Pete Thomas Outdoors

Time to be on lookout for Yellowstone grizzly bears

Spring is just around the corner, and in Yellowstone National Park that means it’s time to be on the lookout for grizzly bears.

If the past few years are an indication, the first sighting of 2022 could occur any day, despite cold temperatures in the park.

In 2019, the first known sighting occurred March 8. The bear was spotted between Canyon Village and the Fishing Bridge. Paw prints from another grizzly bear were discovered days later between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Junction.

In 2020, the first sighting was logged March 7 near Grand Prismatic Spring in the Midway Geyser Basin.

“Now that bears are emerging from winter dens, visitors should be excited for the chance to view and photograph them, but they should also treat bears with respect and caution,” Kerry Gunther, the park’s bear management specialist, said after the sighting was announced.

In 2021, the first sighting was logged March 13 by a pilot participating in a wildlife study over an undisclosed location. The bear was interacting with wolves that were feeding on a large animal carcass.

“When bears first emerge from hibernation, they look for carcasses at lower elevations and spring vegetation in thermal meadows and south-facing slopes for nourishment,” Gunther explained.

Male grizzly bears are typically first to emerge from hibernation, beginning in early March. Momma bears with cubs leave their dens in April and early May.

Although wintry weather might persist in and around the park for the next several weeks, visitors are urged to exercise caution.

“Hikers, skiers, and snowshoers should travel in groups of three or more, carry bear spray, and make noise,” Gunther cautioned.

According to Yellowstone National Park, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear population is an estimated 728 bears. About 150 grizzly bears occupy territory inside or partially inside the park.

–Grizzly bear images are courtesy of Yellowstone National Park

San Diego whale watchers encounter giant Mola mola

By Pete Thomas

For a group of San Diego whale watchers on Tuesday, the highlight did not involve whales or dolphins, but a bizarre-looking Mola mola.

The surprise encounter occurred 10 miles southwest of Mission Bay as Capt. Domenic Biagini, of Gone Whale Watching San Diego, was searching for cetaceans.

The Mola mola, or ocean sunfish, stood out because of its immense size and pale coloration as it lolled beneath the surface.

“It was really neat because most of the people on the boat specialized in diving, so this whole trip was something different for them,” Biagini said. “Right as they got on the boat they asked about molas, and I explained how we haven’t seen that many this year. So for this to have happened on this specific trip made it that much more special.”

Mola molas are the world’s largest bony fishes (these do not include sharks or rays) and can measure up to 14 feet and weigh 5,000 pounds. They inhabit tropical and temperate seas and feed primarily on sea jellies, squid, small fish, and crustaceans.

Because of their truncated bodies, the position of their fins, and their odd-shaped mouths, their appearance is otherworldly. Or, as the Monterey Bay Aquarium states on its website, “Ocean sunfish, or molas, look like the invention of a mad scientist.”

Biagini said most Mola molas encountered off Southern California measure 2 to 3 feet, but the sunfish that swam around his boat for 10 minutes on Tuesday measured at least 7 feet.

“It was by far the largest I’ve ever seen,” he said.

The divers on the boat were so impressed that some were tempted to jump in for a swim with the docile critter. “It was hard keeping them in the boat,” Biagini joked. “But everyone behaved.”

–Images courtesy of Gone Whale Watching San Diego

Dolphins race along shoreline as beachgoers watch in awe

By Pete Thomas

A photographer in Western Australia has captured video footage showing four dolphins in a sprint down the beach a mere stone’s throw from shore.

A 100-meter dolphin dash, if you will. A marine mammal version of a horse race, with the inside lane seemingly producing a clear winner.

The remarkable footage was captured Wednesday at Yanchep Lagoon by Carly Sinden, who said the dolphins raised their heads collectively, as if announcing themselves, before launching their speedy exhibition.

“They were so inquisitive and friendly, and even swam around the school kids who were in the lagoon having their school swimming lesson,” Sinden, who specializes in newborn baby photography, told FTW Outdoors.

Sinden also captured a second clip showing the dolphins racing in the opposite direction, this time with people in the water. One wader was a mere inches from one of the friendly mammals, and didn’t flinch as it dashed past him.

Said Sinden: “It’s something I will never forget and makes me grateful to call this beautiful place home.”

Yanchep Lagoon, near Perth, is popular among swimmers and snorkelers, who apparently never know what they might see.

–Image and videos courtesy of Carly Sinden Photography

Young humpback whale learns how to feed on bait ball off Newport Beach; video

 

Adult humpback whales and youngster (left) forage on anchovy bait ball. Photo: ©Chelsea Mayer/Newport Coastal Adventure

By Pete Thomas

On Tuesday, a day before a storm rolled into Southern California, three humpback whales were encountered under ideal conditions off Newport Beach.

It turned out to be a rare and magical experience for those on the Newport Coastal Adventure excursion, as one of the whales was a calf or young juvenile, less than a year old, learning to feed on schooling anchovies.

Stunning aerial footage, captured by Chelsea Mayer, shows the anchovies tightly bunched into a massive bait ball, and the young whale following the lead of the adults as they lunge through the ball, ingesting thousands of anchovies per gulp.

“Notice the smallest whale, still a baby, learning how to lunge feed from its mom; so cute!” reads the Facebook video description.

Mayer, a photographer for Newport Coastal Adventure, wrote on Instagram: “This is the first time I’ve seen multiple whales lunge feeding together in Newport Beach, and it’s no wonder – look at the size of that bait ball!”

 

Young humpback whale (left) learning to feed off Newport Beach. Photo: ©Chelsea Mayer/Newport Coastal Adventure

One of the adult whales could be the mom, but it could also be that the young whale, recently weaned, is merely tagging along with two larger companions.

Alisa Schulman-Janiger, a Southern California-based whale researcher, told For The Win that humpback whale calves are born between December and March, and usually separate from their moms in late summer.

It’s likely that this trio is migrating from Central California to spend the winter off Mexico or Central America.

–Images are courtesy of Chelsea Mayer/Newport Coastal Adventure

 

Popular Bali dive spot fills with plastic pollution; disturbing scene captiured on video

By Pete Thomas

Video showing a scuba diver’s eerie swim through a sea of garbage off Bali this week vividly illustrates the alarming extent of plastic in our oceans.

Rich Horner used a pole-cam off Manta Point to show the extent to which non-biodegradable plastic and other garbage flows the currents around Bali and other Indonesian islands.

Manta Bay is a renowned diving and snorkeling destination. Giant mantas utilize the bay as a cleaning station – where tiny fish remove their parasites – and represent the primary allure for divers. But on this day it seemed best for humans and mantas to avoid the area or risk becoming ill.

“The ocean currents brought us in a lovely gift of a slick of jellyfish, plankton, leaves, branches, fronds, sticks, etc.... Oh, and some plastic,” Horner wrote on Facebook.

“Some plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic cups, plastic sheets, plastic buckets, plastic sachets, plastic straws, plastic baskets, plastic bags, more plastic bags, plastic, plastic, so much plastic!” Horton, a Bali resident, added: “Surprise, surprise, there weren't many Mantas there at the cleaning station today... They mostly decided not to bother.” 

Giant mantas inhabit tropical waters around the world. 9News reports that the nation last year pledged to spend $1 billion per year to reduce this type of pollution.

The scene provided by Horton is reminiscent of a scene presented five years ago by Zak Noyle. The surfer-photographer’s images showed large pollution-filled waves breaking over the heads of other surfers.

As bad as the pollution problem was during Horton’s dive, he said currents swept the area clean the following day. “As expected, the next day, what the currents bringeth, the currents taketh away!” Horton wrote.

“The divers who went to Manta Point today report they saw no plastic/trash at all. Great for the mantas coming in for a clean at the station, but, sadly the plastic is continuing on its journey, off into the Indian Ocean, to slowly break up into smaller and smaller pieces, into microplastics. But not going away.”

Scuba divers enjoy face-to-face encounter with gray whale off Monterey (video)

Video screen grab shows how close the whale was to the divers

By Pete Thomas

Scuba divers could barely contain their excitement during a rare face-to-face encounter with a gray whale Sunday off Monterey, Ca.

Ben Laboy and Nicole Guido-Estrada were part of an expedition with Bamboo Reef Scuba Diving Centers when the curious mammal approached, as the divers screamed with glee through their breathing gear.

“Had the experience of a lifetime this morning when a gray whale came up to say hi to me and Nicole on our boat dive at McAbee Pinnacle in Monterey Bay!” Laboy wrote on Facebook. “I will never forget looking into the eye of this majestic animal!”

Reached via email, Laboy said the encounter occurred at a depth of about 40 feet, not far from fabled Cannery Row in downtown Monterey.

“I had seen something behind Nicole, and was squinting at it for a solid 5-10 seconds trying to figure out if it was moving or not," Laboy said. "And then when it materialized, we both realized it was an animal, and that's about where the video starts."

Asked what they were screaming into their masks, Laboy said, “I think I was just saying, ‘Oh my god, that's a whale!” and Nicole probably exclaimed something a bit more colorful, haha.”

Alisa Schulman-Janiger, a California-based whale researcher, said the gray whale’s behavior appeared to stem from curiosity. The divers did not seem to be in danger.

A Bamboo Reef spokesman said two others in a group of 10 also saw the whale.

The gray whale population is estimated to number about 29,000. The mammals, which can measure to about 50 feet and weigh up to 40 tons, are migrating from summer feeding grounds in Arctic waters to winter nursing lagoons in Baja California, Mexico.

The southbound migration is currently peaking off Central and Southern California.

On Sunday, Monterey Bay Whale Watch reported multiple sightings Sunday and posted video clips showing the barnacled cetaceans migrating along the coast (clip posted above).

Baby dolphin hitches ride on mom's back – and makes everyone's day

Baby dolphin seems to smile for boaters. Photo: Mandy Wilson/Rockingham Wild Encounters

By Pete Thomas

A photographer off Western Australia has captured an extraordinary image showing a newborn dolphin riding on mom’s back – and seemingly smiling in delight.

Mandy Wilson, who was with Rockingham Wild Encounters off Perth, snapped away as the baby bottlenose dolphin was lifted above the surface, as the pod traveled to nearby Penguin Island.

“When you’re this cute, you’ll always get away with it!” Rockingham Wild Encounters wrote on Facebook. “We love meeting the new additions in the bay and the local mums love showing them off to us!”

 

The dolphin is so young that you can see fetal folds on its skin. More than likely, the “mum” is simply lifting the calf for a brief look around.

Cetacean researcher Alisa Schulman-Janiger explained on Facebook:  “Other cetacean moms – including gray whales and humpback whales, are also known to lift up curious calves.”

Mysterious sharks greet scientists probing shadowy depths off California; video

By Pete Thomas

One of the planet’s largest shark species is rarely encountered because it roams the shadowy depths between 600 and 3,000-plus feet. The sixgill shark, which can measure to about 18 feet, is therefore mysterious and alluring.

That’s why scientists aboard the EV Nautilus were excited to document the presence of two sixgill sharks last week while using an ROV to probe the depths around California’s Channel Islands.

 

Appearing out of the darkness 200m deep in @NOAA_CINMS, a bluntnose sixgill shark cruised by us last night! Species max length: over 16ft! pic.twitter.com/NbTWphijX5

— E/V Nautilus (@EVNautilus) July 11, 2017

Both encounters, although brief, were caught on video as the sharks entered the ROV’s lights. (Videos accompany this post.)

“That could be a sixgill shark,” one of the crew says in the first minute-long clip, posted to Twitter on July 11.

Moments later the robust shark is fully in view, prompting a scientist to marvel, “Wow… check this out,” as the shark swims slowly through artificial light.

 

The next day a different sixgill shark provided a longer and closer look, inspiring this remark, “He’s giving us a little show.”

During the second encounter, a crab briefly stole the spotlight as it crawled across the ocean floor, and into the ROV’s lights, toting another crab in its claws. (In the YouTube video at 1:07.)

“Is that a taxicrab?” a scientist wondered aloud, prompting another scientist to answer, “It’s an Uber crab.”

The researchers did not identify the crab species, but there was no mistaking the shark species.

Sixgill sharks are so-named because they possess six gill slits on each side of their heads, versus five for most other shark species.

The peculiar-looking sharks, which prey largely on seals, fish, squid, crabs and smaller sharks, are most closely related to fossil species dating back 200 million years to the Triassic period of the Mesozoic Era.

Scientists capture rare video footage of a Mola mola 200 feet beneath the surface

Mola molas are observed sporadically off Southern California as they drift with the currents and prey largely on sea jellies.

Spotting one of these bizarre-looking creatures is usually considered a bonus for boaters who might be fishing or searching for whales and other marine mammals.

But late last week scientists aboard the EV Nautilus received a super-rare treat when a Mola mola appeared in the video feed of the vessel’s ROV – at a depth of 200 feet.

How do you totally derail an ROV exploration dive? Two words: Mola mola. Spotted at 200ft in @NOAA_CINMS. pic.twitter.com/qi54NEiwEx

— E/V Nautilus (@EVNautilus) July 14, 2017

The scientists, exploring within the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, were in awe of the sight of the alien-like denizen, which appears to have been attracted by the ROV’s lights.

“It’s staring right at us… wow!” one of the scientists says.

The EV Nautilus is conducting a yearlong exploration of the Eastern Pacific, from Canada to Mexico’s Revillagigedo Islands.

Mola molas are the planet’s heaviest bony fish. They can reach sizes of about 14 feet vertically and 10 feet horizontally, and can weigh as much as 5,000 pounds. Only sharks and rays, which are cartilaginous rather than bony, are heavier.

–Image is a video screen grab

Whale shark ‘longer than a school bus’ surprises scuba divers off Florida (video)

By Pete Thomas

A Florida family was greeted Sunday by a whale shark “longer than a school bus” and accompanied by hundreds of smaller fish.

“I heard my husband yelling over his regulator and looked up to see a what looked like a rolling cloud,” Brock said. “There were cobia and remoras everywhere - then I realized they were attached to something, and that something was a whale shark!”

The rare encounter with a 30- to 35-foot whale shark occurred off West Palm Beach as Brock was scuba diving with her husband, Keith Brock, her 13-year-old cousin, Addie, and their guide, Craig Buss.

Whale sharks are the planet’s largest fish and can reach lengths of about 40 feet. Fortunately for humans, they’re filter feeders and subside largely on plankton and small fishes.

Brock and her group had been diving with Pura Vida Divers at spot called The Trench, and had begun its ascent ascent from about 60 feet when the whale shark materialized in the distance.

“They are rare in Florida,” Brock said. “People dive their entire lives and never get to witness that.”

Making the experience more surreal were all the remoras and cobras attached to or swirling around the whale shark. (Remoras often attach to sharks and will eat parasites and other organisms from the skin of the host animals.)

“Our teeth were chattering,” Brock said. “The whale shark swam right at us, and then through us. Such a gentle giant. He barely had to flick his tail (which was much taller than me) to gracefully glide through the water.

“When he started to swim away we all just looked at each other in total disbelief. It was the most amazing experience I've ever had diving!”