Elephant Seals

Last week, while on vacation in California, I visited an elephant seal rookery near San Simeon. At first glance the beach appeared empty and we started to wonder what we were doing on such a cold and windy beach. Fortunately we just had to walk down the beach a short distance to find a whole group of seals resting in the sand.

Elephant Seal Rookery

The interactions between the seals were fun to watch. Most of the seals didn't move very much but those that did could only move by wiggling in short bursts. Other seals seemed quite content shoveling sand on themselves with their back flippers.

Flinging Sand 

We quickly learned that August is fighting season for the males. The battles never lasted for more than a few seconds but they were incredible to watch. 

Two Bulls Fighting

Fighting Male Elephant Seals

The differences between the male and female seals was immediately apparent.  The males were significantly larger than the females. One of the info graphic signs on the beach said that the males can reach sixteen feet in length and weigh over 6000 pounds. The females can reach a length of 10 feet and can weigh near 2000 pounds. 

Female Seal

Male Seal

View Down the Beach