Splash and Catching some Rays

[slowpez]

Thanks for sharing these especially the ones of the elephant seals. I have not forgiven my husband yet for making me leave California last year before the females had their pups. Nice shots.

[Bob Harris]

Nice capture on #1 Den, Cambria is such a lovely area to visit and relax by the sea. That is quite a picture of the big male, makes me wonder how they can do anything at all.

[Kerrowdown]

picture of the big male, makes me wonder how they can do anything at all.

I manage.

Back on thread, great images, are these protected (cos they (elephant seals) will know this), reason for asking their all looking pretty laid back with you there.

[Den]

Thanks for looking.
Yes, they are protected. Here's their natural schedule:

January
Females are arriving and giving birth. Elephant seal births peak during the last half of January.
February
Births continue, and mating peaks around Valentine’s Day. Females leave the area.
March
The last adults leave, and weaned pups can be seen teaching themselves to swim.
April
Females and juveniles return to the beach to molt.
May
Females and juveniles are around.
June
Sub-adult males return to molt.
July
Sub-adult and adult males can be seen.
August
Last of the males are molting.
September
Young-of-the-year and juveniles can be seen on the beach.
October
Young-of-the-year and juveniles can be seen on the beach.
November
Sub-adult males can be seen on the beach. Toward the end of the month mature males begin arriving.
December
Bulls continue to return. Females begin to arrive, and the first birth is usually around the middle of the month.

This all happens just a couple of miles north of Cambria, on the coast in San Simeon

[tessfully]

Oh this is such an awesome series! Love the wave shots and the elephant seals are special and amazing. Thank you so much for sharing