Elephant Seal ... yes! I saw them by hiking 3 miles on California coast. Ano Nuevo State Park in Pescadero is a place where the habitat for migrating Elephant seals is protected. Lesser known place indeed! Until I reached the place I wasn't sure what was there for me! And I was so happy like a child when I saw these pups just a few feet away on the other side of the fence! Aren't they adorable?
The best time to visit the reserve is from December to March which is actually mating season for the seals. Males will be performing at their best to attract the attention of females and the whole set up on the shore is action filled. During this time only guided tours are allowed and you may have to book well in advance. In September, during my recent visit- mating was long over, seals were all silent and resting, the adorable pups were having peaceful nap. Aren't they cute? Little bigger ones were having fun swimming in the cold Pacific ocean.
Park has an entry fees. At the visitor center we took the permit which is required to go up to the viewing area. Then walked around 3 miles, parts of which on the dunes, to reach the viewing point. Here, ranger officers will give an insight to the Elephant seals, their behavior, life cycle, migration etc. They will try to answer all the questions that visitors might have. It is a good experience to watch these heavy creatures dragging themselves into the water, then ride the waves and come back to the shore for a rest. The ones which are napping- wake up for a while, look around, yawn a few times and go back to sleep.
I was reluctant to leave. I just wanted to hold one of the pups in my arms. Yes! I know! these pups could be double or more heavier than me! But, still ... those adorable baby faces ... The scenic coast is irresistible. It was a memorable short trip!
---I was reluctant to leave. I just wanted to hold one of the pups in my arms. Yes! I know! these pups could be double or more heavier than me! But, still ... those adorable baby faces ... The scenic coast is irresistible. It was a memorable short trip!
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This post is linked to Our World Tuesday.
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Scrapbook- A Travel Blog by Kusum Sanu is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
great info with beautiful photos
ReplyDeletethanks
Oh, I do love the seals and what marvelous captures for the day, Kusum!! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sylvia!
Deletehow precious and adorable. i love the details in the first photo.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yeah, I too like the closeup!
DeleteOh I do love the eyes. I know what you mean about wanting to get up close and personal.
ReplyDeleteThank you Fun60!
DeleteAdorable and cute. Nice captures Kusum.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
Magnificent photography of these very adorable and precious seals ~ one of nature's treasures ~
ReplyDelete(A Creative Harbor) ^_^ aka ArtMuseDog and Carol
Thank you Carol! They are treasures indeed!
DeleteWow - fabulous photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lady Fi!
DeleteThey're beautiful!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gary!
Deletewow these are amazing images... that baby is so cute!
ReplyDeleteThank you Laura! Yeah, I TOO FIND the baby so very cute!
DeleteOh my goodness ..... they are so adorable! Well worth the hike!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kerry! Yes, worth all the pain!
DeleteYour elephant seals are just adorable. I love their pretty faces. Awesome shots!
ReplyDeleteThank you Eileen! Yeah, I agree they are very pretty.
DeleteAw, sweet. No wonder you wanted to hold one! My daughter would, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you Leora. They are so cute huh?
DeleteBeautiful post on seals, Kusum:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Bhatia Ji.
DeleteWhat beautiful animals!
ReplyDeleteThank you Pat :)
DeleteI agree Kusum..wonderful photos and how sweet they are with those eyes and their fat bodies. So cute.. I wish them luck in the ocean. Thank you for linking up to Nature Notes...Michelle
ReplyDeleteThank you Michelle. Yeah, they definitely need good wishes in the ocean!
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