Elephant seals

Elephant seals, so named because of the males’ large proboscis, resembling an elephant’s trunk, are extraordinary animals that can dive to great depths in the oceans and even sleep underwater. There are two species, northern and southern elephant seals, who gather in large colonies during mating season, when the males fight for dominance.

Elephant seals sparring, Monterey Bay, California (Frans Lanting/Robert Harding)

Northern elephant seal young males sparring, Monterey Bay, California (Frans Lanting/Robert Harding)

Northern elephant seal young male elephant seals sleeping at beach (Jeffrey Rich/Okapia/Robert Harding)

Southern elephant seal bull uses  vocalisation and produces steam, Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands, South America (Eleanor Scriven/Robert Harding)

Symbiosis between seal elephant and penguin, Antarctica (Henryk Sadura/Robert Harding)

Southern elephant seal weaner pups, Snow Island, Antarctica, Polar Regions (Michael Nolan/Robert Harding)

Northern elephant seals and California sea lions, Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, California (Frans Lanting/Robert Harding)

See more photos of elephant seals here

Travelling through food

Photographer Tim MacPherson has made these awesome country maps, made from nations’ most iconic dishes.

Bacon in the shape of the UK (Tim MacPherson/Robert Harding)

Chicken curry and spices in the shape of India (Tim MacPherson/Robert Harding)

Tomato pasta sauce in the shape of Italy (Tim MacPherson/Robert Harding)

Slice of beef in the shape of the US (Tim MacPherson/Robert Harding)

See more tasty food and travel photography here

Texas in pictures

The lone star state has been scoring highly on ‘top destination’ lists recently. Cities like Austin and Houston are buzzing as artists, musicians and entrepreneurs thrive. And its wide open spaces, home to  cowboys, mountains and wildflower meadows are ripe for exploring (Texas is the size of a whole country in itself). Road trip anyone? We chose some of our favourite photos of Texas from our archive.

A young cowgirl carries a Texas flag while riding across green fields (Aurora Photos/Robert Harding)

 

Ice skating in Central Park

We love this photo of ice skaters at dusk in Central Park, New York.

(Photo: age fotostock/Robert Harding)