The Elephant Seals of Piedras Blancas

During all the years we have lived in Cambria we must have visited the Elephant Seals of Piedras Blancas no less than 50 times. And each time we walk out to the "point" and gaze upon the masses in the seal community below, we come away with even more awe and respect for those wonderful creatures.

It all began on November 25, 1990 when less than two dozen elephant seals were counted in the small cove just south of the Piedras Blancas lighthouse. Today the Piedras Blancas rookery is home to about 15,000 animals and the tenants are expanding... as their territory moves further south. We have seen a few of the huge bachelors relaxing in solitude as far south as Moonstone Beach in Cambria.

If you want to have your socks knocked off, visit the seals during the month of December. It is at that time that the older males, the beachmasters, arrive to stake out their territories. These huge animals, some 16 ft. long and weighing up to 5,000 lbs. are a sight to behold, especially when they raise their massive heads and girth up six feet to bark out their presence and challenge. We have seen 20-30 of these boys lined up in a straight line, huge heads pointing toward the water as they anxiously await the incoming females. They are much larger than a Volkswagen Bug and could easily crush it flat if they had to "slide" over one to get at another male. And don't let their massive size lull you to think they are just a gigantic "slug." They can move really fast...as you will see when the huge bulls engage in battles to determine who is in charge. The dominant "alpha" bulls do most of the breeding and are kept pretty busy protecting their harem from other "sneeky" males trying to get lucky and steal a tryst with an isolated female.

The first pup is born before Christmas. We have been fortunate to witness a live birth...quite something to behold. The birthing peaks in January and that's when all mayhem breaks loose...with noisy pups crying for milk and screeching gulls competing for newborn afterbirth. The babies are very cute as newborns...and quickly gain weight with their mother's rich milk...turning into beach "weaners."

You have heard the saying...the "Best Things In Life Are Free," well that is what it cost at the veiwing areas. Open every day and on select days information will be provided and your questions answered by the highly knowledeable and competent Friends of the Elephant Seal Interpretive Docents.