Northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris), looking back and mouth open, Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA
Northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris), looking back and mouth open, Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA. I was photographing starfish when this elephant seal came around the corner... we were both very surprised I think.... neither of us knew the other was there and so close.
I retreated a bit behind some large rocks while the elephant seal came a bit closer and started displaying in the shallow water: neck up and mouth open. Then we each went our way again.