You may remember that I did this same drive on California’s famous Highway One under very similar circumstances not so very long ago. That time, this little beach near Hearst Castle was crowded with elephant seals.

This time, it was nowhere near as crowded…

Most of the females and young were gone… there were a few lonely bachelors hanging out though…

That guy seems to be examining his own tail.

Some of the males were still trying to establish dominance… but most of them were just lounging around.

Can you spot any elephant seals in that photo? (To be fair, I’m not sure there are any… I may have moved on down the coast for this photo)…

This is the middle of California… where the sea is still wild and cold, and the shore is still rocky in most places. We are not yet at the palm tree-infested white sand beaches of Southern California.

But central and Northern California have a beauty all their own.

Seriously, try to drive Highway One someday. At sunrise or sunset, you will not be disappointed. Maybe next time I am there, I will do it as the sun is going down over the Pacific, and get you some pictures of that.