Nurse Photos

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Newborn harbor seal pup watches a Western seagull approach.  The gull is trying to pick at placenta on the sandy beach as the seal pup, born just moments before, watches and tries to understand what is going on. Within an hour of being born, this pup had learned to nurse and had entered the ocean for its first swim, Phoca vitulina richardsi, La Jolla, California
Newborn harbor seal pup watches a Western seagull approach. The gull is trying to pick at placenta on the sandy beach as the seal pup, born just moments before, watches and tries to understand what is going on. Within an hour of being born, this pup had learned to nurse and had entered the ocean for its first swim.
Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 39076  
Newborn harbor seal pup is protected by its mother from a seagull. The seagull most likely wants to feed on the placenta, but it may also peck at and injure the pup. The seal mother does a good job of keeping birds off its newborn pup.  Within an hour of being born, this pup had learned to nurse and had entered the ocean for its first swim, Phoca vitulina richardsi, La Jolla, California
Newborn harbor seal pup is protected by its mother from a seagull. The seagull most likely wants to feed on the placenta, but it may also peck at and injure the pup. The seal mother does a good job of keeping birds off its newborn pup. Within an hour of being born, this pup had learned to nurse and had entered the ocean for its first swim.
Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 39075  
A young Pacific Harbor Seal pup nursing.  Mother harbor seals will only nurse their pups for about four to six weeks, at which point the small seal is weaned and must begin to forage and fend for itself.  That short period of time is crucial for the young seal to learn how to hunt, socialize and swim, Phoca vitulina richardsi, La Jolla, California
A young Pacific Harbor Seal pup nursing. Mother harbor seals will only nurse their pups for about four to six weeks, at which point the small seal is weaned and must begin to forage and fend for itself. That short period of time is crucial for the young seal to learn how to hunt, socialize and swim.
Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 39063  
A young Pacific Harbor Seal pup nursing.  Mother harbor seals will only nurse their pups for about four to six weeks, at which point the small seal is weaned and must begin to forage and fend for itself.  That short period of time is crucial for the young seal to learn how to hunt, socialize and swim, Phoca vitulina richardsi, La Jolla, California
A young Pacific Harbor Seal pup nursing. Mother harbor seals will only nurse their pups for about four to six weeks, at which point the small seal is weaned and must begin to forage and fend for itself. That short period of time is crucial for the young seal to learn how to hunt, socialize and swim.
Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 39082  
A young Pacific Harbor Seal pup nursing.  Mother harbor seals will only nurse their pups for about four to six weeks, at which point the small seal is weaned and must begin to forage and fend for itself.  That short period of time is crucial for the young seal to learn how to hunt, socialize and swim, Phoca vitulina richardsi, La Jolla, California
A young Pacific Harbor Seal pup nursing. Mother harbor seals will only nurse their pups for about four to six weeks, at which point the small seal is weaned and must begin to forage and fend for itself. That short period of time is crucial for the young seal to learn how to hunt, socialize and swim.
Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 39105  
A newborn harbor seal pup rests alongside its mother, as placenta is born from the mother just a few moments after the pup was born. Within an hour of being born, this pup had learned to nurse and had entered the ocean for its first swim, Phoca vitulina richardsi, La Jolla, California
A newborn harbor seal pup rests alongside its mother, as placenta is born from the mother just a few moments after the pup was born. Within an hour of being born, this pup had learned to nurse and had entered the ocean for its first swim.
Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 39110  
A Western seagull picks at placenta on sand beach, as the seal pup born just moments before watches and tries to understand what is going on. Within an hour of being born, this pup had learned to nurse and had entered the ocean for its first swim, Phoca vitulina richardsi, La Jolla, California
A Western seagull picks at placenta on sand beach, as the seal pup born just moments before watches and tries to understand what is going on. Within an hour of being born, this pup had learned to nurse and had entered the ocean for its first swim.
Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 39111  
A young Pacific Harbor Seal pup with milk on its face from nursing. Mother harbor seals will only nurse their pups for about four to six weeks, at which point the small seal is weaned and must begin to forage and fend for itself. That short period of time is crucial for the young seal to learn how to hunt, socialize and swim, Phoca vitulina richardsi, La Jolla, California
A young Pacific Harbor Seal pup with milk on its face from nursing. Mother harbor seals will only nurse their pups for about four to six weeks, at which point the small seal is weaned and must begin to forage and fend for itself. That short period of time is crucial for the young seal to learn how to hunt, socialize and swim.
Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 39130  
Nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum
Nurse shark.
Species: Nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum
Location: Bahamas
Image ID: 32032  
Nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum
Nurse shark.
Species: Nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum
Location: Bahamas
Image ID: 32033  
A young Pacific Harbor Seal pup nursing.  Mother harbor seals will only nurse their pups for about four to six weeks, at which point the small seal is weaned and must begin to forage and fend for itself.  That short period of time is crucial for the young seal to learn how to hunt, socialize and swim, Phoca vitulina richardsi, La Jolla, California
A young Pacific Harbor Seal pup nursing. Mother harbor seals will only nurse their pups for about four to six weeks, at which point the small seal is weaned and must begin to forage and fend for itself. That short period of time is crucial for the young seal to learn how to hunt, socialize and swim.
Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 39081  
A newborn harbor seal pup, only a few minutes old, peeks over its mother who is resting after having just given birth.  The pup is nuzzling and smelling its mothers belly, looking for mammary glands so that it can nurse.  Within an hour of being born, this pup had learned to nurse and had entered the ocean for its first swim, Phoca vitulina richardsi, La Jolla, California
A newborn harbor seal pup, only a few minutes old, peeks over its mother who is resting after having just given birth. The pup is nuzzling and smelling its mothers belly, looking for mammary glands so that it can nurse. Within an hour of being born, this pup had learned to nurse and had entered the ocean for its first swim.
Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 39120  
Great hammerhead shark and nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum
Great hammerhead shark and nurse shark.
Species: Nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum
Location: Bimini, Bahamas
Image ID: 31973  
Nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum
Nurse shark.
Species: Nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum
Location: Bahamas
Image ID: 32034  
Nurse shark, Grand Cayman Island
Nurse shark, Grand Cayman Island.
Location: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Image ID: 32251  
A mother California sea lions nurses two newborn pups. Each mother sea lions gives birth to only one pup each season. While rare, a mother sea lion may adopt an abandoned pup. This mother sea lion has done so, nursing two pups just a few days old at Point La Jolla
A mother California sea lions nurses two newborn pups. Each mother sea lions gives birth to only one pup each season. While rare, a mother sea lion may adopt an abandoned pup. This mother sea lion has done so, nursing two pups just a few days old at Point La Jolla.
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 39391  
Panorama dimensions: 5760 x 8640
A mother California sea lions nurses two newborn pups. Each mother sea lions gives birth to only one pup each season. While rare, a mother sea lion may adopt an abandoned pup. This mother sea lion has done so, nursing two pups just a few days old at Point La Jolla
A mother California sea lions nurses two newborn pups. Each mother sea lions gives birth to only one pup each season. While rare, a mother sea lion may adopt an abandoned pup. This mother sea lion has done so, nursing two pups just a few days old at Point La Jolla.
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 39392  
Newborn harbor seal pup is protected by its mother from a seagull. The seagull most likely wants to feed on the placenta, which is still attached to the mother, but it may also peck at and injure the pup. The seal mother does a good job of keeping birds off its newborn pup. Within an hour of being born, this pup had learned to nurse and had entered the ocean for its first swim, Phoca vitulina richardsi, La Jolla, California
Newborn harbor seal pup is protected by its mother from a seagull. The seagull most likely wants to feed on the placenta, which is still attached to the mother, but it may also peck at and injure the pup. The seal mother does a good job of keeping birds off its newborn pup. Within an hour of being born, this pup had learned to nurse and had entered the ocean for its first swim.
Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 39119  
A young Pacific Harbor Seal pup nursing. Mother harbor seals will only nurse their pups for about four to six weeks, at which point the small seal is weaned and must begin to forage and fend for itself. That short period of time is crucial for the young seal to learn how to hunt, socialize and swim, Phoca vitulina richardsi, La Jolla, California
A young Pacific Harbor Seal pup nursing. Mother harbor seals will only nurse their pups for about four to six weeks, at which point the small seal is weaned and must begin to forage and fend for itself. That short period of time is crucial for the young seal to learn how to hunt, socialize and swim.
Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 39127  
Fallen coast redwood tree.  This tree will slowly decompose, providing a substrate and nutrition for new plants to grow and structure for small animals to use.  Nurse log, Sequoia sempervirens, Redwood National Park, California
Fallen coast redwood tree. This tree will slowly decompose, providing a substrate and nutrition for new plants to grow and structure for small animals to use. Nurse log.
Species: California redwood, Coast redwood, Giant redwood, Sequoia sempervirens
Location: Redwood National Park, California
Image ID: 25803  
Fallen coast redwood tree.  This tree will slowly decompose, providing a substrate and nutrition for new plants to grow and structure for small animals to use.  Nurse log, Sequoia sempervirens, Redwood National Park, California
Fallen coast redwood tree. This tree will slowly decompose, providing a substrate and nutrition for new plants to grow and structure for small animals to use. Nurse log.
Species: California redwood, Coast redwood, Giant redwood, Sequoia sempervirens
Location: Redwood National Park, California
Image ID: 25820  
Elephant seal pup scratches its face with its foreflipper.  Note the five "fingernails" on the flipper.  The pup will nurse for 27 days, when the mother stops lactating and returns to the sea.  The pup will stay on the beach 12 more weeks until it becomes hungry and begins to forage for food, Mirounga angustirostris, Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Elephant seal pup scratches its face with its foreflipper. Note the five "fingernails" on the flipper. The pup will nurse for 27 days, when the mother stops lactating and returns to the sea. The pup will stay on the beach 12 more weeks until it becomes hungry and begins to forage for food.
Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris
Location: Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Image ID: 20404  
Mother elephant seal and her pup.  The pup will nurse for 27 days, when the mother stops lactating and returns to the sea.  The pup will stay on the beach 12 more weeks until it becomes hungry and begins to forage for food, Mirounga angustirostris, Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Mother elephant seal and her pup. The pup will nurse for 27 days, when the mother stops lactating and returns to the sea. The pup will stay on the beach 12 more weeks until it becomes hungry and begins to forage for food.
Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris
Location: Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Image ID: 15422  
Elephant seal pup nurses.  The pup will nurse for 27 days, when the mother stops lactating and returns to the sea.  The pup will stay on the beach 12 more weeks until it becomes hungry and begins to forage for food, Mirounga angustirostris, Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Elephant seal pup nurses. The pup will nurse for 27 days, when the mother stops lactating and returns to the sea. The pup will stay on the beach 12 more weeks until it becomes hungry and begins to forage for food.
Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris
Location: Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Image ID: 15419  
Mother elephant seal and her pup.  The pup will nurse for 27 days, when the mother stops lactating and returns to the sea.  The pup will stay on the beach 12 more weeks until it becomes hungry and begins to forage for food, Mirounga angustirostris, Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Mother elephant seal and her pup. The pup will nurse for 27 days, when the mother stops lactating and returns to the sea. The pup will stay on the beach 12 more weeks until it becomes hungry and begins to forage for food.
Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris
Location: Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Image ID: 20402  
Mother elephant seal and her pup.  The pup will nurse for 27 days, when the mother stops lactating and returns to the sea.  The pup will stay on the beach 12 more weeks until it becomes hungry and begins to forage for food, Mirounga angustirostris, Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Mother elephant seal and her pup. The pup will nurse for 27 days, when the mother stops lactating and returns to the sea. The pup will stay on the beach 12 more weeks until it becomes hungry and begins to forage for food.
Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris
Location: Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Image ID: 20405  
Nurse log.  A fallen Douglas fir tree provides a substrate for new seedlings to prosper and grow, Cathedral Grove, MacMillan Provincial Park, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Nurse log. A fallen Douglas fir tree provides a substrate for new seedlings to prosper and grow.
Location: Cathedral Grove, MacMillan Provincial Park, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Image ID: 21040  
A fallen tree serves as a nurse log for new growth in an old growth forest of douglas firs and hemlocks, with forest floor carpeted in ferns and mosses.  Sol Duc Springs, Olympic National Park, Washington
A fallen tree serves as a nurse log for new growth in an old growth forest of douglas firs and hemlocks, with forest floor carpeted in ferns and mosses. Sol Duc Springs.
Location: Sol Duc Springs, Olympic National Park, Washington
Image ID: 13755  
Mother elephant seal and her pup.  The pup will nurse for 27 days, when the mother stops lactating and returns to the sea.  The pup will stay on the beach 12 more weeks until it becomes hungry and begins to forage for food, Mirounga angustirostris, Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Mother elephant seal and her pup. The pup will nurse for 27 days, when the mother stops lactating and returns to the sea. The pup will stay on the beach 12 more weeks until it becomes hungry and begins to forage for food.
Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris
Location: Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Image ID: 15418  
Elephant seal pup.  The pup will nurse for 27 days, when the mother stops lactating and returns to the sea.  The pup will stay on the beach 12 more weeks until it becomes hungry and begins to forage for food, Mirounga angustirostris, Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Elephant seal pup. The pup will nurse for 27 days, when the mother stops lactating and returns to the sea. The pup will stay on the beach 12 more weeks until it becomes hungry and begins to forage for food.
Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris
Location: Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Image ID: 15476  
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All photographs copyright © Phillip Colla / Oceanlight.com, all rights reserved worldwide.