23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
A sea lion resting its head on another sea lion on a pier piling

I was walking down a harbor pier when I heard barking coming from below my feet. I looked over the railing to see a sea lion trying to lay on another sea lion while it protested. They were sunning themselves on an exposed pier piling. Eventually both sea lions got comfortable, and I took this picture of them resting peacefully.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Avila Beach, California, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D40X
Copyright: © Sydne Aguilar