Alpenglow Images

Nature & Landscape Photography by Greg Russell

Alpenglow Images | Nature and Landscape Photography by Greg Russell

 

 

 

Northern Elephant Seal

These images of northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) were made on California's central coast near San Simeon. This is one of two major areas in the state where they come together in large numbers to breed. In fact, their numbers are so numerous that fences have been erected to keep them off of the Pacific Coast Highway in this area. One hundred years ago, however, the story wasn't so nice. Very few individuals remained, and they bred on small offshore islands. Now that they have no mainland predators (the grizzly bear has long since been extirpated from the state), they are able to breed on the mainland. Because of this, their population has grown.

Mating elephant seals Displaying sub-dominant male
Image #0182 Image #0183
Mating elephant seals
Image #0184