Outdoors, action and adventure

Angler lands 920-pound bluefin tuna, despite hungry sharks

A fisherman off Bermuda landed a bluefin tuna that measured 10 feet long and weighed 920 pounds—even after losing large chunks from its tail section to voracious sharks.

Andrew Card was alone on his cruiser and caught the behemoth last Wednesday after a 2-hour fight. He could feel sharks tugging at the fish while it was still deep in the water column, he told BerNews.

The angler radioed the captain of a nearby boat for help loading the catch through the transom door. The tuna was weighed at Spanish Point Boat Club. Here's a video showing the tuna, minus what the sharks stole:

 

California DFG devotes website to wolf from Oregon (OR7)

The California Department of Fish and Game reports that a gray wolf from Oregon, named OR7, remains inside the state and that a website has been established to post updates on the predator's status.

"At this time, there is only one documented gray wolf living in the wild in California," states a passage on the website.

OR7, a young male wolf originally from a pack in northeast Oregon, made headlines during a zig-zagging adventure that spanned across the Cascades and ultimately into eastern Lassen County in Northern California.

The wolf, which was fitted with a GPS collar before he left the pack, is the first known wild wolf to have ranged in the Golden State in nearly 90 years. The last one was killed by a trapper in 1924.

The only known probable photograph of OR7 is a black-and-white trail-camera image captured in Butte County, in Southern Oregon, last Nov. 1 (top right).

The presence of OR7 and the possibility of other wolves entering California has farmers and ranchers worried, because wolves are notorious for livestock predation in some areas in western states where they've flourished since recently being reintroduced.

The California DFG is formulating a wolf policy in case other wolves return to California and what was once prime wolf habitat.

OR7 and other gray wolves that might enter California are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the DFG will post only general information regarding OR7's whereabouts.

In a news release, the DFG states that many reported sightings of gray wolves in California have been investigated in recent years, but most of those turned out to involve coyotes or dogs.

The DFG adds that wolves pose little threat to humans. "Concerns about human safety are largely based on folklore and are unsubstantiated," the news release states. "In recent years there was one human mortality in Canada caused either by wolves or bears and one confirmed human mortality in Alaska by wolves.

"[But] based on experience from states where substantial wolf populations now exist, wolves pose little risk to humans. However, DFG recommends that people never approach a wolf, or otherwise interact with or feed a wolf."

Farmers and ranchers can reduce the threat of livestock predation "by removing potential sources of food and other attractants from their land, such as discarded animal carcasses, bone piles, etc."

-- Trail-cam image shows what is likely OR7 during his trek through Southern Oregon toward California. DFG website graphic shows OR7's path in California through a period through Jan. 11

Image 'likely' that of famous Oregon wolf, now in California

It turns out that a photo of the Oregon gray wolf that crossed into California last week, and is still roaming in the Golden State, most likely does exist (at right).

OR-7, a 2-year-old wolf that made history on Dec. 28 by becoming the first known wild wolf in California in nearly 90 years, has been tracked by Oregon biologists since they fitted him with a GPS collar last February.

They did not take a photo, though, and there were no verified sightings of the predator as it trekked from northeast Oregon to California on a zig-zagging path spanning more than 700 miles.

But Allen Daniels, a deer hunter, has come forward with an image produced via his trail camera last Nov. 1 in the woods east of Butte Falls in Southern Oregon.

Roblyn Brown, assistant wolf biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, told the Ashland Daily Tidings that satellite tracking technology confirmed OR-7's presence in that area at the time the image was captured.

She added that the image was "likely" that of OR-7.

The wolf remains in California and has been ranging in a large area within Siskiyou County.

Its presence has ranchers concerned that others might follow and establish a new population in California. The state Department of Fish and Game is working on a plan that deals with the eventual return of wolves.

OR-7, who also became the first wolf west of Oregon's Cascades in 65 years, is believed to be searching for a mate if he didn't find an un-collared companion in Oregon.

Are transient orcas expanding range into Southern California?

At least 10 killer whales were spotted late Sunday afternoon and again Monday off the Palos Verdes Peninsula, stealing the spotlight from migrating gray whales.

They're the same orcas that appeared in the same area on Dec. 10, and a day later off Newport Beach, and the increasing frequency of their visits suggests that transient killer whales are expanding their range into Southern California, possibly taking advantage of an exceedingly abundant sea lion population.

"There's no question that sightings are increasing," said Alisa Schulman-Janiger, who runs the California Killer Whale Project and catalogues individual orcas based on distinct markings. "Especially with the 51s. They seem to have become really fond of this area."

The killer whales spotted Sunday and Monday are from at least two family groups: the CA51s (seven whales) and CA 140s (three whales). These groups are most commonly seen off Monterey in Central California.

Transient killer whales prey largely on marine mammals, especially sea lions, whose population off California has been increasing since 1975. Transient orcas were first documented off Southern California in 1998.

Sightings were sporadic until recently. The CA51s, which often travel with one or two smaller family groups, have been documented in Southland waters at least a dozen times during the last two years.

They're famously boat-friendly, which makes for easy close encounters when they're around.

Interestingly, another marine mammal-eating group of killer whales, the L.A. Pod, shifted inexplicably from Southern California to Mexican waters in the 1990s.

It could be that over time, transient orcas began to feel more comfortable visiting the region. "The L.A. Pod was the only gang in town," Schulman-Janiger said. "If the L.A. Pod shifted to Baja, that could have left niche to be filled. It could be that this group [of transients] made a foray down here and found a lot of goodies. Most times they come down they're documented killing sea lions. "

On Sunday, Volunteers manning the Point Vicente Interpretive Center patio for the ACS/LA Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project witnessed the orcas breaching, spy-hopping and lob-tailing. Passengers aboard commercial whale-watching boats enjoyed much closer views, and in one case a baby orca seemed to have rubbed against the hull of a whale-watching boat.

Diane Alps, who was aboard the First String on Sunday, provided the accompanying image, showing a mother orca and her young calf.

Visibility on Monday morning was hampered by dense fog, but when the fog dissipated, there were the orcas, two miles offshore. It didn't take long before passengers aboard several boats were alongside them.

--Image is courtesy of Diane Alps

--Note: Schulman-Janiger would like to see fresh killer whale images and can be reached at Janiger@cox.net

Wolf from Oregon is first to roam California in nearly 90 years

The cry of the wolf may now be heard in California for the first time in nearly 90 years, thanks to the presence of young gray wolf that entered state territory on Wednesday from Oregon.

The 2 1/2-year-old male wolf, named OR7 by Oregon wildlife officials, had already gained notoriety for a zig-zagging trek that spanned more than 700 miles from northeast Oregon, across the Cascades, to the southwestern part of the state.

The California Department of Fish and Game announced Thursday that OR7 had entered Siskiyou County, just south of the Oregon border. He becomes the first known wild wolf to have ranged in California since 1924, when the last verified gray wolf was killed by a trapper in Lassen County.

OR7's trek is believed to have been sparked by a desire to find a mate and new territory. It remains unclear whether the wolf, which has a GPS collar unit that sporadically relays his position, found an un-collared mate during his travels.

OR7 has avoided large towns and there have been no verified sightings of the predator since he was collared last February. There are no photographs of the animal, adding to its mysterious allure.

While some might find this news exciting, California ranchers are wary about the possibility of wolf expansion into the state, because of the threat that would pose to livestock, and the California DFG is already formulating a plan to deal with the eventual return of wolves.

"Whether one is for it or against it, the entry of this lone wolf into California is an historic event and result of much work by the wildlife agencies in the West," said DFG Director Charlton H. Bonham. "If the gray wolf does establish a population in California, there will be much more work to do here."

Oregon wolf's epic journey may lead to California

A lone Oregon wolf in search of a mate and new territory is gaining notoriety for an epic journey that experts believe may continue into California. If that happens the wily predator will become the first confirmed wild wolf in the Golden State in nearly 90 years.

The 2 1/2-year-old male gray wolf, labeled by Oregon wildlife officials simply as OR7, has traveled a remarkable 730 miles since dispersing from the Imnaha pack in northeastern Oregon in September.

Biologists have not physically spotted OR7, and there have been no verified sightings of the animal since he began his marathon quest. But a GPS tracking unit relays OR7's position daily and he's presently utilizing wilderness northeast of Medford in portions of Klamath and Jackson counties, as close as 30 miles from California. It remains unclear whether he found an un-collared mate early in his travels.

OR7 is one of 24 known wolves in Oregon and the first documented wolf west of the Cascades in more than 60 years.

Though he has avoided towns, or passed through them undetected, he has acquired many fans, including environmental groups and Oregon school kids who are following his progress while participating in an Oregon Wild campaign to invent a more suitable name for OR7.

On its website, Oregon Wild spokesman Sean Stevens stated, "Part of the mystery of this wolf is we don't know what he looks like. Nobody has ever seen him."

But not everybody is a fan. Wolves were eradicated from the West in the early 1900s by trappers, and by ranchers trying to protect their  livestock.

The reintroduction of wolves in the Northern Rockies in 1995 was controversial because of concerns about livestock and possible impacts on elk herds in some areas. But the predators, believed to play an important role in a healthy ecosystem by thinning deer and elk herds of their weakest members, have flourished and spread to six states.

Space video takes viewers on incredible voyage over Earth

 

A time-lapse video produced from the International Space Station as it orbits the planet at night affords viewers a unique perspective of portions of our world and their population centers and weather patterns.

The soundless movie, which has gone viral since it was posted on YouTube last week, begins over the Pacific and delivers views (in order) of North, Central and South America, and Antarctica. City lights are plainly visible, as are lightning storms and cloud patterns.

If you look closely you might be able to make out your home city, whether in the Pacific Northwest, the Southwestern U.S., Mexico, Central or South America, including the vast Amazon region.

Also visible, as a thin yellow line, is earth's ionosphere. This is definitely a ride worth taking.

Yosemite National Park volunteer cleanup event Sept. 21-25

Yosemite National Park is a place of such stunning scenery and natural beauty that it's alarming to imagine visitors would trash the place.

But, sadly they do -- and so the Yosemite Climbing Assn. is requesting volunteers to lend a hand picking up other people's refuse during the eighth annual "Yosemite Facelift," taking place Sept. 21-25. Participants will assist picking up litter at various locations in the park, including roadways, trails, climbing routes, the river corridor, and in parking, camping and lodging areas.

Last year, more than 1,000 Facelift volunteers collected approximately 172,000-pounds of debris -- of which about 80% was recycled -- and cleaned up in excess of 160 miles of roadway, 100 miles of trails and 20 miles of river area.

Interested volunteers should sign up at the booth in front of the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. A second check-in station will be located at Lembert Dome Parking Area in Tuolumne Meadows, and will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Friday through Sunday.

Crew leaders will be on hand to distribute trash bags, litter sticks and gloves and organize work groups.

Cleanup participants will have access to all sorts of events, including a daily raffle, evening programs and an end of event reception with complimentary food and drinks and live music.

Those unable to participate during the cleanup but still interested in helping may make a tax deductible donation to help pay for costs associated with the effort. Donations can be made to the Yosemite Climbing Assn, P.O. Box 89, Yosemite, CA 95389.

I applaud the efforts of the organizers and volunteers, though find it bothersome that people can visit such a wonderous treasure and not have the decency to pick up after themselves.

Image of some of the debris collected last year courtesy of Yosemite Climbing Assn.

TV news crew treated to extremely rare blue whale serenade

*Update: Click here for updated version of this story with video

Blue whales are being seen fairly frequently this summer off Southern California, but the planet's largest creatures are almost never heard vocalizing above the surface.

On Tuesday off Long Beach, however, an NBC crew and biologists aboard the Christopher, during a special morning run, witnessed this extremely rare phenomenon as a large blue whale surfaced alongside the vessel and, with much of its head above the surface, issued a deep, low-pitch groan that lasted nearly 10 seconds.

"We heard it through the air, loud and clear," said Alisa Schulman-Janiger, an American Cetacean Society researcher. "It was a strange, alien sound. It really was an extraordinary thing."

Blue whales communicate, for up to hundreds of miles, with low-pitched vocalizations. The vocalizations can sometimes be picked up via submerged hydrophones, but the majestic leviathans, which can measure 100 feet and weigh 150 tons, are not known for making sounds other than those associated with breathing while at the surface.

Those aboard the Christopher -- a naturalist from the Aquarium of the Pacific also was aboard -- were treated to blue whale vocalization twice, as the same whale repeated this behavior on the other side of the boat.

Afterward, Schulman-Janiger phoned John Calambokidis, one of the world's top blue whale scientists. He told her that in his extensive study of blue whales around the world, he had never heard above-surface vocalization from a blue whale.

"I told the reporters on the boat, "You don't understand but you will never see this type of behavior again,' " Schulman-Janiger said.

About 2,000 blue whales -- part of an endangered global population of roughly 10,000 -- spend part of each summer and fall off California gorging on tiny shrimp-like krill. A single blue whale can consume four tons of krill, which flourishes in massive blooms in nutrient-rich areas where upwelling occurs, per day.

The whales feed almost constantly but the four whales alongside the Christopher, perhaps having had their fill, were clearly cavorting and possibly engaging in courtship behavior. They lunged, or raced across the surface, at times lifting their heads and chin-slapping in what seemed a game of follow the leader. Typically, it's a female in the lead.

It was during a break that the largest whale paused and was "like a log in the water," Schulman-Janiger said, when it began to vocalize. There were no bubbles from below and was no movement of the blow holes, which were clearly visible. The sound appeared to have come from deep within.

Schulman-Janiger used terms such as "otherworldly" and "spooky" while trying to describe the sound, but judging from her enthusiasm it was still music to the ears.

(Footage of the encounter aired Wednesday on the Nightly News.)

-- Blue whale images courtesy of Alisa Schulman-Janiger

Texas bison herd will have an expanded home to roam

Descendants of the once vast Southern Plains bison herd now have an expanded home where they'll roam at Caprock Canyons State Park in Texas.

The 80 bison -- whose ancestors were part of a herd that prior to the 1870s numbered between 30-60 million head -- have a range covering more than  700 acres of restored native grass prairie, which will also allow park visitors to have a more up-close encounter with the mammals. Until now, the official state bison herd was confined to a 300-acre area of the park and could only be viewed from a considerable distance.

"This is first and foremost a restoration project, not an exhibit" said park superintendent Donald Beard. "We’re not just showing the bison, but are restoring an indigenous animal to its native habitat. For park visitors, it will be just like experiencing deer, roadrunners or any other wildlife in the wild. But it’s important to remember that the bison have the right-of-way and need to be given a large buffer zone." (Beard is in the below video, sharing interesting tidbits about bison -- about this herd and bison in general.)

An official ribbon cutting marking the completion of Phase I -- the release of the bison into their expanded range -- will take place Saturday at 9 a.m. to kick off the Caprock Partners Foundation’s Texas State Bison Herd Restoration Celebration. Weekend entry fees to the park will be waived and there will be exhibits, interactive displays and food and drink booths, including a booth offering a bison burger meal with proceeds going toward the restoration project.

Future phases of the project, depending on adequate funding, have the ultimate goal of restoring the herd to the park’s entire 15,000-acres.

 Photo: Remnants of the great Southern Plains bison herd enjoy their new 700-acre expanded range of restored native prairie at Texas' Caprock Canyons State Park. Credit: Earl Nottingham / Texas Parks & Wildlife Department