Grunion run

So who would have ever thought we would be planning on a trip to the beach late at night to see grunions!  These are little fish that come up to the sand to lay eggs.  Last month when Charlie had his school trip to the Cabrillo Aquarium, the class was able to hatch the eggs by moving the jar of sand and water for a few minutes to simulate the wave movements on the beach.  What a neat project for the kids!
We finally took Graham to the Cabrillo Aquarium recently.  He had a good time too :-)

We decided that we had to check out these grunions that come up to the beach.  It is a hit or miss tonight as it really all depends on the moon (literally!) and normally it is really REALLY late at night - midnight or so. But the suggested time a couple of Wednesdays ago was between 9:30-11:30pm.  I figured that was at least a time that Bobby and I were able to stay late up for.  Ha ha!

We are prepped with sweaters and lights.  I can't believe how some people were still in their dinky swim wear. How are they not cold!?!   Hmm... no grunion sightings...

And then, by about 10:30pm there was the commotion by the shore.  Grunions!!!  Some people were about shin deep with buckets - although supposedly you are only allowed to catch them using your hands.  And supposedly these grunions are yummy when deep fried??!

One of Charlie's friend from school has joined us tonight as well.  His mom was definitely more prepared wearing capri pants and flip-flops.  That's what we will have to do next time! She mentioned that when she was younger, she saw the entire shore/beach full of grunions.  And the fish would all be so shiny from the light of the full moon.

Not many grunions tonight but what a neat experience!!! Definitely one to remember :-)