July 28, 2014

Hwy 1 Roadtrip: The Elephant Seals of San Simeon

Be very glad smell-a-vision does NOT accompany this post.  From 24 seals in 1990 to over 1700 seals today (on this stretch of beach), this was a pullover worth beholding.  These seals are fascinating – their floppy ways, their epic flatulence and belching and snoring, their sand baths, their ENORMOUS size, and their battling for mates.  Totally. Fascinating.

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4 comments:

Tracy P. said...

Funny how relaxing it is to just watch animals being their unapologetic selves. Love how you captured the little nuances, and also how you captured you and Big Dude. I think he would follow you anywhere.

Anonymous said...

I'm curious now that there are 15,000 seals, if they are all reproducing, what happens when there are too many?..."thinning" the population?, how and by who?
Up here near Portland, Or,seals or walrus, (can't remember which) were gathering near Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River and I believe Fish and Wildlife got permission to shoot some as they (it was believed) were eating too many salmon.
mm,vancouver,wa.

Kimberly June said...

We visited this amazing spot last summer... I too am glad smell-o-vision hasn't been added to blogger yet. That was a smelly spot! Great photo's though... they are such funny creatures.

Unknown said...

They are so cute. How close can you get to them?
The selfie of you and Big Dude is smashing.