The Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery is located a few miles north of San Simeon, CA. Each year, 15,000 of these incredible animals come ashore to give birth and mate. They spend 8-10 months at sea diving to depths up to 5000 feet for food. In September-December, they come ashore for the season of birthing and mating. The males tip the scales at over several thousand pounds and reach a length of over 12'and height of over 6'. The large proboscis nose gives them the name "elephant seal". The males have an amazing belch-like call that can be heard at substantial distances.

The northern elephant seal was once threatened with extinction. With protected status, it population is growing.

By the time May comes around, the males have left and all that remains are the females and young seals. It's a much more peaceful scene in the absence of bellowing males fighting over harems of females.