the small purple guy in the lower right is an iris
Here are some pictures from a walk on Drakes beach at low tide on a cloudy day. The Elephant Seals seem to be extending their range down the beach from their breeding area near the south end of the point. This guy was the furthest north. We were the required 150 feet away but he was a bit skitish. Just a youngster, I think. He was fine when we first noticed him quite close and backed off quickly towards the shore. But when we stopped with camera and binoculars and focused on him he let us know we were still inside his comfort zone so we moved on.
It's important to keep the proper distance from marine mammals large and small. With binoculars or zoom on a camera you can see them clearly but not add stress to their lives.
Also out, hang gliders and para-sailors.
