Females usually give birth about a week after they've some ashore.

Here you see a new-born pup. This pup is only about a day old, and you'll rarely see this end of them. They spend most of their day suckling, gaining almost 10 ponds a day in their 4 - 6 week nursing period.

Born around 70 pounds, this pup will probably be between 250 to 300 pounds at a 28 day weaning period.

Born black, they'll also have their first molt at around the time their weaned and develop a silver coat. They'll stay in the area around 3 1/2 months.

Their mothers lose 2 pounds for every pound the pups gain. The milk is over 50% fat. Once the pups are weaned, they return to the ocean to eat and regain strength.

The storms really thinned out the population of juveniles on the beach. Many sought higher ground on the sand dunes surrounding the area. Here you see a couple of adult males posturing. If there's an obvious difference in size the smaller male will usually give up without a physical confrontation.

If the males are similar in size, battle can last 30 - 45 minutes. While they're battling, smaller males will try to sneak in and mate while the males distracted. However, this close to birth the females aren't interested.