Scourge of the seas: This California Sea Lion emerges from the deep briny in search of its next victim.

Or rather, the sea lions are already here. And a few of them never left. Nevertheless, today marks the start of the 17th season of sea lions at Pier 39's K Dock in San Francisco. Like the swallows returning to Capistrano every year, our frisky pinnipeds are begining to congregate in larger numbers. Today's official count was 236, which is much less than the 1000 or so individuals expected later this year.

A few more shots after the jump.