Año Nuevo

The purpose of Año Nuevo State Park, in San Mateo County, is to preserve and protect the scenic, biological, ecological, and cultural values of the central California coastline, including Año Nuevo Island and properties on the western slope of the coast range inland from Año Nuevo Point. The park protects and interprets the pinniped rookeries, a prime resource, and significant wildlife habitats on Año Nuevo Island and the mainland - As quoted on the park's web site

The Coastside State Parks Association puts on 2 events each year at Año Nuevo State Park during the Northern Elephant Seals breeding season. The larger event is the Seal Adventure Fundraiser that runs for several weekends and allows you open access to the breeding grounds for a good 3.5 hours (with docent monitoring where and when you can go). Great way to move around on your pace to see these magnificent creatures up close (tho not too close!). The second is for photographers. Sunrise Seal Photography as the name suggests, crack of dawn access to the park in a small group (7) lead by one of the knowledgeable Rangers. Bonus, they drive you into the park and you get access to areas that are not always available to the general public. I have been attending both these past few years and always discover something new.

The winter storms had a big effect on the population with several storms wiping out and eroding the beachheads where the action all unfolds. This in turn delayed the breeding and there was a greater population of pups and weaners (no longer feeding from mom) to see and capture. Of particular note was the Gauntlet (see image below), where the less eligible males would wait for a female to head into the sea and try their pickup lines to charm the departing ladies, as they were unable to hook up on land with the big bull elephants constantly guarding their harems. Please enjoy the images.

After Covid 2021, Coastside Parks was back in action and to make up for lost time, I attended both the Seal Adventure and Sunrise Photography tours. Beautiful weather for both occasions, however, lack of rain made for dryer conditions and reduced room for the big guys to hang around. Climate change is happening everywhere you look, from the coasts of California to the peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Please do what you can to help, every small action contributes to rescue our groaning planet in her time of need.