Sink or Swim

This tolerant mother elephant seal and her helpless pup will part ways in just a couple of months. The mother will migrate some 2400 miles west to the Sandwich Islands to feed and restore her weight and strength before returning to this California beach. In contrast, the pup will be abandoned on that same beach and must learn to find food and even learn to swim on its own. It’s a tough start to a life.

This image was captured at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery north of San Simeon, California.

All Photographs © 2018 John Grusd Photography. All Rights Reserved.