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

Humpback whale and newborn calf play role in man falling overboard

By Pete Thomas

A tourist in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, while flying a drone from his hotel balcony, has captured footage of a humpback whale helping to cause a man to fall overboard. Also featured in Lou Boyer's footage is a humpback whale calf born just hours earlier, and turkey vultures going after the drone.

Boyer's footage, captured Nov. 29 from Playa Grande Resort, is wonderfully narrated but here are a few observations:

The whales in question appear at 52 seconds and involve a momma humpback whale and her newborn calf – likely born the same day – and most likely a male “escort” whale.

It’s almost certainly not the father, as mentioned in the footage. Male humpbacks mate with multiple females and do not show loyalty to a single female after mating.

It’s typical for an “escort” to travel with a momma and calf, according to researcher Alisa Schulman-Janiger, as sort of a protector hoping, at some point, for a mating opportunity.

Also, keep an eye on the man, or person, in the pink shirt. As momma whale approaches the boat while supporting the calf on her head, the man lays down at the bow and tries to touch the calf.

As the whales swim beneath the boat toward the stern, the other people move to the port side briefly while the man in the pink shirt walks toward the stern on the starboard side.

The whale seems to be nudging the boat just before the other people rush back to the starboard side, causing the boat to sharply tilt, dumping the man overboard.

So this sudden shift of weight, perhaps more than the nudging of the vessel by the whale, appears to have led to the man falling overboard. (He was safely lifted back aboard.)

At this point, a small patch of blood appears near momma whale’s flukes. As researcher Nico Ransome pointed out via social media, the newborn calf  – note the floppiness of its flukes – and the blood could have spilled from the mother’s birth canal.

An unrelated highlight begins at 2:39, as turkey vultures begin pursuing Boyer’s drone as it’s being retrieved over the rocky landscape. At 3:18 one of the large birds swoops in and is captured on camera at close range.

Boyer, who is from Huntington Beach, Calif., took evasive measures and safely retrieved his device.

Yellowstone to reopen roads for spring and summer

By Pete Thomas

Yellowstone National Park has announced that select roads and concession services will reopen for spring and summer on Friday at 8 a.m.

As an added bonus for travelers this weekend, entrance fees will be waived Saturday as part of the annual National Park Week celebration.

The spring thaw is underway in the vast park, which encompasses portions of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.

Migratory birds are arriving, bears are waking up, bison births are occurring and, of course, geysers are blowing steam.

Roads scheduled to open include the West Entrance to Old Faithful;  Mammoth Hot Springs to Old Faithful (through Norris), and Norris to Canyon Village.

The road connecting the North Entrance to Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Northeast Entrance across the park, is open year-round.

The park reminds travelers that weather can change rapidly during spring and that can affect road conditions. Visitors are urged to check the park website for updated road conditions before making daily plans.

Springtime visitors will find limited but expanding hiking opportunities, as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities at higher elevations.

–Images are courtesy of Yellowstone National Park and the National Park Service

Charging Yellowstone bison leaves tourists in awe; video

By Pete Thomas

Bison are enormous and might seem ungainly, but they're surprisingly fast, which is why tourists in Yellowstone National Park are cautioned to keep a safe distance.

The accompanying footage, captured by photographer Richard Peters, shows an enormous bison sprinting past the touring vehicle at top speed on a snow-covered road.

As viewers will note, the tourists were amazed by the speed of the beast as it charged within a few feet of their vehicle.

Peters, who is based in the U.K., wrote on Facebook: “Just got back from an incredible two weeks in Yellowstone, where on one particular day our Natures Images group were reminded just how fast bison can be, when they decide! Quite the close encounter!”

According to the Yellowstone website, bison have injured more tourists than any other animal. While they appear docile, and sometimes are, they’re unpredictable “and can run three times faster than humans.”

The park advises tourists to remain at least 25 yards from bison, which are often referred to as buffalo.

Bison are the largest land-dwelling mammal in North America, with the larger males weighing up to 2,000 pounds. More than 4,500 bison reside seasonally within Yellowstone boundaries.

–Top image showing bison feeding in the snow is courtesy of the National Park Service; second image is a video screen shot

Magical moment off Monterey as humpback whale breaches beneath a rainbow

 

By Pete Thomas

Humpback whales will sometimes breach, or leap, placing their immense size and incredible power on broad display. And when Mother Nature provides a rainbow as a backdrop, such an awesome act appears all the more magical.

The accompanying footage, showing a humpback whale spinning during its breach, was captured Wednesday in California’s Monterey Bay by Cheré Tamura from aboard the the Blackfin out of Monterey Bay Whale Watch.

“Not only did we have Orcas/Killer Whales breaching, we had this magnificent creature who breached in front of a rainbow and right next to our boat!” the company stated on Facebook. “Simply amazing! It has to stand all by itself!”

Definitely a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

–Image is a video screen grab

Report of man shooting at Yellowstone wolves prompts investigation

By Pete Thomas

A report of shots being fired in Yellowstone National Park prompted an investigation that turned up spent shotgun shells, but not the identity of the shooter.

The investigation began Sunday after somebody reported that a man had shot at wolves as they chased his dog in the Sedge Bay area near the East Entrance Road.

According to a news release issued Wednesday, rangers searched the area and found no evidence that wolves were injured.

Investigators are hoping that somebody can identify the man. Discharging firearms in Yellowstone is illegal, and dogs must be leashed or kept in the car. Pets of any kind are not allowed on hiking trails or boardwalks.

The park asks that anyone with information about the incident telephone its tip line at 307-344-2132.

Rare all-white Risso's dolphin spotted twice in past week off Monterey

By Pete Thomas

A rare white dolphin has captured the hearts of marine mammal enthusiasts in California’s Monterey Bay, where the striking mammal has been spotted at least twice within the past week.

The juvenile Risso’s dolphin, almost certainly an albino, was documented via Monterey Bay Whale Watch drone-cam Thursday as it stood out among other dolphins with typical gray coloration and scarring. (Pardon the ominous-sounding music.)

 

“This albino juvenile Risso’s dolphin has rarely been seen in Monterey,” the whale-watching company stated on Facebook. “Today, we had great looks at it and from the drone’s perspective you can see the other Risso’s swimming next to it with ‘normal’ dark gray color and scars from squid and teeth [from other Risso’s dolphins].”

RELATED: Deep-sea denizen wows scientists with bizarre displays during video encounter

On September 14, the same dolphin was photographed by Kate Cummings of Blue Ocean Whale Watch, among others. The white mammal was among hundreds of other Risso’s dolphins. Blue Ocean also logged sightings on Thursday.

The dolphin, which has earned the nickname Casper, was first photo-identified as a calf in 2014, swimming alongside its presumed mother. The mammal was spotted again in 2015, and last year. It might be the only all-white Risso’s dolphin documented around the world. (Some white-colored marine mammals are leucistic,  caused by the absence of some pigment. Albinos are all white with pink-colored eyes.)

Risso’s dolphins are unique in their appearance, featuring bulbous heads, large dorsal fins and gray, scarred bodies. They inhabit tropical and temperate waters around the world.

The large dolphins can measure to 13 feet and weigh 1,100 pounds.

–Images are courtesy of Blue Ocean Whale Watch

 

Tropical Storm Bud delivers high surf, strong winds, and some flooding to Los Cabos

By Pete Thomas

Mexico's Los Cabos region is experiencing powerful surf, gusty winds and street flooding as Tropical Storm Bud approaches Baja California’s tip.

“Our power just went out, you could hear a transformer explode,” Eric Brictson, a sportfishing fleet owner, said from the town of San Jose del Cabo. “Winds will probably reach 50 mph before long. Surf is also pounding.”

In Cabo San Lucas at Land’s End, flooding is occurring on some main avenues, which is common during  heavy rain.

“We are getting more rain now, but I think the ocean is what is most impressive at the moment,” said Rebecca Ehrenberg, a yacht sales specialist with Pisces Group Cabo. “Big waves have flooded the beach next to El Arco Hotel/Villas de Palmar and Tabasco/Cascadas on Medano Beach.

“And, as usual, the highway in front of Walmart has some water already.”

Tropical Storm Bud was located 70 miles south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas at 11 a.m., according to the Florida-based National Hurricane Center. The storm boasted sustained winds of 45 mph, with stronger gusts. Bud is expected to reach the Sea of Cortez as a tropical depression by early Friday morning.

A tropical storm warning remained in effect from Cabo San Lucas north to La Paz.

For the sake of comparison, Tropical Storm Lidia last September came ashore with 65-mph winds. Lidia caused widespread flooding and extensive damage. Tropical Storm Bud is a much weaker system.

–Graphic is courtesy of the National Hurricane Center

Hurricane Bud poised to strike Los Cabos region, likely as a tropical storm

 

By Pete Thomas

Folks in and around Cabo San Lucas are bracing for the late-week arrival of Hurricane Bud, likely as a tropical storm but still potentially dangerous.

At midday Tuesday, Hurricane Bud was located 325 miles south-southeast of the resort city on Baja California’s tip. The storm boasted sustained winds of 125 mph, but was slowly weakening.

“We are expecting to get hit by Bud, we just don't know how hard yet,” Eric Brictson, owner of Gordo Banks Pangas in nearby San Jose del Cabo, said via email. “But either way we are busy preparing, so far just higher surf conditions and humidity. Still fishing today, will become tougher tomorrow, Thursday and Friday. We will hope for the best, though I believe we will get 10 inches or more of rain and have winds gusting near 50 mph.”

According to the Florida-based National Hurricane Center, Bud will remain at hurricane strength – winds 74 mph or stronger – through Wednesday. Tropical Storm Bud will sweep through Los Cabos and up a portion of the peninsula Thursday into Friday, before entering the Sea of Cortez.

Rebecca Ehrenberg, a yacht services specialist with Pisces Group Cabo in Cabo San Lucas, said the port will close Wednesday and remain closed until the storm passes. “We have a big surfing competition at the moment here, so at least the surfers are happy about it,” Ehrenberg said, in reference to large surf generated by the storm.

Ehrenberg added, “Looks like we won’t have too much to worry about, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed and hope that’s the case.”

Last September, Tropical Storm Lidia caused widespread flooding and damage in Los Cabos and as far north as La Paz.

In September 2014, Hurricane Odile came ashore as a Category 3 hurricane, becoming the most powerful storm ever to strike Los Cabos. Buildings were leveled, windows were blown out while hotel guests huddled in rooms, automobiles were flipped, power lines and trees were downed.

Thousands of tourists and residents were forced to stay in shelters after hotels and houses were destroyed. Airports were closed and the National Guard hastened to airlift the sick and elderly to other locations.

Hurricane Bud, currently a Category 3 storm, will weaken significantly before making landfall, but should not be taken lightly.

As of Tuesday morning, no warnings or watches had been issued. But the National Hurricane Center advised, “Interests in southern Baja California Sur, Mexico, should monitor the progress of Bud.”

–Geocolor satellite image of Hurricane Bud is courtesy of the National Weather Service Ocean Prediction Center

 

Massive great white shark, possibly Deep Blue, spotted 500 feet beneath surface (video)

Great white shark appears in lights of submersible at 500 feet

By Pete Thomas

A great white shark named Deep Blue, measuring 20-plus feet and spotted sporadically at Mexico’s Guadalupe Island, has been called the largest great white shark ever caught on video. 

The massive predator was featured  three years ago by Discovery, along with researcher Mauricio Hoyos Padilla. 

Two years ago, Hoyos posted a clip to Facebook showing the female shark cruising ominously past an open-topped cage, dwarfing the divers. “I give you the biggest white shark ever seen in front of the cages in Guadalupe Island,” Hoyos wrote. 

On Friday, Hoyos shared new footage showing what the researcher believes is Deep Blue swimming in the lightless depths at Guadalupe (video posted above).

RELATED: Scuba diver struck from behind by massive great white shark (video)

“Deep Blue in deep water?” Hoyos wrote. “We did an expedition on a submersible at 500 feet in Guadalupe Island this week and look what we saw!”

Viewers enjoy only a fleeting glimpse of a giant white shark turning in the vessel’s lights before vanishing in the darkness.

Deep Blue in a video screen shot from footage shared in 2015

“It’s so big. It’s really big. Wow, look at the belly!” Hoyos says in the footage. “Oh my God… Oh my gosh, it’s really, really big. Wow! Jesus Christ!”

Hoyos confirmed the depth of the sighting – nearly 500 feet – but did not say for sure whether the shark was, in fact, Deep Blue.

Guadalupe Island, 165 miles west of the Baja California port of Ensenada, is seasonal home to dozens of adult great white sharks. Many of the sharks are named, based on distinctive markings, and repeat divers look forward to seeing their favorite sharks on return trips. 

Deep Blue, obviously, is one of Guadalupe’s most sought-after sharks.