January 31, 2003 was one of the most perfect weather days to drive up to Piedras Blancas north of San Simeon on Hwy 1 to watch Elephant Seals along with dozens of tourists!
Though most of the seals were laying out like rock slabs on the several beaches and smaller rocky coves, they were quite vocal: from pups squealing, to mothers disciplining, to the deep throat mating calls of the bulls. The seals would move around a bit, scratch their fins and hides, throw sand over themselves, move in to mate, alphas driving off invading beta bulls, and fighting for dominance of the seal colony.
We caught it just in time as we were returning from the north end of one beach with a full house of bulls, cows and pups. We ran to see the Bull Fight at Piedras Blancas Beach bluff looking towards the lighthouse that is now lighted and blinking in the background of the photo album. It was our first ever live spectacular Elephant Seal bull fight. Others came and left before it began, while others arrived just after it ended. Both males appeared to be well matched, almost the same size and weight. We were the only two to be able to view nearly the entire Elephant Seal fight!
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