The bull Elephant Seal is a massive mammal. The Southern Elephant Seal male adult can weigh more than two SUVs at up to eight thousand pounds and have an overall length of 20 feet. These behemoths reside in Antarctica. The images below are of California’s Northern Elephant Seals and can weigh a mere 4,000 pounds or one large SUV. It’s mating season currently along California’s coast and a male can have up to 50 females in his harem. They have just returned from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska where they bulked up on squid and other ocean delicacies. They have the ability to dive up to a mile below the ocean’s surface for as long as two hours. Of course, it’s obvious where they received their names.
Great post. Did you take them at Ano Nuevo Park?
Thanks, No, these were taken at Piedras Blancas just north of San Simeon.
Ah thanks for letting me know. I saw elephant seals for the first time on vacation at Christmas and just thought they were awesome! You have some great shots of them.
Thanks again!
They are so homely, they’re artistic in an odd way. Bravo for accomplishing that!
They are not as cute as your cats though!
Sometimes, being cute isn’t enough to excuse certain behavior … spent half the day fixing the poor cat tree – it is now attached to the wall using one of the things normally used to hang TVs on the wall.
I think they would scare me to death! I expect these were taken with a very long lens? 😉
They don’t move fast but they are mostly at the bottom of a bluff and can’t get to the top.
Yow! Scary lookin’ creatures.
Good thing they don’t move like Grizzly Bears. Grizzlies really scare me!
Fantastic photos! You really captured the immensity and uniqueness of the elephant seals.
Thanks Jet!
Amazing creatures.
This is probably the 8th time I’ve stopped at this place to photograph these guys! Next time I will do some video to capture the funky sounds they make.
Good for you. I would do the same thing if I was near them! I just love unusual animals. And I am so glad they are doing a better job of protecting them from traffic.
Amazing creature, diving 1 mile down the ocean! Thank you for letting us see the details, Micheal.
I have missed your recently posts from my reader… 😕
Your welcome Amy, not sure why you don’t see my posts on Reader.