Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Colony

A few of the photos taken on a recent trip to the Elephant Seal colony on the California coast  at the Piedras Blancas Seal Rookery  Unfortunately due to some recent poor weather conditions the bulk of the seals had not yet arrived at the rookery. But those young males that were around were practising their sparring all along the shoreline. The weather on the day was the best I’ve seen it there clear skies and no wind. Which made a change as normally it’s shrouded in mist this time of the year.

10 Interesting Facts About the Seals

1. Adult males and young male seals haul out during June to August to molt.
2. Whilst the females and juvenile seals molt during April to May.
3. The Northern elephant seal is the largest seal in the northern hemisphere.
4. Male seals live for approximately 14 years; females may live to be over 20.
5. An adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes. 
6. Elephant seals spend up to 80% of their lives in the ocean.
7. Male elephant seals can hold their breath for longer than almost any other mamma.,
8. The gestation period for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. 
9. Orcas are the seals main predators. Large sharks and Leopard seals have also been known to attack and kill young seals.
10. By the end of the 19th century Elephant seals were hunted to the brink of extinction. Since then numbers have recovered.

As the tide was out it was difficult to get close really close images of the seals on the beach, however the local ground squirrels and a Red tailed hawk were more obliging.