept thinking – well they have to eat and I can enjoy another fish π
Glad U are not too down on sea otters.
While sea otters do eat abalone, they also eat sea urchins. W/o otters to keep the sea urchin population from exploding, a kelp forest is in peril (along with all its residents, including abalone).
Never down on these otters – it was a big issue at a large dinner party – just surprised me as I am from Michigan and to hear CA talk… just saying as abalone was a favorite there and it no longer was available – people were disappointed…
No worries. I understand. California coastal management practices have historically lacked logic and very hard for me to make sense of too α
Yes, the sea urchins eat the kelp hold fasts which destroy the forests which are vital ecosystems for so many creatures. Abalone species have been brought to the brink of extinction from over harvesting mostly by humans. When I was a kid, abalone could be easily picked out of tide pools and otter were never seen as they had been intensely over hunted. Lots of abalone, no otter. Now there are sea otters thanks to Monterey Bay Aquarium reintroducing them, and abalone are protected to try and save them from extinction. We are slow learners….. α
Yes, we are slow to learn about taking less than we want so that other critters (or other people) can get what they need.
I saw these adorable floating furballs when I visited San Francisco many years ago. They seem to know well the art of relaxation.
They definitely do know how to chill! π
How adorable are they, Cindy! Oh to be that chilled π π
It helps to watch them. It lowers your heart rate!! α
Otters are like the best happy pill! And they always make me think of Benedict Cumberbatch. LOL! Thank you for the boost of happy today! π
Laughing….They do look a bit like him, don’t they!! He seems like he might be a bit more of a toff-y type though. He’s more fine dining, while otters are drive-through, eat-on-your-bellies kinda guys π π
They are so cute!
They are adorable aren’t they! α
Wonderful!!!! π
Merci beaucoup mon ami α
You are very welcome! π
α
They are sweet critters!
They are wonderful, quite feisty and wild! α
The otters are delightful…thank you!
I <3 people who <3 otters June α
lucky dudes
They live life right! α
Great images.. So pretty ππΉ
Thank you very much α
I bet the water is warm and the sun is shining Cindy. I’d be laid back too in that case.
Leslie xoxo
It is warm and nice here now, but we have had the driest winter in ages, so drought and fires are just around the corner unless we get more rain.
I will pray for rain for you Cindy.
Leslie xoxo
Such cute critters, Cindy!
They are adorable aren’t they, and feisty too! α
I love it when I see otters when I’m walking along West Cliff Dr. in Santa Cruz.
A major thrill anytime you see them, I know! α
Delightful photos!
Thank you very much! α
A family that swims together, stays together. Brilliant captures – as always, my dear friend.
Hugs to you Rebecca & thank you! α
Precious. π
They are! α
the very first time my sister drove me down the coast of CA and I saw these wonderful animals I was enchanted and to this day, they bring a smile..I have not been back in a long time, still that memory lives on… Good evening dear friend, big virtual hugs from Canada..
I am so glad you feel about them as I do. I have lived all my life on the California coast and otters were hunted out of the sea for most my life. They used to live in great numbers all along the coast. Monterey Bay Aquarium reintroduced them to coastal waters and I am thrilled to the core every time I see them. α
They are the cutest thing ever. How adorable. Love them…wonderful photographs. Thank you so much.
Hugs to you Gigi & stay safe and warm α
These are so cute! They look so comfy in the water.
They are adorable creatures and there must have been about 20 pups! α
Love these little guys! Is it just me, or do the Californian clan look more relaxed than their Scottish cousins? .. or perhaps itβs Cindyβs love and appreciation embracing them that makes the difference.
I think itβs Cindy π thank you for this.
Sea otters are so adorable! <3
Yes, thank you Eliza, they are. They had to be “reintroduced,” since we killed most all of them.
I hope they are making a solid recovery, fingers crossed.
They’re ever so cute. Thanks for sharing Cindy. π
Thank you more for liking them.
Sea otters living the dream! I love it!! Do they engage in a lot of water play like their fresh water counterparts?
Yes, they do Liz. And their pond is bigger α
They must be a lot of fun to watch!
Otters are by nature very playful. You captured their moments of rest, Cindy. It is amazing how much they enjoy resting here with their back in the water.
Yes, they are amazing. Thank you Peter α
Just like koalas, sea otters look so cuddly… but I imagine they wouldnβt be thrilled if I tried to pick one up and hug it. Great pictures!
Yes. You are exactly right. They are wild and have good reason to distrust us α
Arenβt they lovely (and relaxed)? π
Yes. They live life in the moment, which means they sleep a lot! Smart critters π
Oh, so adorable! Thank you!
Thank you more for appreciating them Donna α
They are indeed cute. Years ago, I saw one dive, pop back up after a while, break open a clam on its chest and have meal floating just like the ones you photographed. Thanks for showing them to us.
I have seen this too. Amazing! They often use rocks and crack the clams open. α
I want to be a sea otter… beautiful images and post!β€οΈ
Thank you Liza and yes, spending your days floating works for me too! α
Beyond adorable! π₯°
They are otterable!! π
π
I love sea otters and these close-ups of yours are wonderful Cindy! They do indeed resemble koalas.π₯°
Thank you my friend, the mamas and pups are especially koala like… α
They look so cute! I love otters and was excited to see a European otter in our pond a few years ago.
How lucky is that! I would be thrilled to see a European otter. α
The sea otter is my new spirit animal! π
Too cute!
I think that is an excellent choice! α
They sure are cute, and their habits are fun to watch. I think sea koala is an appropriate name for them.
Thank you. You and I can start referring to them as this, and wait for the funny looks we get publicly! π
They make us smile, these fun lovers of the wild.
Yes. They are adorable α
haha, the best of all philosophies may be there is, moving over through the small stuff.
Hilariously humorous images and one after other sentences dear Cindy.
Nara
Now they truly know how to relax and take things as they come!
They are so so cute! π₯°
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Pictures by Cindy Knoke of Moro Bay California sea otters which seem a lot like Sea Koalas.
they are so cute π
Free time experts, they will never “hit the wall”….
Taht is a great comparison. those otters are as cute as koala. I do love their life philosophy and we need to adapt. π I love it how their pups cuddle them and lie on their parents. Just so lovely!
Awww, thank you for seeing the love my friend & cheers to you! α
That’s the first time I’ve ever seen a picture of sea otters floating like that and yes, they do look a bit like koalas in some images.
They are buoyant little guys and sleep bobbing in the waves! α
Cindy, I simply adore the otters. I remember taking my kids to Monterey Bay for a little vacation. We swam and kayaked alongside the aquarium, I’m not sure if that is allowed anymore. They were so friendly and felt protected there, It was only later that I learned they have a vicious bite… of course, most of us in the animal kingdom have some sort of survival instinct and when we feel threatened, seek to protect ourselves and our young. Lovely photos as always. xx
Monterey Bay is so wonderful. They are responsible for bring the otter back to coastal waters and yes, you can still kayak in the bay and the otters are there! So happy you and your children had this experience Lea α
So cute! Fabulous photos, as always Cindy
Aww, much appreciated Sheree & thank you! α
My pleasure Cindy
α
Lovely photos dear Cindy
Much appreciated, thank you! α
Lovely shots amusingly likened to koalas
Thank you Derrick & happy you enjoyed them α
Their water sport looks fun.π
Yes, they are very playful α
They’re so adorable!
So happy you like them & cheers α
Adorable!
Thank you so much Jennie, much appreciated, and cheers to you! α
You are welcome, Cindy!
α
I like your analogy as they are “sea koalas”. Is it universal ? To me, seals are water dos π
They are so adorable. I am wondering whether they are tame as they look? I think koalas are a bit more docile. I have heard on the news recently that one sneaked into a house and stayed on the family Christmas tree. That was a cute news.
Yes! I read that too. Koalas like trees, and maybe families, with an indoor Christmas Tree. How cool is that? Sea Otters are not as tame as they look. They face obstacles to survive, and they have to be smart and tough to do it. Doesn’t surprise me you know this. Stay well my friend α
I need to envision this/them on nights I can’t sleep. What a relaxing feeling they invoke.
Imagine yourself gently bobbing the the wavelets ass otters snooze around you……I’m gonna try this!!! π α
I actually thought of these little fellas the other night when I could not sleep. It made me smile. I love the bobbing idea.
I am so happy they made you smile α
I love otters, there’s something so cute and mischievous about them!
They devote significant amounts of attention to play, sleeping and eating. These are things I can fully relate to! π
Haha me too Cindy! π
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Charmers, Cindy! Do scientists know why they like to float in their backs like this so much of the time?
Hmmm….I would hazard a few guesses. Floating on your back requires minimal energy. They sleep as they float. They also use their stomachs as food prep areas, crushing clams and such, and their pups sleep on their tummies. They wrap kelp around themselves so they don’t float away from the group as they sleep, and sometimes hold hands, maybe for the same reasons. Maybe a biologist will chime in here and let us know…. α
Lots of reasons that make a lot of sense! Thanks, Cindy. How fascinating that they wrap themselves together with kelp!
They are amazing creatures α
Hurray for the laid back, cute, and playful otters! Thanks for the smiles Cindy. Cheers and hugs.
Cheers & hugs back to you Brad and stay well my friend α
Thanks Cindy. Otters offer a good reminder to play! π
They are α
Such a heart-warming post and a good reminder to not sweat the small stuff! π
β€οΈcarmen
Thanks Carmen. Some wise person said, “everything is small stuff!” π
You can’t help but love these guys, Cindy — they’re just so doggone cute, and their laid-back attitude makes them even more endearing!!
Plus, when they aren’t sleeping, they are either eating or playing. I relate well to this! π
So adorable!
Thank you, they are! α
So cute!
Happy you like them & thanks! α
These are OUTRAGEOUSLY gorgeous,,,
Laughing…..Agreed! And love your word pairing α
Yes, they really look like floating little Koala Bears. <3 So lovely!
Stay safe, dear Cindy!
Thank you my friend and you stay safe too α
The otters are SUCH a bundle of fun to watch! Thanks for the pictures.
Their play is completely therapeutic to watch and you are most welcome α
What a cute title for one of God’s cutest creatures! I wonder if He has placed something as cute as koalas and sea otters in every environment?
I suspect so. He creates beauty everywhere α
Wow! Simply otter this world, my friend. The best koala-ty shots as always β£β(βΰΈ±β‘ΛΰΉ)
Smiling… We otta be otters! α
Otterly, my dear friend! (βαβ)ββ΄Ρ΅β―β€
ααα
Adored these, Cindy!!
So happy you did Sheila & cheers α
Adorable. What a lovely time they are having. And the colour of the water – stunning! ππ
Sleeping, eating, playing all day, everyday, in the ocean. Whats not to love!!! π
You captured their essence and the color perfectly Cindy!~ β€οΈππ
Awww, I am touched you think so. Thank you Cindy & cheers to you α
You’re so welcome Cindy!!!! You sure did!!!
Cheers to you too!~π€π·
αα
I just came off the Lost Coast Trail where I got to mingle with the Elephant Seals. Not nearly as cute as these Sea Koalas
I have spent a lot of time with them and the pups. I think they are magnificent. They can move from zero to warp speed on land while seeming to sleep and look like a tub of butter. Considering their weight, this gets your attention fast! I remember seeing them from the water. The head came up and each eye looked like a dinner plate α
Deborah had a stuffed otter toy when she was little. π
Smiling….. α
So cute and cuddly. We humans could definitely learn a lot from their relaxed approach to life.
Yes we certainly could, but we tend be slower learners α
They are just delightful!
Yes! Exactly. Thank you Emma. α
I have never seen anything so adorable haha! That face, the way they float (and nap?!) and hold on to each other, are so incredibly cute. Lovely photographs as always, Cindy. Cheers.
Ahhh, thank you Halim. They hold hands and sleep! They are Ottorable!! Take good care my friend and it is always great to hear from you αα
Haha ottorable! That’s a good one! It’s always great to hear from you too my friend! Cheers, to you, Cindy.
ααα
Cindy, thank you for these lovely photographs!
You are most welcome Charles and the otters think you have excellent taste! π
So much fun. I really like otters, Cindy. βCurt
I’m happy you do. They are such endearing creatures α
What a perfect name for them. I have once seen them in Monterrey and my heart burst with joy. Such precious wee animals. None of my photos looked like yours…π
I so love that your “heart burst with joy!” How wonderful is that. And you. Be well Kerry α
Thank you, Cindy. Sea otters are just so dang cute!
Thank you Kerry. They are really special creatures α
They’re so lovely. Remind me of a wonderful movie (and book) “Ring of bright water”.
Amazing! Thank you. I read and saw both as a kid. It had a serious impact on me. Lovely to know you remember this too α
You did. Both! Splendid!
I still have the book, saw the movie, with Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers of “Born free” fame. I have tried to buy the movie. On-line, DVD. No dice. It would be a respite in those crazy days and bad movies and series…
Cheers Cindy.
I was also basically in love with ‘Born Free,’ ‘Living Free,’ and ‘Forever Free,” as a kid. These books and films inspired my continuing love of, and visits to, Africa. I keep hoping to see Elsa……. αα
They were part of my childhood too. Over there. I’d close the book and there was Africa.
Yes. I think traveling in one’s mind is the most amazing sort of travel. α
I later realized, when I “came back” to Europe, that I had in fact been living “inside” the book. I would read the Jungle book. Close it, and there would be a snake in the garden. The inside of the book was my “normality”.
That’s wonderful! I remember returning from Africa to London, I photographed African Geese in St James park, and fox cubs playing with their mother and stalking magpies out my hotel window. I was confused, thinking, didn’t I just come back from Africa, this is London!! π
It can be confusing. I tend(ed) to travel a lot between Mexico, France and Colombia. And every time I came back I was so adjusted to the local… customs, it would take me a few days to adjust.
Now in London parks there are Australian (or Brazilian?) parakeets. If global warming has it’s way, Holland will have palm trees on its beaches, so will Brighton. π΄
We are definitely living in a topsy-turvy world α
Which as always makes it difficult for those “iunside the model” to visualize what lies ahead. Yet, History teaches us that it may help the World change.
αα
I found the movie!!! Yeah. Should arrive next week.
Ok. Now I will too α
It’s on Amazon. But for some stranger reason they put forward a VHS version. π€ͺ So look below, it says DVD.
They are so beautiful Cindy and such amazing mothers.. lovely thank you..β₯
Ah, thank you Sally. They are amazing mothers! They hold tight to their pups which is so endearing, and wrap them in kelp when they leave to fish α
I could watch them for hours.. wonderful β₯
It would be fascinating to live near them and observe them daily α
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Thank you my thoughtful and kind friend Sally and be safe and well αα
Looks like it’s an otter’s life these days, lol π xx
We otta be otters!! π α
LOL yes! π x
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As always, Cindy your images are fabulous and the WP gremlins are still around I can’t like directly on a post…Happy Days…Have a great week and keep clicking π x
Awww, thanks muck Carol. Your kindness is so appreciated & I am sorry about those gremlins….. So annoying! α
Aren’t they just Cindy and no consistency either so indiscrimate about where I can like..go figure…lol…the laughter is hysterical x
I get it. Entirely. So sorry. You could contact the WP gremlins, I mean, “happiness engineers.” They are able to fix this. Stay well and safe α
I am working up to that…sigh… taking screenshots as I have lots of little niggles…x
Good for you. They always ask for screenshots, as if one is making the whole thing up…… Maybe if everyone said, “I have a large file of screenshots. I’ll send them all to you.” they would stop asking for them. π π Hang in there α
Haha.. Mine is heading in that direction..x
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I love sea otters. They look like they’re having fun. You take such great photos!
Thank you very much Sharon. I think otters are masters at play! We should all take lessons from them α
Beautiful, Cindy. Where I lived as a child there were otters living at the burn. They are so beautiful. xxx
How wonderful it must have been to grow up with these magical little guys! α
it really was. xxx
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I remember seeing them there. Lovely.
Happy you experienced them first hand! α
Wonderfulπ
They are! Thank you & cheers α
Thank you for the ADORABLE PICTURES. WHO COULD NOT LOVE OTTERS?! JOY XX.
Joy back to you & thank you α
And do I love them????? β₯β₯β₯β₯β₯
I <3 people who <3 otters! α
Love the Koala analogy with these little guys, they are playful somewhat more than the Koala who does nothing in a hurry, but it is lovely to see them relaxing in the water. Koalas normally do not go near water at all, as they only drink water during droughts getting all their moisture from the eucalypt leaves. Otters look such cudly and fun little guys, could easily have one for a pet π
I didn’t know this. Koalas sound like my feral, now tame, cat Herbert. There is no water he has ever appreciated. The place I was born in, and still live in, the southern-most part of Southern California, is covered with still germinating old eucalyptus forests. Here at The Holler, Eucs are so old and big , that when they swell with water, after it finally rains, they crash down and could do damage, if anyone was here. I have always trimmed eucs on all the places I have lived for this reason. The Eucs were planted here for wood for the railroads back in the early days. They wood tended to split, didn’t work for train tracks, but the climate worked perfectly for them. I consider them personal friends.
I LOVE it and I love the comparison to Koalas! Thank you!
I am so glad you do & thank you for letting me know α
Thank you for sharing!
αα
Wonderful, and you bring me back to 1999 and seeing sea otters on my one and only trip to California.
I am so glad you saw them! α
I know these guys are feisty in real life but they are awfully cute.
Reblogged this on ckbooksblog and commented:
Okay, who doesn’t like sea otters. They don’t look it but they are quite fierce animals.
They are fierce, and fuzzy, and otterly adorable! Thank you so much for supporting them & cheers to you αα