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Elephant Seal Bull


Elephant Seal Bull
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3103 W: 234 N: 5930] (20016)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-02-12
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon Powershot S1-IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-02-12 22:21
Viewed: 755
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Today we spent a glorious day at the Ano Nuevo State Reserve, where you can find the first breeding colony of elephant seals after they came back from the brink of extinction only half a century ago. They have made a magnificent come back, and over the next few days, I would like to share with you some images of these incredible sea mammals.

Elephant Seal
Mirounga angustirostris

Perhaps the most compelling attraction for human visitors to Aņo Nuevo State Reserve is the large colony of northern elephant seals that assembles here each winter. So named because of their large size and long pendulous noses on the males. These large animals spend most of their lives at sea, coming ashore only to molt, give birth, and mate.

History
Hundreds of thousands of northern elephant seals once inhabited the Pacific Ocean. They were slaughtered wholesale in the 1800s for the oil that could be rendered from their blubber. By 1892, only 50 to 100 individuals were left. The only remaining colony was on the Guadalupe Island off the coast of Baja California.

In 1922, the Mexican government gave protected status to elephant seals, and the U. S. government followed suit a few years later when the seals began to appear in Southern California waters. Since that time, elephant seals have continued to multiply exponentially, and they have extended their breeding range as far north as Point Reyes. Today, there are approximately 160,000 northern elephant seals.

The first elephant seals on Aņo Nuevo Island were sighted in 1955, and the first pup was born there in 1961. In 1978, 872 were born there. Males began to haul out on the mainland in 1965. A pup born in January 1975 was the first known mainland birth of a northern elephant seal at Aņo Nuevo; 86 pups were born there in 1978. By 1988/1989, about 2,000 elephant seals came ashore at Aņo Nuevo, and the number of seals breeding and giving birth on the mainland is still increasing. During the 1994-95 breeding season, approximately 2,000 pups were born on the mainland.

Source
hummingbird24, deons, scottevers7, samos, liquidsunshine, loot, peter_stoeckl has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To glazzaro: How Close?manyee 1 02-12 23:56
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello ManYee,

An awesome capture of this very cheerful looking character.

Great details, color, POV, and exposure, not to mention the wonderful pose...

Well done and thank you!

Nice shot, how close were you?

Greg

  • Great 
  • deons Silver Star Critiquer [C: 31 W: 0 N: 7] (130)
  • [2006-02-13 2:18]

Hi Manyee

Nice portrait of an Elephant seal, I hope you did not have to get too close as they can be somewhat aggressive at times.
The info is also very interesting.

I will look out for the follow up photos.

Deon

Hi Manyee,
A superb portrait shot on this Elephant Seal! The composition and framing are perfect. Good exposure in what appears to be some bright sunlight. Colors look great, and detail is very sharp. A great pose!
Scott

  • Great 
  • samos Gold Star Critiquer [C: 82 W: 4 N: 2] (39)
  • [2006-02-13 8:37]

Hello Manyee very beautiful portrait you capture of this seal wonterful photo excellent datails thanks regards Stavros

Great capture Manyee,
Good detail, colours and sharpness.
Composition and exposure are good. Good POV and framing.
Thanks for posting, have a great week.

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5747 W: 606 N: 3505] (9407)
  • [2006-02-15 21:20]

Hi Manyee
Great pose captured of this elephant seal bull. Looking at the scars on his neck it seems like he had his fair share of fights in his life. Good thing you were on higher ground and did not get too close as this posting attest to the fact of your survival. This guy can surely tear your clothes and modify your anatomy.
Good composition, POV, colour, and sharp detail. TFS.
Regards
Loot

Great shot, Manyee.
Having been out for a few days I just discovered your exciting, brand new series of Elephant Seals. Thank you for these very impressive encounters! Best regards,
Peter

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