Elephant Seal and Lighthouse, San Simeon, CaliforniaI got up before the seals to get this shot of a juvenile northern elephant seal just waking up, while a lighthouse shines in the background. This is a little spot just north of San Simeon where mothers return each year to have their babies. A few juveniles like this guy still hang around and spend most of their time back in the dunes away from all the overly protective new moms.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 24mm) ISO 400, f/10 at 1/60th of a second, Nikon SB-900 flash unit