Año Nuevo State Park is the site of the largest mainland breeding colony in the world for the northern elephant seal. So named because of their large size and long pendulous noses on the males. These large animals spend most of their lives at sea, coming ashore only to molt, give birth, and mate. The males battle for mates on the beaches and the females give birth to their pups on the dunes.
During the breeding season, December through March, the seals can be seen via guided walks. Most of the adult seals are gone by early March, leaving behind the weaned pups who remain through April. The elephant seals return to Año Nuevo’s beaches during the spring and summer months to molt.
I’ve had the opportunity to visit the park on two occassions during the breeding season. The photo entitled “elephant seal breeding ground” depicts a group of the seals on the beach with Año Nuevo Island (also part of the park) in the background. The photo entitled “keeping cool” is an image of a male elephant seal throwing sand on his back to keep the Sun off.
MD Photos Blog 
Sometimes I wish most of my life were in or next to water. Great cool off photo.
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