Female Steller's sea lion

From Botanical Beach, near Port Renfrew. This curious sea lion emerged out of the water to take a closer look at a small dog (on a leash) along the rocky shore.

I heard her huff as she exhaled before I spotted her.

 

Next you can name the marine algae.

 

And a close-up crop of her - I think the markings on her left shoulder look like a healed wound.

 

Most of what is in the photo is Laminaria setchellii, though a seagrass can also be spotted (likely Phyllospadix). And the floating bulb near the sea lion is bull kelp, or Nereocystis luetkeana.

 

Unlike typical seals (Phocidae), it has a visible ear, placing it in the family Otariidae.

Around here, we only get typical seals, mostly Grey Seals Halichoerus grypus - here's one (also a female).