Gazing upward in a giant kelp forest

Marine archaeologist surrounded by sea lions while studying the wreck of the S.S. CUBA.

Anacapa Island and lighthouse through the clouds.

An anchor from the SS CUBA encrusted with sea life.

Purple sea urchins give the impression of chrysanthemums covering a cargo windlass of the SS CUBA.

Tile flooring and sea urchins on the SS CUBA.

The triple-expansion engine of the CUBA covered with marine flora and fauna.

Windlass capstan and hawsepipe lay in disarray in the remains of the SS CUBA.

Delta submersible seen on surface in waters off Santa Cruz Island

Dan Basta, head of the National Marine Sanctuaries program, leading a group of scientists, educators, and science administrators on a tour of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary on board the vessel SHEARWATER.

Dan Basta, head of the National Marine Sanctuaries program, leading a group of scientists, educators, and science administrators on a tour of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

A sunstar (Pycnopodia helianthoides)

A magnificent sunrise looking east from San Miguel Island.

Lichen encrusted rocks adorn the cliffs of Santa Cruz Island.

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary vessel SHEARWATER at Cuyler Harbor, San Miguel Island.

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary vessel SHEARWATER at Santa Cruz Island.

A whale's tail as it begins its dive.

Dolphin cavorting in the Channel Islands.

An elephant seal dreaming elephant seal dreams.

Looking west from East Anacapa Island

Cliffs along Anacapa Island

Arch and islets between the various Anacapa islands.

A giant kelp forest in the Anacapa Island Landing Cove.

Looking west from East Anacapa Island along the sheer cliffs of the south side of the island.

Sunset in the Channel Islands

Driftwood in the dunes in the Channel Islands

Looking across the Santa Barbara Channel to the Transverse Ranges. Note the fog bank in Santa Barbara Channel.

Palm trees on the shore of one of the Channel Islands.

Kelp on sandy beach, a rocky outcrop, and emerald waves breaking on the shore.

An arroyo on Santa Cruz Island.

Beginnings of a sea cave or possibly an arch with a boulder beach in the foreground.

Mountains and shoreline typical of parts of the Channel Islands

Waves crashing into Santa Rosa Island produce an arc of spray.

A Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) sits among the coreopsis on Anacapa Island.

A Western Gull (Larus occidentalis)

A Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) sits among the coreopsis on Anacapa Island.

Buoy riding California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

Buoy riding California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis).

California gull (Larus Californicus) and chick.

California gull chicks (Larus Californicus).

California gull (Larus Californicus) and chick.

California gull chicks (Larus Californicus).

California gull chicks (Larus Californicus).

A large green sea anemone

A bat ray (Myliobatis californica).

Bat star (Asterina miniata) and purple urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus).

Bat star (Asterina miniata) and purple urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus).

Black and yellow rockfish (Sebastes chrysomelas).