Whales, Elephant
GALLERY: CALIFORNIA'S AMAZING WILDLIFE
Whales, Elephant
Seals... and
Zebras?
COLIN SIMPSON
A HUMPBACK whale flips its tail-fin as it dives in sight of the shore at Monterey Bay, California. It is one of a number of whale species attracted to the bay by its plentiful supplies of food – others include blue whales, migrating grey whales and killer whales.
Seeing a whale from land is always a thrill, but a boat trip provides an even better view. The humpbacks are often accompanied by dozens of Californian sea-lions, which dive with them in search of squid and fish.
The whales prefer anchovies and krill, lunging up out of the water to catch them in their gaping mouths. Our whale-watching guide drew our attention to a “funky” smell in the air – this comes from the humpbacks, though anyone would have bad breath if they ate up to four tons of anchovies per day.
You’re likely to see other species in Monterey Bay, such as dolphins and, if you’re very lucky, a sunfish.
Sea-lions are a common sight along the coast of California and beyond – these ones are at San Francisco’s Pier 39…
…and these are 350 miles north, at Crescent City near the Oregon border.
Back at Monterey Bay, you can learn more about the local marine life at the town’s aquarium, where fabulous displays highlight the beauty of nature.
The amazing kelp forest is a stand-out – great for non-divers who would not otherwise be able to view such a sight.
Away from the ocean, drivers who turn off Highway 101 – also known as the Redwood Highway – at Elk Meadow may by rewarded with a glimpse of these striking animals.
The Roosevelt elk population has recovered after nearly being hunted to extinction.
San Simeon, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, is best known as the location of Hearst Castle, but it’s also home to a burgeoning population of elephant seals.
There’s a convenient car park overlooking the beach where the mighty animals rest and adolescent males engage in mock fights – though the ones in the video look rather half-hearted.
The viewing area is just a small part of the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery, which extends for six miles along the coast. Helpful docents from the Friends of the Elephant Seal group are often on hand to talk to visitors about the seals.
California also has more than 600 bird species, including the brown pelican.
And yes, there are zebras. They graze on the pastures beneath Hearst Castle alongside Highway 1, and are descended from animals that formed part of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst’s menagerie.
The world’s largest private zoo contained a vast collection including lions, tigers, giraffes, an elephant, bears, kangaroos and many others. Most of the animals were dispersed in the years following 1937, when Hearst encountered money problems, but the zebras remained. Other survivors include Barbary sheep.
Updated December 2019.
MORE INFO
MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM site. Everything you need to know about this fabulous facility, housed in a historic former canning factory. READ MORE
FRIENDS OF THE ELEPHANT SEAL site. As well as providing information here, this group also runs a lively Facebook page where frequent video posts let you follow the elephant seals’ progress through the year. READ MORE
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GALLERY: CALIFORNIA'S AMAZING WILDLIFE
Whales, Elephant Seals... and Zebras?
COLIN SIMPSON
A HUMPBACK whale flips its tail-fin as it dives in sight of the shore at Monterey Bay, California. It is one of a number of whale species attracted to the bay by its plentiful supplies of food – others include blue whales, migrating grey whales and killer whales.
Seeing a whale from land is always a thrill, but a boat trip provides an even better view. The humpbacks are often accompanied by dozens of Californian sea-lions, which dive with them in search of squid and fish.
The whales prefer anchovies and krill, lunging up out of the water to catch them in their gaping mouths. Our whale-watching guide drew our attention to a “funky” smell in the air – this comes from the humpbacks, though anyone would have bad breath if they ate up to four tons of anchovies per day.
You’re likely to see other species in Monterey Bay, such as dolphins and, if you’re very lucky, a sunfish.
Sea-lions are a common sight along the coast of California and beyond – these ones are at San Francisco’s Pier 39…
…and these are 350 miles north, at Crescent City near the Oregon border.
Back at Monterey Bay, you can learn more about the local marine life at the town’s aquarium, where fabulous displays highlight the beauty of nature.
The amazing kelp forest is a stand-out – great for non-divers who would not otherwise be able to view such a sight.
Away from the ocean, drivers who turn off Highway 101 – also known as the Redwood Highway – at Elk Meadow may by rewarded with a glimpse of these striking animals.
The Roosevelt elk population has recovered after nearly being hunted to extinction.
San Simeon, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, is best known as the location of Hearst Castle, but it’s also home to a burgeoning population of elephant seals.
There’s a convenient car park overlooking the beach where the mighty animals rest and adolescent males engage in mock fights – though the ones in the video look rather half-hearted.
The viewing area is just a small part of the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery, which extends for six miles along the coast. Helpful docents from the Friends of the Elephant Seal group are often on hand to talk to visitors about the seals.
California also has more than 600 bird species, including the brown pelican.
And yes, there are zebras. They graze on the pastures beneath Hearst Castle alongside Highway 1, and are descended from animals that formed part of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst’s menagerie.
The world’s largest private zoo contained a vast collection including lions, tigers, giraffes, an elephant, bears, kangaroos and many others. Most of the animals were dispersed in the years following 1937, when Hearst encountered money problems, but the zebras remained. Other survivors include Barbary sheep.
Updated December 2019.
MORE INFO
MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM site. Everything you need to know about this fabulous facility, housed in a historic former canning factory. READ MORE
FRIENDS OF THE ELEPHANT SEAL site. As well as providing information here, this group also runs a lively Facebook page where frequent video posts let you follow the elephant seals’ progress through the year. READ MORE
RELATED
WATCHING PINK DOLPHINS: Yes, there really are pink dolphins in the waters around Hong Kong, and regular boat trips mean you can watch them frolicking… READ MORE
GULF ARABS LOVE BIG CATS and other exotic animals, and many sheikhs have private zoos. Normally these places are strictly out of bounds, but Afaranwide managed to have a look inside. READ MORE
GLORIOUS GOLDEN GATE: You can’t take your eyes off it, and in real life it’s more beautiful than any photograph you can take. The Golden Gate Bridge really does prove that, now and then, mankind can rise above itself… READ MORE
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WELCOME TO OUR WORLD! Afaranwide’s home page – this is where you can find out about our latest posts and other highlights. READ MORE
TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS: Many of the world’s most popular tourists sites are closed because of the coronavirus crisis, but you can still visit them virtually while you’re self-isolating. READ MORE
SHIMLA, QUEEN OF THE HILLS: Government officials once retreated to Shimla in the foothills of the Himalayas to escape India’s blazing hot summers. Now tourists make the same journey. READ MORE
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