December and January are two of the best times to visit the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. We have visited the rookery several times but this was our first visit at this special time. Unlike the rookery at Ano Nuevo, here no reservations are required. A large parking lot and viewing walkway are on a bluff just above the beach.
There are two beaches at the rookery. On this beach are the males who failed to win breading rights.
They posture and fight with one another but it will do them no good. The females are on the other beach where the dominant males have staked their claim, fighting off the competition.
On this beach are the females and the new pups.
The lord of this section of beach, a dominant male.
The pups will nurse for about four weeks then the mother will mate with one of the dominant males and leave. The pups will remain on the beach for 8 to 10 weeks, fasting. Eventually they will make their way into the water.
To learn more about the elephant seals check out this
site. Here you can find more information, the best times to visit and a webcam so you can see what is happening now. Once nearly hunted to extinction these creatures are now found in several colonies. They are a part of our world.
You can find other views of our wonderful world at
"Our World, Tuesday"
