Grunion hunting?

Some people think a grunion run is akin to a snipe hunt; an imaginary animal created to sucker the gullible. However, these little fish actually do exist. At night on a spring tide (referring not to when it occurs, but the highest high tide of the month), these little fish will let the surf wash them ashore, burrow in the sand and lay their eggs. The eggs incubate in the warm sand for a month until the next spring tide, when the waves reach them again and they hatch.

One of the biologists went to the beach last night and collected some grunion eggs. This morning she invited office staff to come to the library and hatch some fish eggs. Each person was given a small cup with a lid (the type you put condiments in) into which she spooned sand. Add seawater, shake for a few minutes and voila! The agitation induces the tiny fish to hatch! Much oohing and aahing ensued, especially from the clerical staff, but not a few of the biologists as well (me included). After all the eggs were hatched, they were put back in the bucket of seawater to be taken back to the ocean. How often do you get to experience "the miracle of birth" on your lunch break?

More about grunion:
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/grnindx3.html

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/gruschd.htm

Grunion hunting?

Some people think a grunion run is akin to a snipe hunt; an imaginary animal created to sucker the gullible. However, these little fish actually do exist. At night on a spring tide (referring not to when it occurs, but the highest high tide of the month), these little fish will let the surf wash them ashore, burrow in the sand and lay their eggs. The eggs incubate in the warm sand for a month until the next spring tide, when the waves reach them again and they hatch.

One of the biologists went to the beach last night and collected some grunion eggs. This morning she invited office staff to come to the library and hatch some fish eggs. Each person was given a small cup with a lid (the type you put condiments in) into which she spooned sand. Add seawater, shake for a few minutes and voila! The agitation induces the tiny fish to hatch! Much oohing and aahing ensued, especially from the clerical staff, but not a few of the biologists as well (me included). After all the eggs were hatched, they were put back in the bucket of seawater to be taken back to the ocean. How often do you get to experience "the miracle of birth" on your lunch break?

More about grunion:
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/grnindx3.html

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/gruschd.htm