California sea lion rookeries during pupping season are similar to an unchaperoned party of preschoolers.  On this very early morning dive, I did my best to steady myself next to a shallow, kelp-covered rock while a mass of sea lion pups bombarded me enthusiastically from all angles. One pup in particular was quite a showoff, demonstrating his advanced sea lion skills such as blowing bubbles, inspecting my port, and biting on kelp strands.