Pete Thomas

Solana Beach

Journalist and Blogger at USA Today

Journalist/blogger/amateur photographer. Images are my own unless otherwise noted.

Articles

Unsuspecting paddler trailed by Hawaii’s most dangerous shark

2 days ago | ftw.usatoday.com | Pete Thomas

When recreating in the ocean off Hawaii, you might never know how close you are to a large shark. The accompanying footage, captured this week off the Kona Coast, shows a paddler being trailed by a tiger shark measuring at least 10 feet. Tiger sharks are considered the most dangerous of the 40 or so shark species found in Hawaiian waters, and they’re implicated in most attacks on humans.
Florida man jailed for spearing protected grouper

4 days ago | ftw.usatoday.com | Pete Thomas

A Florida man was jailed recently after being caught spearfishing within 100 yards of a public beach and in possession of a protected goliath grouper. But the suspect tried his best to avoid the latter and more serious offense. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) explained Monday that officers attempted to call the man ashore at Pompano Beach.
Alligator on Florida golf course takes victory lap with stolen club

5 days ago | ftw.usatoday.com | Pete Thomas

Footage has surfaced showing an alligator traversing a Florida pond while displaying a golf club like a trophy. Presumably, the golfer is OK. The footage, shared by WINK News meteorologist Matt Devitt, was captured at an Orlando golf course recently by a WINK viewer named Doug. “Only in Florida,” Devitt joked via Instagram.
As moon sets over Yellowstone, can you spot the elk on the landscape?

6 days ago | ftw.usatoday.com | Pete Thomas

In the fall of 2019, Yellowstone National Park shared a striking image showing the moon setting beyond a barren slope at sunrise, informing Facebook followers that they'd earn "bonus points" if they could spot the elk. Can you spot the elk in the accompanying image? (Answer below.)The image was captured in late October, when as many as 20,000 elk inhabit the park, before the winter migration.
Massive halibut caught in Alaska could have been a derby contender

1 week ago | ftw.usatoday.com | Pete Thomas

Fishing derbies are like the lottery in that you can’t win unless you enter. Lorna Illingworth, for example, caught a 158-pound halibut last weekend while fishing during the “Halibut Hullabaloo” out of Valdez, Alaska. The fish measured 6-plus feet and dwarfed all catches made during the June 6-15 competition, which was part of the ongoing Valdez Halibut Derby, which boasts a $10,000 top prize.
Massive halibut caught in Alaska could have been a derby contender

1 week ago | flipboard.com | Pete Thomas

Thankful for Fun with Faith, While Fishing with Family and FriendsCan Christians have fun? I know that many people who do not know God believe that Christinas are not allowed to have fun - because they have to obey …
Bald eagle with large fish crashes through living-room window

1 week ago | ftw.usatoday.com | Pete Thomas

A bald eagle has died after crashing through the window of a home in Alaska, perhaps while flying erratically to prevent another eagle from stealing its meal. Alaska Public Media reported Wednesday that the rare incident occurred June 7 in the Southeast Alaska community of Petersburg. Teri Toland was preparing breakfast in her kitchen when she heard glass shattering in the living room.
Harrowing moments as Cabo tourist on jetski is slammed by high surf

1 week ago | ftw.usatoday.com | Pete Thomas

Footage posted to a Cabo San Lucas news page this week shows a harrowing ordeal involving what appears to be a female tourist caught on a jetski in high surf generated by a storm off southern Mexico. The footage, shared on the Relevante Los Cabos Facebook page, shows the woman being swept rapidly toward the protective wall of a hotel on Medano Beach, and being violently unseated from the watercraft.
Tense moments as German Shepherd leaps from vehicle to chase wolf in Yellowstone

1 week ago | ftw.usatoday.com | Pete Thomas

A group of tourists witnessed an extraordinary scene in Yellowstone National Park on Friday as a German Shepherd leaped from the back of a vehicle to chase a young wolf on the side of a road. Dogs are allowed in the park on the condition that their owners maintain "physical control" over them at all times, and this incident underscores the reasoning for that rule.
Bull sharks attack sailfish at boat, angler says Florida has 'real problem’

1 week ago | ftw.usatoday.com | Pete Thomas

A prominent South Florida angler says the state has a "shark problem" and shared graphic footage Sunday showing bull sharks attacking a hooked sailfish to illustrate his claim. “Another sailfish lost to the sharks, Viktor Hluben of Landshark Outdoors bemoaned via Instagram. “As soon as we got the sailfish next to the boat two bull sharks mauled this fish. Open bail and the sailfish still couldn’t outrun the predators.”Opening the bail was intended to give the sailfish a chance to outrun the sharks.