Elephant Seals at Ano Nuevo State Park

We are so lucky to have Ano Nuevo State Park less than an hour away! It is one of the largest mainland breeding colonies in the world for the northern elephant seal. You've got the entire drama in this shot: massive males (up to 2.5 tons), smaller females, and pups (including, unfortunately, a dead one in the bottom right corner). The survival rate for these little guys isn't good, and one of the hazards is being run over by an aggressive adult. 

During the breeding season, access to the preserve is by docent guided walk only. Groups of about a dozen people hike the four to five mile round trip across the sand dunes to the beaches where thousands of animals congregate. The soundtrack is constant barking and bellowing as individual adult males jockey for dominance in the harem, females try to protect their babies, and young beta males try to work the system. It's an incredible gift to be allowed to watch all this unfold, especially on a gorgeous sunny day.