Northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris), Point Reyes National Seashore, California. 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.