That project focused specifically on the Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve and the San Diego-Scripps Coastal State Marine Conservation Area<\/a> \u201cto showcase what this area is, what it is protecting and why future protections are needed.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking to continue and expand that mission, Kazden started taking photos as the sun was coming up.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I did the first photo series, I would capture all these cool moments, but I realized thousands of other people were always there to see the same things, and the wildlife would react and be a little on guard,\u201d he said. \u201cSo I wanted to get around the crowds and see what the animals were like when they weren\u2019t being bombarded by people. So that meant the early morning \u2014 the very, very early morning. Seeing them as Mother Nature intended, unbothered, makes it so worth it to wake up that early.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n He said he appreciates seeing the animals interact with one another and \u201cjust be wild.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a whole other story to see them when people are there vs. when they aren\u2019t,\u201d Kazden said. \u201cThis time of year, with the sea lion pups and their moms, seeing them spend time together was really special. It was really cool to see the mothers and pups be so calm and be able to explore their surroundings without fear of people being too close to them.\u201d<\/p>\n The new photo series comes as the city of San Diego takes measures intended to keep people and sea lions apart<\/a> at The Cove, including increased ranger presence, new signs and occasional use of cones to serve as visual deterrents.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kazden said he appreciates those measures but thinks more could be done.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThere is plenty of room where the lifeguard tower is for viewing [wildlife], so it\u2019s not a lack of places for viewing, it\u2019s people wanting to get close,\u201d he said. \u201cI think those that want to swim there can enjoy and do their thing, but if people are just there to see the wildlife, they should stay [near the lifeguard tower] to view them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n He said the larger signs installed recently are a good start, though \u201cpeople might not read them.\u201d <\/p>\n He added that having more rangers onsite is \u201cawesome\u201d but \u201cstricter enforcement and maybe even ticketing is needed,\u201d as well as ongoing public education.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kazden grew up going to national parks and said a love of animals is \u201cin my blood\u201d because of his parents\u2019 involvement in wildlife-related causes in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n \u201cI started bringing my camera on hikes or any time we were around nature,\u201d he said. \u201cI realized it was all fun, but I started to wonder what I could do besides post them on Instagram. I wanted to tell a story and help the wildlife that I\u2019m [photographing].\u201d<\/p>\n Find out more and view Kazden\u2019s photos at instagram.com\/amazingwildlife__m<\/a>. \u2666 <\/p>\n \t\t\t![\"La](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ljl-l-kazden-sunrise-2.jpg\")
La Jolla resident Matthew Kazden captured an image of a sea lion pup nursing as part of his series of photos centered on La Jolla Cove at sunrise. (Matthew Kazden)<\/p>\n