On August 2nd, 2012, THE ELEPHANT SEALS…

  animals

the elephant seals and the humans

…we visited yesterday – all males at the moment, sunning and molting on the beach – along the California central coast off Highway 1 was one of my top animal encounters of all time, enhanced by the helpful Friends of the Elephant Seal volunteer who answered questions and offered fascinating insight, like for example the fact that they like to lay up against each other while on the beach to simulate the pressure they feel underwater, which they find a comfort. (wikipedia)