Ano Nuevo

Yesterday, Nick and I stopped at Ano Nuevo State Reserve to do the hike out to see the Elephant Seals. It was a warm sunny day, and the surf was big. Below is the distant island with remaing house and lighthouse buildings. The only occupants now are Elephant Seals and Sea Lions.

This rock had rounded forms that looked like marine mammals from a distance.

This whale bone looks remarkably like an Elephant Seal face.

Here, Nick is practicing his Territory Ahead pose.

The beach greeter. All the Elephant Seals that are at Ano Nuevo this time of the year are juveniles. In December, the adults arrive, and that is when the fights, mating, and birthing begin. The juveniles were doing a little mock battling.

The beach scene.

Elephant Seals sometimes curl their front flippers to scratch under their arms.

There is a freshwater pond on the way out that was popular with the Brown Pelicans. They would land and splash themselves with water, as if they were rinsing something off. After a few minutes, they would fly back out to sea.

Splish splash, I was taking a bath......

I love seeing healthy pelicans in the wild!

They are so visual... you just know he has given you the once-over, and has figured out your intentions.

Ah, what beauty this is!