You gotta feel sorry for the northern elephant seal pup (Mirounga angustirostris) at lower right--mom didn't do a good job picking out her beachfront property! Fortunately, the alpha male chased off the smaller challenger with no harm done. Pups are born December-February and nurse for about four weeks. The boardwalk just north of San Simeon on the central California coast is an ideal location to view the seals, especially at high tide since the beach is narrow. (photo: 400mm lens)