Monday, June 6, 2011

Elephant Seals from Up Close

We were looking forward to seeing elephant seals on our recent trip to Central California, but I personally didn't expect much. My experiences with wildlife always seem to involve lots of chasing around and a reward of a brief view of someone's backside rapidly disappearing from sight.




























As we were walking toward the beach, I knew I was right this time too. We could see nothing but water and bare rocks. Then we came closer and were rewarded: a seal in the water! We briefly saw its head and I pointed it out to the boys. OK, now we can go back and truthfully say we have seen an elephant seal.


 And so I was completely unprepared for what awaited me when I looked down from the promontory jutting out over the beach.


After the initial shock passed, I thought they looked rather like holiday-makers at a popular beach.


Packed neatly in rows, like sardines in a can.


























I could just imagine the row: "You are squishing me! Get off my tail!".

The old skin is brown and comes off in patches. The new skin is gray. Even though they are supposed to lie down quietly to conserve energy, male seals just can't help fighting. That's the way men are...
Seals come here every year to molt. They have to change all their skin at one time because growing new skin requires lots of blood flow close to the outer skin layers. When seals are in frigid water, they cannot do that because they would lose heat quickly.

Hmmm.... To eat or not to eat, that is the question
Because they cannot go in the water for long when they are molting, they spend up to a month on the beach fasting. They go into periods of apnea when they stop breathing to conserve moisture (they get moisture with food), and sometimes put some sand over themselves to cool off.



























My kids were ecstatic, saying it was the best day of their lives. I must say it is a great experience to watch wild animals from up close, in their natural environment, just doing what they are supposed to do. It reminded me that we are part of a bigger world, and it is comforting to know that there is room in it for all of us, whatever our shape, size, or color.

30 comments:

  1. Definitely agree about there being room for all of us .... so long as some of us dont try to take up all the room!
    I've never seen live seals. It must've been such an experience for your kids!

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  2. I can see why the kids said that. It was an incredible experience and one I would enjoy. I cannot imagine the claustrophobia in these groups, no wonder the males are always cranky.

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  3. Oh Masha ~ What a wonderful post!! The color scheme is so great with the elephant seals too. How great for you and your kids to experience this part of the elephant seals lives.

    This was thoroughly enjoyable and had me smiling.

    What a lovely thought at the end too.
    ** we are part of a bigger world, and it is comforting to know that there is room in it for all of us, whatever our shape, size, or color. **

    Have a great week ~ FlowerLady

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  4. Fantastic photos, Masha !!! I would be ecstatic too, in front of those beautiful animals...

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  5. Excellent photos. Сокровища.

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  6. You are right, Sunita, we shouldn't be greedy!

    Donna, yes, it was a bit claustrophobic, and several males together usually means a fight :)

    Thank you, FlowerLady, it was such an amazing sight to see.

    Thank you, Dani, I am glad you enjoyed it.

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  7. Thank you, Irina, I am glad you liked them!

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  8. Twoje róże są przepiękne, ale oglądanie tego zobaczyłeś i nam pokazałeś, to było cudne przeżycie.Dziękuję i pozdrawiam serdecznie

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  9. Thank you, Giga. It is nice to take a break from roses every now and then :).

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  10. Masha excellent pictures!!
    Many years ago I have been in Carmel and I remember the same animals near the coast..?It will be possible?
    Ciao from Italy! Have a nice week!
    Monica

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  11. Grazie, Monica. Seals do come to Carmel, although I haven't heard that they stay there in such big numbers.

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  12. Hi Masha,

    What an experience of such a convoy seals in the wild to see.
    Nature shows us the greatest view and then ... we are only spectators.
    Impressive photos. Thanks.
    Dear greetings, Elly

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  13. OMG, these are great! We just saw the walruses at the NY Aquarium and my reaction was the same. Just LOVE them! But your pix are FAR more glorious than mine LOL. And I love your captions too! Isn't nature the BEST entertainment?

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  14. Thank you, Elly, great comment.

    Cathy and Steve, thank you. I am glad you liked this post, and you are right, nature does provide the best entertainment.

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  15. Just an exciting and interesting adventure! Many years ago I also got the chance to see the seals in their environment, during an unforgettable trip to Peru.
    Beautiful shots!

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  16. Grazie, Dona. Lucky you to have seen Peru. Maybe one day I will get to go too...

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  17. We run into colonies of harbor seals like this in Maine in the summer, but they are much more shy and head for the water before we can get close. Fabulous photos especially with the one scratching his chin in thought.

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  18. Thank you, Carolyn. Interesting how different their behavior is. When they molt they are stuck on the beach, so they have to be there people or no people...

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  19. This is something that I would definitely enjoy. Your photos are really stunning! I love them all.

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  20. The most interesting post I have read lately. All photos are unbelievable,so harmonious with nature.

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  21. Ha ha, they do remind me a little of their human counterparts. They look so funny laid out like that. I'm happy for your family that there were so many ~ so much more than a token sighting!

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  22. Thank you, One. Maybe one day you can come and visit.

    Olga, thank you. I am glad you liked them.

    Sweetbay, they do, don't they :)? There were thousands of them on the beach, more than enough to make us all happy.

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  23. Masha, you and the boys were truly rewarded with such an experience. I have to repeat what others said, your pictures are terrific.

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  24. Thank you, Alistair, and that's OK - I still like to hear it!

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  25. How amazing! What a wonderful experience to see these great creatures of the sea. Truly a spectacular sight!

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  26. Thank you, Holley. Yes, it was a great experience - we are thinking of going back one day...

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  27. amazing, fantastic. Grey on grey, so different than your roses!

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  28. Thank you, megimoher. You are right, it is not as colorful as usual, but still interesting, I hope.

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  29. Interesting post with beautiful photos! I enjoy reading your small narrative about elephant seals. Now I can say I learned something new today.

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  30. Thank you, Olga. I am glad you did.

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I am so glad you have stopped by!