Año Nuevo Elephant Seals: Pescadero, CA
Jan 26, 2015 21:48:33 #
Breeding season. The alpha bulls fight for breeding rights; the females give birth and nurse their young. They bask in the sun conserving energy ... as they don't eat while breeding and birthing. They're not handsome, but their natural instincts earn my respect. The bulls are massive averaging 5,000 pounds.
Alpha Bulls
Mother and Pups
Alphas Fighting
Jan 26, 2015 22:13:08 #
Great shots of Mirounga angustirostris, otherwise known as Smellefant Seals or Mirounga stinkarostris, because they smell so bad. Some well known marine mammal biologist have said about this species: "it's the only animal that I've known that smells better dead than alive". QED
Jan 26, 2015 22:47:29 #
No one noticed nor commented on the odor. But I've heard the southern variety are quite smelly ...
Jan 27, 2015 00:09:01 #
LPigott wrote:
Breeding season. The alpha bulls fight for breeding rights; the females give birth and nurse their young. They bask in the sun conserving energy ... as they don't eat while breeding and birthing. They're not handsome, but their natural instincts earn my respect. The bulls are massive averaging 5,000 pounds.
Beautiful shots particularly the last one. Shows really nice action.
Jan 27, 2015 09:39:16 #
Great shots. It would be so interesting to sit and observe them for an afternoon.
Jan 27, 2015 09:50:43 #
Exactly! I went on an hour tour earlier this month, then asked if I could return to spend more time. Last weekend they opened up opportunities to spend all morning or afternoon. Most visitors were photographers loaded with powerful gear.
Jan 27, 2015 09:52:45 #
ebrunner wrote:
Beautiful shots particularly the last one. Shows really nice action.
Thank you, ebrunner and Linda!
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