Elephant Seals

[Bob Israel]

While in San Simeon, CA, we stopped at the Elephant Seal sanctuary. What fascinating creatures. We watched males jockey for position and try to win over some femaies. Mothers were nursing their young. It was fun to watch them all interact.

#1

#2

#3

@4

#5

#6

#7

 

[Roger Bailey]

It's a great place to spend the day, or two. Always something going on! Great Photo's!

 

[Bob Israel]

Thanks Roger! Wish I had that kind of time. I spent roughly 45 minutes. Could have stayed longer but the winds were gusting in the 40s blowing sand in my eyes (and camera)!

 

[JimFox]

Hey Bob, you got some really great shots here. It is a really fun place with so much interaction going on. It's fun to watch the various family dynamics.

All of these are winners, but I will pick out #2, 3 and 5 as ones that stand out.

I pretty much always stop by here when I go up the coast. You aren't too far away, so maybe you will get a chance to get up there again before you leave. And being right on the coast when the wind is blowing like it is for us now here in California, it's not fun at all. I always carry a pair of safety glasses that I can wear to keep the sand out of my eyes in those conditions, but when you start feeling the sand in your mouth and it's like you are chewing on sand paper when you swallow, it's probably time to wrap it up for the day.

 

[AlanLichty]

Cool looking critters - in spite of their overgrown proboscises. Jimmy Durante was a slacker compered to the males here

 

[Bob Israel]

Hey Bob, you got some really great shots here. It is a really fun place with so much interaction going on. It's fun to watch the various family dynamics.

All of these are winners, but I will pick out #2, 3 and 5 as ones that stand out.

I pretty much always stop by here when I go up the coast. You aren't too far away, so maybe you will get a chance to get up there again before you leave. And being right on the coast when the wind is blowing like it is for us now here in California, it's not fun at all. I always carry a pair of safety glasses that I can wear to keep the sand out of my eyes in those conditions, but when you start feeling the sand in your mouth and it's like you are chewing on sand paper when you swallow, it's probably time to wrap it up for the day.

Hey Jim thanks! Safety glasses would have been a great idea. We had sand in our mouths, ears and hair. Felt like we were rolling in the beach. Didn't know we were close to you but it will have to wait until next year . . . we leave for MN on Friday . . . fortunately, after the current 2 feet of expected snow.

 

[Bob Israel]

Cool looking critters - in spite of their overgrown proboscises. Jimmy Durante was a slacker compered to the males here

Thanks Alan. Funny you mention Jimmy Durante . . . that was the first thing that came to mind . . .

 

[Ben Egbert]

Great set of these sea creatures

 

[Beth]

that's a face only a mother could love. cool series!