TITLE: RUNNING FOR THE GRUNION

Every Spring to early Summer, a very unique and mesmerizing spectacle can be observed on some of the beaches of Southern California and Northern Mexico. It is known as the Grunion Run. During mating season, these fish congregate to thousands along some unique beaches making the coastal waters look like a gigantic Bouillabaisse.
During the height of the mating season, entire beaches are littered with tens of thousands of silvery jumping fish. The most amazing fact about this gathering is, however, that these fish get together for only 2-3 days - only on every full moon or new moon during the season! Not only that, but for only for 2-3 hours every time, typically around midnight during these days.
Only a few predators seem to know about this phenomenon – but they know it well …

Images were exposed in manual mode in order to optimize the exposure of the moon, its reflection on the ocean and the animals, in addition to the light of the flash – to ensure all objects were within the dynamic range of the camera’s sensor.

AUTHOR: Martin Sagermann (United States)