On New Years day I was lucky enough to see 3 births at the Elephant seal main beach. One came head first and was a longer birth and the mother had to shake the baby out. Today we went back with Mikes camera and witnessed 2 more births within our hour there. I now know how to recognize the attendant gull who stands by an impending birth, and the how contractions shake the mother. The baby pops our quite quickly. Then the other gull swoop down to "clean up"the afterbirth. All birth is truly amazing. This happening so close to our home is truly special.
A midwife seagull looking for imminent births.
This baby I saw birthed yesterday
This baby below popped out very quickly with some of the sac still on its back
Birthing the afterbirth
Yummy to seagulls !!!
This seagull spots another ready mother.
And the baby slides out
Out all the way to a cheering crowd of humans watching. One little boy sang Happy Birthday Dear Seal. The other mothers greet the new born with much barking.
And a last picture of Hearst castle. My friend Chris, son Matthew and I went on the special Christmas night tour this year, highly recommended.
Our next adventure... Mike and I will be in the Caribbean this time next week, cruising with music friends
Life is great.
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