Sail Island in Frederick Sound in the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska.
Sea Lions are very aggressive and territorial and often fight for the mates.
The sea lion in the center is branded with an "H" and is a female which was branded as a pup at Hazy Islands rookery in 2001. She went on to produce a pup at her birthplace in June 2009. (Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
The branding is done under anesthesia by the ADF&G Steller Sea Lion Program and the National marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML) to help determine survival and reproductive rates over time. This research will help to determine reasons for the decline in population of these animals.