Año Nuevo State Park is 20 miles (32 km) north of Santa Cruz. It is known for Elephant Seals, huge animals that can be as long as 15 ft (4.5 m) and as heavy as 5,500 lbs (2,500 kg). In the 19th century they were hunted to near extinction because their blubber or fat could be turned into oil. Only 200 were alive at the beginning of the 20th century when the Mexican and American governments gave them protected status.
They began arriving in Año Nuevo (New Year) point in 1955 to breed and molt. They now number about 124,000 and people go to Año Nuevo State Park to see them from November to May, or perhaps even all year round. We drove to the park one cloudy day to see what it was all about.
From the parking area, it was a 3-mile (4.8 km) round trip to a viewing area. Here’s a view of a deserted beach we saw while hiking the trail.
On the way, a Spotted Towhee was singing merrily. This was the first time I had ever seen one.
At this time of the year seals come and lay on the beach to molt over 30 days, without eating anything. When we came near the beach where they lounged about, the unpleasant smell of their body waste was unmistakable.
We didn’t stay too long at the viewpoint because of the smell, and also because it started raining and I only had a plastic bag to protect my camera.
C.S. Young Jr. said:
Great captures, I’ve learned to breath through my mouth in such situations. It works for a while. (o;
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks for the tip. I’ll have to try it next time.
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Jet Eliot said:
I love Ano Nuevo, it’s so fortunate that the elephant seals have been protected. Just wanted to mention, Hien, the bird is a spotted towhee; that glistening red eye you skillfully captured helps identify this bird that is similar-looking to the BH grosbeak.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Jet! I made the correction to the bird name. 🙂
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Sue Slaght said:
I love all of the elephant seals. What an incredible spot!
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neihtn2012 said:
I agree. Thanks Sue!
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quietsolopursuits said:
I would love to see the seals and scenery that you’re photographing on this trip, well done!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you very much Jerry. You would have had a great time there.
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Amy said:
Wow, what a scene of the seals! So much to see in California. 🙂
Thank you for taking us there.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Amy. Next time you go check out this park!
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Amy said:
I’d love to visit this park! 🙂
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katelon said:
Does the molting leave a cast off like how snakes leave old skin?
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neihtn2012 said:
I don’t know, Katelon, but it looked like they were losing a piece of their skin at a time, not the whole skin.
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loisajay said:
I love the little one making himself heard over the din of the two male seals.
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neihtn2012 said:
The two duking males were making the loudest noises indeed. That little one had lost a patch of skin and was just waiting to shed the rest of it, in peace hopefully.
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