Mexico - Baja California

Baja California, the most western state of Mexico, is a long peninsula located between the Pacific ocean on its west side and the Cortez sea on the East side.
This part of the globe is a real paradise for big pelagic fishes, and divers can often encounter sharks, mantas, orcas or whales among others.
Sea lions are another species that can be easily found from Cabo San Lucas to Cabo Pulmo and up to La Paz. The playful behaviour of their juveniles generally offer great pictures opportunities to underwater photographers.

Airplane
Young California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) passing by like an airplane at Los Islotes in the Cortez Sea (La Paz - Mexico)
Sun shade
After more than 15 years of absence, reef Manta rays (Mobula afredi) are finally back in La Paz (Cortez Sea - Mexico)
Palmitude
Young California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) coming to show off at Los Islotes in the Cortez Sea (La Paz - Mexico)
Aspiration
Young California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) looking at the surface at Los Islotes in the Cortez Sea (La Paz - Mexico)

Curious
Curious young California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) coming down from the surface to look at divers at Los Islotes in the Cortez Sea (La Paz - Mexico)
Sleeping beauty
Female California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) having an underwater rest at Los islotes in the Cortez Sea (La Paz - Mexico)
Patrol
Male California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) swimming below a school of sardines at Los Islotes near La Paz in the Cortez Sea, Mexico
Twist
Curious young California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) twisting itself to look at divers at Los Islotes in the Cortez Sea (La Paz - Mexico)

Donut
Female California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) scratching at surface and looking like a big dounut silhouette. Shot at Cabo Pulmo in the Cortez Sea (Mexico)
Colours
Mexican hogfish (Bodianus diplotaenia) at Los Islotes in the Cortez Sea (Mexico)
Jump
Munk's devil ray (Mobula munkiana) jumping out of water near the shore of Baja California (Mexico)
Baja whale
Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) diving near the shore of Baja California in the Cortez Sea (Mexico)

Playing
Two young california sea lions (Zalophus californianus) playing together near surface at Los Islotes, near La Paz, in the Cortez sea, Mexico