año nuevo state park

we took a trip to año nuevo state park, about a 20 minute drive down the coast from half moon bay to pescadero, to see the elephant seals that come there every year to mate and give birth to their young.  the setting is spectacular, taking place along a wide expanse of bluffs overlooking the cold blue northern california coastline.  we had to walk 4 miles in blustery coastal winds, but it was refreshing and a treat for all of us nature buffs.  we enjoyed the excursion even if we had to carry the little ones most of the way.  i love this first picture for the sweet moment in the background between ezra and his uncle christopher.

here's us at the onset of our trek all connecting to our technology.

ezra enjoyed the elements without technology.

he got to touch a piece of molted seal pelt...

that our wonderful guide shared with us.  

i liked her and her jacket.  she let me take a picture.

the journey was a loooong

pathway to the seals...

ezra walked most of the way there

but there were many times he hopped on michael's back.

we first stopped to meet the rest of the people signed up for the tour at this little learning house.  they had seal sculls and a famous toilet seat that was worn around one particular seal's poor neck that liked to come and visit the lighthouse.  

this is the occipital bone of a whale.

ezra feeling comfortable - hanging out on some seal skin.

on one of our stops along the way to listen to our guide tell us information about the seals, 

we stopped to look at these pretty ocean views.  

this house you see on that little island once was the home of the lighthouse keeper and his family.  i can't remember why they don't live there anymore, but for many years now it's been taken over by the seals and that is why one became famous for the toilet seat around his neck.  our guide hasn't been there, but she would very much like to go and see the silly sight of all the seals hanging out all over this two story house.  

we had to hike up sandy dunes that made for some vigorous exercise.

when we finally arrived at our first seal sighting, it was pretty anti-climactic.  

this guy isn't getting any action.

our guide said he's a loser.

this is a part of the nursery where the mums and their calves were laying.  although there was a calf making a very cute little growly sound, ezra asked after some minutes of being there, "are they dead?"

here's one making a little rollie pollie move!  

some battle scars on this one...

i should really blog immediately, because i'm not positive what happened to this one, but this was the remains of a dead baby seal.  

onward...

sand dune

we saw more seals around another few bends,

but there was no mating, no sparring, no action at all.

we came late in the season and by this time they are tired.

it didn't matter, it was so beautiful just to be there.

it's no wonder they have chosen these beautiful coves for many years as their breeding grounds.

"Año Nuevo State Park is the site of the largest mainland breeding colony in the world for the northern elephant seal"

for more information you can visit this site.

the elephant seal watching crew.

grandpa and indy wore their hoods.

i would love to come back here again one day.

but, i don't think michael will want to until the boys are able to walk it on their own.  

until then, i'll savor the memories with these pictures.