Elephant Seal Gallery
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Elephant Seals
| Resting up for hard months at sea |
| Northern bluffs at Piedras Blancas. |
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Each winter on the Central Coast, a large colony of northern
elephant seals assembles on the beaches at Piedras Blancas.
Elephant Seals are rare and endangered; the Central Coast is
fortunate to host two major rookeries; Piedras Blancas and Ano
Nuevo.
While hauled out onshore, Elephant Seals provide a great
opportunity for any photographer. Their large size and lazy land
habits make it easy to get a good shot.
Many phases of Elephant Seal life are observable at Piedras
Blancas. They rest, breed, fight, sleep, swim, give birth, learn
and play.
Elephant Seals are a sensitive species. Please do not
approach, touch or interfere with them in any way. This stresses
the animal and is forbidden under Federal Law. Piedras
Blancas is part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
and the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act protects
elephant seals and all other marine mammals from
harrassment of any kind.
Elephant Seals can also become extremely dangerous if they
feel threatened.
elephant seals assembles on the beaches at Piedras Blancas.
Elephant Seals are rare and endangered; the Central Coast is
fortunate to host two major rookeries; Piedras Blancas and Ano
Nuevo.
While hauled out onshore, Elephant Seals provide a great
opportunity for any photographer. Their large size and lazy land
habits make it easy to get a good shot.
Many phases of Elephant Seal life are observable at Piedras
Blancas. They rest, breed, fight, sleep, swim, give birth, learn
and play.
Elephant Seals are a sensitive species. Please do not
approach, touch or interfere with them in any way. This stresses
the animal and is forbidden under Federal Law. Piedras
Blancas is part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
and the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act protects
elephant seals and all other marine mammals from
harrassment of any kind.
Elephant Seals can also become extremely dangerous if they
feel threatened.
All of the close-up photographs on this page were taken
using a Canon Powershot Superzoom digital camera.
They were taken by Charles MacKinnon from the bluffs of
Piedras Blancas, California.
Central Coast Gallery
using a Canon Powershot Superzoom digital camera.
They were taken by Charles MacKinnon from the bluffs of
Piedras Blancas, California.
Central Coast Gallery
| This shot shows the distinctive fins. |
| Elephant seals are curious, and will look into the lens. |
| A young juvenile male |
| This juvenile is a year or two older |
| Showing the protective eye membrane |
| Juveniles spend a lot of time at play. |
| Look into rocky pools for good shots |
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