Just learning,
how to be,
bullies.
The females,
and pups,
take a relaxed approach,
to the budding testosterone,
conserving their energy,
for the often futile battles ahead.
Cheers to you from Piedras Blancas Elephant Seals in Big Sur California~
Elephant Seals are obviously not the only species with this problem!
This sub-adult male seems a bit sheepish about his not yet mature mating attempts.
He looks at me almost as if he’s apologetic!
He’s just practising now, learning how to deal with all the rejection.
Elephant Seal mating is disturbingly violent. It is a hard life being an elephant seal.
Looking into the female’s eyes it is impossible not to feel sorry for her and her continual harassment.
For now at least, the adolescent males just look beached and confused!
Cheers to you the Piedras Blancas elephant seals~
Title quote: “Cool Hand Luke.”
