So I Look Like an Elephant?

Not really…but…kinda…sorta…

The second day of my California adventure included a visit to Piedras Blancas rookery, where there were thousands of Elephant Seals on a stretch of beach near San Simeon.  I’ve been to High Island rookery many times but I’ve never seen a rookery like this before.  The seals were going through their molting phase but some were very cute none the less.  They have a great set-up with boardwalks along the top of the beach so that you can’t get on the beach but you can get some very close-up photos.

It was a very impressive site to see so many seals all in one location.  They were laying side by side which made for some interesting pattern shots.  Broke out the big lens to get close-up’s.  When one started moving, the other ones would get ticked off and a few fights broke out.  We were a few months late for mating season when the fights are much more intense.

You can get more details on this location and info on the seals on the link below.  A great place to visit if you are ever in this part of California.  I’ll definitely be going back.

http://www.elephantseal.org/

Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II on tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head, except the first photo as noted

1/640 sec @ F11, ISO 400, evaluative metering, 100mm with Canon 100-400mm lens

1/500 sec @ F11, ISO 400, evaluative metering, 500mm

1/640 sec @ F9, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation, 500mm

1/800 sec @ F9, ISO 400, evaluative metering, 500mm

1/500 sec @ F11, ISO 400, evaluative metering, 500mm

1/640 sec @ F10, ISO 400, evaluative metering, 500mm

1/400 sec @ F10, ISO 400, evaluative metering, 500mm

1/800 sec @ F11, ISO 400, evaluative metering, 500mm