Posts Tagged ‘california’

From here to maternity

Monday, May 17th, 2004

Grunion jump at chance for procreation

By Regina Nuzzo

Monterey County Herald
May 17, 2004

MONTEREY, Calif.

It’s a Southern California tradition, but a mystery to the Central Coast.

Under the full moon, hordes of coastal residents come out of hiding, hop onto sandy beaches and engage in odd mating rituals.

No, they’re not movie stars.

Tiny fish.

Grunion, a small, silverside fish whose survival is tied to the moon’s phases, have been spotted by biologists this spring on Monterey beaches.

The scientists were taking part in an effort started by biologist Karen Martin of Pepperdine University in Malibu to count grunion spawning along the California coast.

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A run and a climb to impress the boss

Monday, April 26th, 2004

The weak link in the Big Sur Marathon relay

By Regina Nuzzo

Monterey County Herald
April 26, 2004

MONTEREY, Calif. In these desperate economic times, a job applicant will do just about anything to get hired. Say, for instance, wheezing through Hurricane Point.

I’m an unpaid intern at the Herald, and when the paper needed a fifth runner for their Big Sur International Marathon relay team, I jumped at the opportunity to show a little can-do attitude. Couldn’t hurt my chances for a full-time reporter’s job, right?

Then I learned I was slotted for the third leg: Hurricane Point. Otherwise known as “Hurri-Pain Point.” Two miles straight up — climbing more than 500 feet — to a peak famous for gale-force winds.

If I managed that, I would have two miles down, passing the Bixby Bridge pianist, then three more miles of rolling hills. All on a Sunday morning at a time most of my colleagues would still be in bed sound asleep. No problem.

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Ladybugs by thousands dotting new coastal hide-out

Thursday, January 22nd, 2004

By Regina Nuzzo

Monterey County Herald
January 18, 2004

MONTEREY, Calif. Spotting a ladybug is said to bring blue skies, abundant crops and all-around good luck. If that’s true, the Central Coast appears to have hit the jackpot.

Under the redwood trees along Soberanes Creek in Garrapata State Park, tens of thousands of ladybugs have found a new winter home. Just a few feet from the ground, they coat shrubs and tree stumps in thick red blankets, clustering together for warmth and protection. And, best of all, it’s a rare display of seasonal color in a park just a short drive down the coast.

Ladybugs, like monarch butterflies, journey to the Central California coast each autumn in droves. They enjoy the mild coastal climate, settling in nooks and crannies to escape harsher inland winters. Some spots become yearly favorites.

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