We put out the first 2 tags on molted adult male elephant seals at Ano Nuevo today.  These large males have been molting (growing new skin and fur) for the last month.  Male eseals come to land for two reasons, to grow new fur and to breed.  So, now that they have accomplished #1, they are off with their new coat of fur to start their foraging trip before the big show--the breeding season.  When they leave they will most likely head to the Aleutians (we will see where they actually go) to build up their body reserves to try to be the biggest, baddest male on the beach and thus to win the ladies.  We should see these guys again in December.

photo by Jerome Fiechter