boys being boys
Young male elephant seals are back and have taken over the colony beach.
It's the season when the sub adults and young males come in from feeding and practice sparring. Soon the females will be back and many of them will be pregnant. Birthing season follows in early winter. The peak of mating season is valentines day
Now the young males practice the battles they'll do with the bulls, the 5000 pound Kings of the beach. When they arrive the big old boys divide the beach among their harems.
Never too young or small to start learning the skills that are required to carve out a harem.
"I'm tougher than you" they seem to taunt each other.
In the surf as well as on the beach they size up the competition.
Most could save their energy. It is rare for a young male, like those currently in residence, to successfully challenge the old boys.
Their glottal deep well barks echo along the beach South of the Piedra Blancas Light Station on the Pacific Coast highway. Compared to the basso profoundo rumble of the adult males, these fellows sound like tenors.
I remember well our visits to watch the interactions on the beach. Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteFascinating indeed!
DeleteBeen to the overlook to this beach several times over the years. Never once thought I'd be looking at it as a metaphor to this years election, with the bellowing and blustering. Christ all Friday, let it be over.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly time for new diversions.
ReplyDeleteIn the animal world, mating can be a dangerous business.
ReplyDeleteThat must also be true for a specie of bi-ped mammal.
ReplyDeleteAnd here, all these years, I thought they were practicing deceptive survival postures: "Quick! Let our predators think we are bookends!" Wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteSomewhere along the line they've mastered being photogenic! Thanks.
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