DOCUMENTARY
Female elephant seal
were scarce , while wildfires on land created a thick smog that hampered safety at sea .
For a few days the winds changed , as did the team ’ s fortune . “ We were out at sea and we were surrounded by sea lions ,” Sarah says . “ They swim like Olympic athletes , speeding through the water , turning it white with foam . As we looked ahead , humpback whales appeared , then suddenly fish leapt out of the water followed by a massive mouth – a lunging humpback . Working with scientists , we were able to use suction-mounted camera tags on the whales , allowing a whale-eye view as they charged in to feed . As we watched the banquet – sea lions , whales , and dolphins feasting , all within sight of the shore – we were reminded why we were filming here . Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary really is a special place .”
■ Our Great National Parks is out now on Netflix . �
California sea lion
The rugged Monterey coast
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