So what does a 1000 pound elephant seal have to do with organic farming? Nothing that i know of, but they are just awesomely huge animals. We visited Ana Nuevo along the CA coast to see the elephant seals that are currently pupping and just starting into the breeding season. It always amazes me how you can walk among the sand dunes and find these enormous creatures tucked in about every hollow and dune. Then when you crest the final dune at the shore line, hundreds of these lumbering giants pack the beach. I do have to admit one of my most favorite sites was not at the rookery, but back at the meeting station where there were a display of skulls. Below is a photo of the head of a full grown male elephant seal.
For most of you who read this blog, you know of my interest in skulls and skeletons. For you i have a mystery skull picture (below). I few clues: The skulls next to it are sea otter skulls. This animal use to live here in Ana Nuevo, CA but hasn't for a long time. It spends most of its time on land. Now, it is time for you to guess.
Going from the ocean, we headed up into the hills to Candi's vineyard and farm. There is a small herd of alpacas and a few lamas. They are very elegant animals with incredibly soft hair.
Candi was good enough to wrangle one of the younger alpacas so i could have the opportunity to hold one. I was trying to figure out how i could maybe fit this one in my truck and get it back to PA.
