When you look at the first picture below, you may not notice the seals by the shore. It just looks like a scenic California beach.
But if you zoom in a little more, you can see Northern Elephant Seals, Mirounga angustirostris, scattered all along the shore.
I took these pictures at the Elephant Seal Vista Point near San Simeon, California. Visitors can view the seals at this rookery from elevated platforms and boardwalks. Volunteers from Friends of the Elephant Seal are there to answer your questions.
You’ll get great views of these large sea mammals. Females weigh up to 2,000 pounds, while males can reach weights of 7,000 pounds. That’s HUGE! The southern species, Mirounga leonina, gets even bigger. Males can weigh up to 9,000 pounds.
Once again, I’m sharing this picture of two content-looking sleeping seals.
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A I can say is: WOW!
Yeah, they were impressive!
Fantastic images of the elephant seals. My favorite is the pair in the final image.
Thanks, Beth! Yeah, the last one is one of my favorites. 🙂
Wonderful and amazing animals. You are lucky to see them Siobhan 😀
Yeah, I’d never seen them before. 🙂
Makes it even more special
Very cool how they blend in, my fav is the last one, looks like they are having a very happy snuggle!
Yes, they are well-camouflaged. I couldn’t resist showing that last one again. 😀
I’d never have picked them out until you drew attention to them!!
Yes, Marie, they looked like a bunch of driftwood at first. I guess the groups of females are called “harems.”