Tag: rare encounter

Researchers encounter dozens of rare, shark-eating orcas; video

Footage shows the mysterious killer whales patrolling a submarine canyon off Monterey, Ca. “There were fins everywhere we looked.”

Researchers out of Monterey, Ca., on Thursday enjoyed a rare encounter with mysterious killer whales known to travel in massive pods and prey on deepwater sharks.

“There were fins everywhere we looked on the horizon,” Capt. Evan Brodsky, of Monterey Bay Whale Watch, told ForTheWin Outdoors. “They were spread out for miles.” (Video posted below.)

It was the first known encounter involving a large pod of “offshore” killer whales, or orcas, in Monterey Bay since November 2021.

Boaters in the region are far more likely to encounter “transient” orcas, which prey on other marine mammals, including gray whales.

Offshore killer whales, as their ecotype association implies, typically range far from shore between Southern California and Alaska. Brodsky’s footage shows them in sub-groups over a submarine canyon as close as six miles from shore.

He was with Tomoko Shimotomai and Colleen Talty of the California Killer Whale Project, and photographer Daniel Bianchetta. They were traveling west aboard a 20-foot inflatable boat when they spotted dorsal fins sprouting from the surface.

“We just kept moving west from group to group for another 12 miles, so at my furthest point we were 18 miles out,” Brodsky said, adding the entire pod included more than 60 orcas.

Nancy Black, co-founder of the California Killer Whale Project, said offshore killer whale sightings, while rare, are more likely to occur during the winter. Pod sizes off California typically number 25 to 40 individuals, but they can be much larger.

Offshore killer whales prey largely on sharks, including deepwater sleeper sharks, which boast large and fatty livers. But the orcas also prey on fish, such as Pacific halibut and salmon.

Brodsky said his group did not witness feeding, but added: “There were a lot of birds around, and a very strong fishy, oily smell. Some of the other vessels in the area reported seeing fish scales in the water.”

He said that observing the offshore killer whales for the first time “was like winning the gold medal at the Olympics.”

Watch: Orca performs ‘headstand’ during rare San Diego sighting

The Eastern Tropical Pacific killer whales, more commonly spotted off Mexico, are famously boat friendly.

When Eastern Tropical Pacific killer whales visit San Diego waters via Mexico, it’s always exciting for observers.

For starters, the ETPs visit primarily to hunt common dolphins. These predation events, while deadly for dolphins, are acrobatic spectacles that showcase the orcas’ skills as cunning, top-level predators.

But also, ETP orcas are famously boat friendly and seemingly curious about their human admirers.

The accompanying footage, captured Dec. 4 by Capt. Erica Sackrison and deckhand Jess Aubry of Gone Whale Watching San Diego, shows an orca thrilling passengers by performing a “headstand” just feet beyond the vessel’s bow.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDOP0o5JH7v/

“He’s upside down!” one passenger exclaims in the footage, moments before the mammal raises its tail section above water.

Gone Whale Watching San Diego via Instagram:

“Christmas came early for the Gone Whale Watching family yesterday when a few members of the same pod of ETP Killer Whales made yet another memorable visit to San Diego!

“The notoriously boat-friendly orcas constantly interacted with our boats, making it clear they wanted ATTENTION! Us meager whale watchers were only too willing to oblige!”

ETP killer whale sightings off Southern California are rare, but this time of year is when most sightings occur.

Gone Whale Watching San Diego has logged three sightings involving members of the same orca pod over the past three weeks, and is hopeful for more encounters:

“While it is utterly impossible to predict when we’ll see them again, a string of recent sightings can only be taken as a positive omen!”

Massive skate greets boaters in rare encounter caught on video

Footage shows the alien-like skate approaching the vessel in Deer Harbor, Wash., as if to offer a seasonal greeting.

A Washington State harbor master on Tuesday captured rare footage showing an enormous skate swimming to his boat as if to offer a seasonal greeting.

“Halloween is coming early to Deer Harbor this year!” Deer Harbor Charters announced via Instagram, in reference to the sea creature’s alien-like appearance.

“Appropriately named ‘Big Skate,’ this impressive creature is the largest in the skate (Rajidae) family. It is rare for us to have such an amazing encounter!”

(Click here if footage doesn’t appear below.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBuK4f3qACP/

The harbor master is Marc Broman, who presumably is among those chatting in the audio.

According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, big skates range from central Baja California to the Bering Sea off Alaska. (The aquarium has at least one big skate on exhibit.)

They can measure 8 feet and they prey largely on shrimp, worms, clams and small fishes.

Big skates typically hide in the sand with only their eyes visible, so Tuesday’s surface encounter was indeed extraordinary.

Big skates are sometimes caught by anglers and, according to the International Game Fish Assn., the world record stands at 91 pounds, for a skate caught off Eureka, Ca., in 1993.

Watch: Massive sea creature crashes picnic on Mexican beach

Footage shows a startled family retreating as an enormous elephant seal hauls ashore to rest in Mulege, Baja California Sur.

–FTW Outdoors periodically reposts unique or compelling video clips that we’ve featured over the years. The accompanying footage shows a massive elephant seal – they can weigh 4,500 pounds – hauling ashore in Mulege , Mexico, in July 2022, disrupting a family beach outing.

Click here to view the story or simply enjoy the video, courtesy of Noticias CD Constitucion bcs:  

https://www.facebook.com/noticiasconstitucion/videos/882243142733984

Rare orca encounter off San Diego includes ‘rainblow’ surprise

Footage shows one of the killer whales swimming to within feet of the boat and greeting passengers with a “rainblow.”

A rare orca encounter Wednesday off San Diego was made extra special when one of the mammals swam to the boat and provided an enchanting moment.

“As if seeing this beautiful animal in the wild wasn’t enough, it also gifted us with a beautiful rainbow!” Domenic Biagini, owner of Gone Whale Watching San Diego, exclaimed via Instagram.

The accompanying footage shows the orca’s close approach – and features  Biagini’s exuberant narration – and its “rainblow” greeting.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_Qd676JbeC/

Biagini and crew, acting on tips from nature and local sportfishing captains, located more than 10 Eastern Tropical Pacific killer whales, or orcas, near the U.S.-Mexico border.

ETP orcas are commonly encountered in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez but occasionally venture into U.S. waters to hunt dolphins and other marine mammals.

Biagini explained the tip he received from seabirds:

“Our initial exploration found a lot of interesting wildlife, but what stood out to us the most was the number of Black-Footed Albatross we were seeing much closer to shore than usual.

“Those Albatross are often a harbinger of larger predators being around like False Killer Whales, sharks, and especially Orcas!”

Biagini promised “more to come from this incredible day” as the ETP watch is in full swing after the encounter.

The orcas were headed south as Biagini returned to port, but that does not mean that they will not resurface off San Diego or elsewhere in Southern California in the coming days.

California photographer swims with giant, alien-like sea creature

Mark Girardeau recalls jumping in with a 400-pound Mola mola, a.k.a. ocean sunfish, during an expedition out of Newport Beach.

Mola mola sightings are special because the massive sunfish, aside from being docile giants, are so peculiar-looking.

Their bodies are flat and appear to be missing their rear ends. With huge eyes and tiny mouths, they roam the currents looking clumsy and alien-like, but strangely beautiful.

But because Mola molas inhabit pelagic waters miles from shore, the vast majority of sightings occur from boats.

On Friday, however, a Southern California photographer shared an image of him in the water alongside a Mola mola he estimated to weigh 400 pounds.

A small fry if you consider that the Mola mola, the largest bony fish in the world, can weigh up to 5,000 pounds. But still impressive, and for Mark Girardeau an encounter he’ll always treasure.

“From the surface, you mostly just see the upper fin sticking above the water but once you jump in when the water is clear, it’s just the craziest experience!” Girardeau told FTW Outdoors. “The water was still and the ocean was a deep-blue color that day so you could just swim right over to this massive fish and it was fine with it.”

Mark Girardeau swims with Mola mola, or ocean sunfish. Photos: ©Delaney Trowbridge

The encounter occurred last summer between Newport Beach and San Clemente Island, in water more than 3,000 feet deep.

Girardeau stated Friday on Instagram: “I don’t post many photos of myself so here it is the real me (on the left)! Thanks to [Delaney Trowbridge] and her underwater housing for capturing this moment in time.”

Girardeau and Trowbridge were part of a Pacific Offshore Expeditions expedition.

Trowbridge is a captain and, like Girardeau, a talented photographer. Her Facebook post on June 30 showed the same Mola mola with a pilot fish escort.

Trowbridge described the encounter as “ dream come true… coming face to face with one of the strangest fish on Earth!”

She added: “ It wasn’t difficult at all to jump into 3,000 feet of open water to swim alongside this beautiful Mola mola.

“Accompanying this gentle giant was a lone pilotfish, a very rare species for Southern California, more often encountered in tropical waters. I can’t blame the little guy for visiting us though, it sure felt like we were swimming in Hawaii!”

‘Croczilla’ surfaces in Florida, allowing for bucket-list encounter

A Florida photographer has been sharing jaw-dropping footage of a 14-foot American crocodile nicknamed “Croczilla” because of its size and menacing appearance.

A Florida photographer has been sharing jaw-dropping footage of a 14-foot American crocodile nicknamed “Croczilla” because of its size and menacing appearance.

Kymberly Clark encountered the colossal beast recently in Everglades National Park. She states via Instagram that ‘Croczilla’ is believed to be the largest American crocodile in the 1.5-million-acre park.

Crocodiles are shy and reclusive and reside mostly in brackish or saltwater ponds, creeks and mangrove swamps, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

But Clark’s posts show ‘Croczilla’ sunning on a grassy bank, opening and closing its massive jaws and revealing enormous teeth.

“Although Crocs are native to America, this estimated 14-foot+ Crocodile is about the largest Croc found in the wild,” Clark states in her initial post. “In comparison to alligators, crocodiles have a more narrow snout, are lighter in color, and both upper and lower sets of teeth can be seen.”

ALSO: Extremely rare wolverine encountered on Oregon highway

Clark adds: “Although this crocodile looks fierce, the American Crocodiles are very timid. The open mouth is not a sign of aggression but usually a way of regulating body temperature or a yawn. That being said, always keep a safe distance from crocodiles and other wildlife.”

Subsequent posts show Croczilla in various poses on the same bank. One  reveals “That ‘I survived Monday’ look!” A video post shows Clark superimposed in the footage with the description: “When I saw this guy, I am not sure who opened their mouth wider. Croczilla or me?”

Another post, put to horror music, shows Croczilla stretched in the sun, revealing its size. Yet another post shows kayakers admiring Croczilla under the description: “Only in Florida.”

According to the FWC, the American Crocodile was listed as an endangered species in 1975. Their numbers have since increased from a few hundred animals to about 2,000 individuals.

The Florida population of American crocodiles is currently listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The FWC states in a website publication: “ Due to the American crocodile’s shy and reclusive nature, conflicts between them and people are extremely rare in Florida. However, as with any predatory animal, people should use caution when near them.”

–Image courtesy of Kymberly Clark

Yellowstone guide captures intriguing moment shared by cougar, elk

A tour guide in Yellowstone National Park on Monday captured a rare scene showing a mountain lion and bull elk coexisting peacefully within a small space.

A tour guide in Yellowstone National Park on Monday captured rare footage showing a mountain lion and bull elk coexisting within a small space.

Andrea Baratte, a guide for Yellowstone Adventure Tours, stated via Instagram that he was “still speechless” after the encounter.

Baratte explained that the mountain lion, or cougar, was sleepy after feasting on a bighorn sheep carcass since at least the day before.

The guide added: “The mountain lion had a full belly and was napping as this bull elk approached. Both were aware of each other. The cat never showed any interest.”

RELATED: Yellowstone wolf flees rival pack in ‘epic’ downhill chase

Mountain lion sightings are extremely rare in Yellowstone National Park, which boasts a population of about 40 animals spread across the northern range.

According to the park, mountain lions prey largely on mule deer and elk, along with smaller mammals such as marmots. Bears and wolves, the park added, often displace mountain lions from their kills.

Lonely Yellowstone wolf cries out during rare close encounter

A Yellowstone National Park tourist enjoyed a rare encounter last week involving a lone wolf that paused on the road to howl as he drove past the animal.

A Yellowstone National Park tourist enjoyed a rare encounter last week involving a wolf that howled plaintively from the road as he drove past the iconic predator.

Justin Byerly’s footage, posted below, shows the dark-colored gray wolf trotting in the same direction on the other side of the road, and pausing to issue a skyward howl.

Byerly, of Woodlife Photography, told For The Win Outdoors that he encountered the wolf between Norris and Mammoth at about 2:30 p.m. That in itself is somewhat rare, given that wolves are most active at dawn and dusk.

Byerly did not see other wolves. “However, I believe it was calling to his other pack members to give his location,” he said.

The wolf is collared so it’s known to park biologists. Byerly believes the wolf belongs to the Wapiti Lake Pack.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Grizzly bear charges within feet of trail-cam; ‘Look at those claws!’

He said he drove past the wolf to a pullout so he could watch it catch up as he was parked (see accompanying images). Byerly then left to explore the park.

A friend later told him that the wolf stayed on the road until a caravan of about 10 vehicles followed, then it vanished into the woods.

Justin Byerly/Woodlife Photography

Yellowstone’s wolves are most commonly spotted in Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley, and sightings typically involve distant animals. Close encounters involving lone wolves crying out for company are extremely rare.

Last Christmas Day, a different photographer captured footage showing a solo wolf howling into a snowy wilderness during a dawn encounter. That wolf also was said to belong to the Wapiti Lake Pack.

In December 2021, Yellowstone estimated the number of wolves living inside the park at 95 individuals – a 23% decline from 2020. The decline was due largely to relaxed hunting regulations outside the park, primarily in Montana. (Yellowstone wolves can be legally shot by hunters if they venture beyond park boundaries.)

In February 2022, toward the end of hunting season, the park estimated the number of Yellowstone wolves to number 90 individuals.

Watch: Orcas dazzle boaters during ‘magical’ rare encounter

A whale-watching charter out of San Diego on Tuesday spent “five magical hours” with orcas that surfed, leaped, and even swam upside down within feet of passengers and crew.

A whale-watching charter out of San Diego on Tuesday spent “five magical hours” with orcas that surfed, leaped, and even swam upside down within feet of passengers and crew.

The extraordinary footage, captured by Gone Whale Watching San Diego, shows Eastern Tropical Pacific killer whales, or orcas, clearly interacting with those aboard the 27-foot Boston Whaler.

“All in all this was one of the best trips in our company’s history,” Domenic Biagini, owner of Gone Whale Watching San Diego, wrote on Facebook.

Acting on a tip from a sportfishing captain, Biagini traveled 80 miles south of San Diego, into Mexican waters, in search of the ETP killer whales.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Florida angler lands incredibly rare ‘tortilla fish’

He first located beaked whales, and footage of that rare encounter is forthcoming. Biagini and crew spotted the orcas on the way back up the coast, about 50 miles south of San Diego.

ETP orcas, which are spotted sporadically off Mexico and in the Sea of Cortez, are famously inquisitive around boats and have been known to surf in their wakes.

Biagini’s passengers were treated to this behavior but also observed the grace and beauty of the mammals as they slowly swam beneath and next to the boat, at times completely upside down.

Passengers also witnessed a predation event (the jumping portion of the video) involving a common dolphin that ultimately became an orca snack.

 

“The orcas toyed with this common dolphin for nearly 90 minutes before finally completing the kill and sharing in a meal,” Biagini explained on Facebook.  “It very well may have been a teaching moment for the youngsters in this pod. They’ll have to complete hunts themselves one day!”

The footage was captured by Biagini, Kyle Henderson, and Alyson Moors.

Biagini assured that his engines were not running during the orcas’ close approaches, and that the orcas were “play-chasing us,” and not the other way around, when the boat was in motion.