Tag Archives: Northern Elephant Seal

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A very large Elephant Seal occupied the south end of Cook's Beach for some days in December. Rick and I visited the beach and watched from a safe distance as he threw sand over his back.  Paula Ray Power photographed him and I have to wonder at the fellow in the photo. He's too close for comfort. Elephant Seals can move faster on sand than most humans.

Paula took this photo from the overlook. It's interesting to see the tracks made by the big fellow. Males should be headed south to Ano Nuevo State Reserve where mating has begun. Perhaps this Elephant Seal decided to forgo  all that and take a vacation on the Mendonoma Coast.

I thank Paula for allowing me to share her photo with you here. To see an aerial photo of this beautiful pocket beach, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/05/24/an-aerial-view-of-cooks-beach-as-photographed-by-craig-tooley/

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Once in a great while, a Northern Elephant Seal will decide to haul out at Anchor Bay Beach. Wendy Bailey nearly walked by without noticing him because you can see he blends so well with the sand and rocks. And it is definitely a "he" - the big proboscis proves it. Juveniles and females do not have this big nose.

This Elephant Seal looks very relaxed, doesn't he, just barely gazing at Wendy? He stayed for several days before heading to points unknown. Thanks to Wendy for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

To find Anchor Bay Beach, you enter through Anchor Bay Campground. There is a nominal entrance fee. To learn more about this beautiful, privately-owned campground, here's their website: http://www.abcamp.com/

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A Northern Elephant Seal, Mirounga angustirostris, was found resting on the sand at Cook's Beach last week. You can tell by its proboscis this Elephant Seal is a male and it tell us he is at least three years old.

Photographer Tom Eckles captured a wonderful photo of him. Tom wrote, "It blinked, open its huge mouth, exhaled with snoring gusto, stretched a flipper, then settled back to sleep.  And was gone the next morning, off into the glorious ocean, but my memory of this grand creature I will have for always."

  I believe this same fellow then swam the short distance to Anchor Bay Beach, where he stayed for several days, delighting everyone who saw him.
  If you'd like to see some of Tom's work, here is the link to his web site: http://www.tomeckles.com/ I thank Tom for allowing me to share his photo with you here.