I am no longer a grunion virgin. Having spent most of my life living along the California
coast it is hard to imagine I have never witnessed this phenomenon. But now, I have. A
few weeks ago when the moon was full and the tide was exceptionally high, a group of us
gathered along Pelican Point late at night with the hopes of observing these magical fish
as they rode the waves onto the shore to lay their eggs. It truly was a marvel of nature to
see the silvery bodies of the grunion glistening in the moonlight and watching as the
females wiggled into the sand to release their eggs, followed by males wrapping their
bodies around the females to spread their milt. Within minutes (maybe as little as 30
seconds) this entire process was complete and the entire grunion gang would catch the
next wave back into the sea, never to know the fate of their thousand or more potential
offspring (who hatch about ten days later and wash out to sea.) Grunion, who are found
only along the coast of southern California and into northern Baja are justifiably famous
for this unique spawning behavior. According to Dr Karen Martin, there are other fish
that come ashore to lay their eggs, but grunion are by far the most extreme of the group.
Although we only saw dozens of grunion, I know that had it been earlier in the spawning
season we may have been treated to the spectacular sight of thousands of fish coming
ashore, a truly amazing sight for sure.
A few weeks ago, I came into work and found that Roosevelt had shed. I felt like a new
mom when I found the molt in his cage. Interestingly enough, his behavior, post-molting,
has unnerved me a bit as he has seemed a bit edgy and jumpy, and has even once bared
his teeth when I dropped a heavy folder near his cage. This personality change has made
me a bit uncomfortable especially since I frequently introduce Roosevelt to children, all
who love this normally docile snake. One friend mentioned that he could simply be hot
and bothered during the warm summer months, or that he could be hungry more often
than usual since he is more active in the warmer months. I took a step further though and
looked into snake shedding and wondered if there might be a correlation with his recent
discard and found out that the shedding process is a stressful one and often preceded by a
period of relative inactivity which lasts a few weeks. During this period, the snake's
vision is impaired, which causes them to be rather unpredictable and sometimes
aggressive. This seemed to make sense, but Roosevelt’s unusual behavior occurred after
his shedding. The last few days he has seemed to be back to his normal sweet self, so I
am hoping that whatever was bothering him has passed.
Both of my boys are Jr. Naturalists, it’s just sort of in their genes. So, I love going on walks
and testing them on plants (I know I might be paying for therapy sessions for the two of them
years from now.) Our favorite native shrub this month is Bladderpod, which is found blooming
along the coastal bluffs and in the backcountry all year long. Bladderpod has unusual
yellow flowers and big droopy seed pods that rattle (and were allegedly used as cups and
bowls by the native people.) More interesting then the plant itself, are the two species of
insects that it hosts: spittlebugs and harlequin bugs. Like other stink bugs, harlequin
bugs, which resemble multi-colored lady bugs and are active in the warmer months,
produce odors from their thoracic glands, using them as a defense against predators.
Spittlebugs earn their name from the small patches of foam or "spit" they create along the
stems of plants in late spring and early summer. It is the immature bugs, or nymphs, that
create the spittle while feeding on plant sap. The foam hides the insect from predators and
also offers protection from desiccation by providing constant, high humidity environs
insulated against temperature extremes. Adults spittlebugs are often called froghoppers,
but are rarely noticed without their unusual coating.
One of the traditional state park programs in which children often learn about fish,
snakes, and bugs is Junior Rangers. Children participate in interpretive programs and
earn badges, posters, patches, and certificates. This program is typically successful in
campgrounds (like Doheny) where a lot of children stay for a week at a time. This year
we offered three Junior Ranger programs. The first time we had two kids, the next we
had 12 kids, and on the last program there were seven children. What was most
surprising is that these kids weren’t even staying in the cottages, but had heard about this
children’s program through either our web site, word of mouth, or perhaps from Indian
Camp. For the second summer in a row, Crystal Cove State Park partnered with Jacque
Nunez, a member of the Acjachemen Nation for a weeklong camp. Jacque shared
through stories and songs how her people used the resources of the land and the sea to
make food, tools, instruments, games and clothing. Jacque engaged the children with
hands-on activities including weaving baskets, carving soapstone, making arrowheads
and yucca paint brushes and designing clapper sticks. It really was a wonderful and
inspiring week and as camper Alex Bonnin summed up for the local newspaper “It’s fun
to make all the stuff and learn the survivor skills that Jacque’s ancestors used.”
Now that summer is nearly over, it is time again for the 6th Annual Crystal Cove
Alliance Tropical Gala and Coastal Splendor Plein Air Invitational Art Show &
Sale which will take place on Saturday, September 6 in the historic district, along the
shore at Crystal Cove. The event will feature delicious island fare and signature cocktails
provided by The Beachcomber, a world-class selection of original Plein Air artwork by
select artists, live music and coastal-themed entertainment. Tickets are still available for
purchase by contacting Crystal Cove Alliance at www.crystalcovealliance.org or 949-
376-6200.
The end of summer also means California Coastal Cleanup Day which this year will be
held on Saturday, September 20 from 9-12 at both Reef Point and Pelican Point lot #4.)
We have also invited docent and Irvine Valley College geology professor, Merton Hill to
present a power point lecture on the Geology of Crystal Cove State Park on Thursday,
September 25 at 6:30 in cottage #34. Finally, I must plug the CD release party of “If I
Were a Fish.”on Sunday, September 21 from 2-6 at the Endangered Planet Gallery in
Laguna Beach. Local musician and good friend Cheryl Procaccini is an educator and
songwriter who has written a CD full of songs about some of our local wildlife. The
Tidepool Song and Adapt to the Habitat are just two of her songs that I use as teaching
tools. It will undoubtedly be a great celebration.
Writing about the grunion, spittlebugs, and snake shedding reminds me of how intrigued
I am by the natural world. As Lyndon Johnson wrote: Despite all of our wealth and
knowledge, we cannot create a redwood forest, a wild river, or a gleaming seashore.
Nor can we create the amazing array of life that supports all of these ecosystems.
Winter