Jewels of La Jolla: Meet Indicolite: A Majestic Brandt’s Cormorant of La Jolla Cove
Discover Indicolite, a majestic Brandt’s cormorant of La Jolla Cove. Spotted during a Wildlife Jewels EYES monitoring walk, he now joins the Jewels of La Jolla collection—highlighting the beauty and importance of protecting coastal birds.
Photo: A Majestic Brandt’s Cormorant of La Jolla Cove CA | November 2025). © Wildlife Jewels® / by Azi Sharif
Jewels of La Jolla: Indicolite the Brandt’s Cormorant of La Jolla Cove
A Jewels of La Jolla™ Wildlife Spotlight
La Jolla Cove is home to some of Southern California’s most extraordinary coastal birds, and among them is the stunning Brandt’s cormorant. Today, we’re shining a light on one of these magical bird jewels—Indicolite, a majestic cormorant we recently encountered during our EYES™ monitoring walk.
Meet Indicolite: A Jewel on the Nest
Simply beautiful. ✨
Indicolate was perched calmly on his nest when we spotted him—silky black feathers, vibrant throat patch, and the unmistakable presence these seabirds carry so effortlessly. Brandt’s cormorants are coastal icons of La Jolla Cove, nesting on the cliffs and gliding low over the waves as they search for fish.
We’re so lucky to have the opportunity to observe majestic Brandt’s cormorants like him—from the quiet dedication of nesting season to their graceful flights across the open water.
Spotted During an EYES™ Monitoring Walk
We first saw Indicolite during a recent EYES™ wildlife monitoring walk, where our volunteers observe and document the behavior and well-being of La Jolla’s coastal wildlife. These regular walks help us identify hazards, understand seasonal patterns, and protect sensitive species—such as Brandt’s cormorants—who rely on La Jolla’s cliffs and waters for survival.
Indicolite’s calm presence, jewel-like eyes, and turquoise throat patch made a lasting impression, and he is now part of our Jewels of La Jolla collection, celebrating the wildlife who inspire wonder, care, and conservation.
Brandt’s Cormorants: Quiet Coastal Treasures
Brandt’s cormorants are often overlooked, yet they are among the most fascinating birds along our coastline:
They build nests right on the rocky cliffs of La Jolla Cove.
During the breeding season, their throat patch turns a brilliant cobalt blue.
They are expert divers, plunging beneath the waves to catch fish with incredible precision.
They play a vital role in the coastal ecosystem and depend on healthy oceans and safe breeding grounds.
Spotting birds like Indicolite reminds us how much we can learn simply by watching, listening, and appreciating the wildlife who share our shoreline.
Help Protect La Jolla’s Coastal and Marine Wildlife
Want to help protect beautiful coastal birds like Indicolite?
Join the EYES™ La Jolla, our community science and coastal wildlife observation program. Volunteers help monitor wildlife, identify hazards, report emergencies, and promote respectful wildlife viewing at La Jolla Cove.
👉 Learn more & apply HERE.
Discover Jewels of La Jolla!
Jewels of La Jolla™ is part of Wildlife Jewels Arts & Education. We raise awareness of La Jolla’s unique wildlife—and the threats they face—share their beauty through art, and empower the local community with hands-on monitoring and rescue skills.
Jewels of La Jolla: Meet Peach Opal the Elegant Tern
Shining a light on one of La Jolla’s little treasures… the Elegant Tern. We first observed this beautiful tern during our EYES coastal monitoring in September, and she’s now part of our Jewels of La Jolla educational storytelling and art series.
Peach Opal the Elegant Tern (Point La Jolla, CA | September 2025).
© Wildlife Jewels® / by Azi Sharif
Jewels of La Jolla: Peach Opal the Elegant Tern
Shining a light on one of La Jolla’s little treasures… the Elegant Tern.
We first observed this beautiful tern during our EYES coastal monitoring in September, and she’s now part of our Jewels of La Jolla educational storytelling and art series. The Elegant Tern is also the inspiration for Wildlife Jewels®' logo, which features our painting of this majestic, Near Threatened seabird.
Stay tuned to learn more about her story and the challenges seabirds face along our coast.
Get involved: Join EYES La Jolla to help spot, document, and report coastal wildlife and hazards during your regular beach walks.
Discover Jewels of La Jolla!
Jewels of La Jolla™ is part of Wildlife Jewels Arts & Education. We raise awareness of La Jolla’s unique wildlife—and the threats they face—share their beauty through art, and empower the local community with hands-on monitoring and rescue skills.
Wildlife Jewels EYES La Jolla Wildlife Walk — Event Recap
You’re invited! 🌊🦭 Join Wildlife Jewels for an inspiring coastal stroll during King Tides Week! Explore the La Jolla coastline as we spot coastal wildlife and share real stories of unique local residents from our EYES field monitoring & rescues.
Wildlife Jewels EYES La Jolla Wildlife Walk (Nov 9)
Wildlife Jewels EYES™ La Jolla Wildlife Walk — Event Recap (Nov 9)
On Sunday, November 9, Wildlife Jewels® hosted its EYES La Jolla Wildlife Walk, part of our Jewels of La Jolla education and ocean program, dedicated to inspiring and empowering the community to protect sea life.
The day began with a magical surprise—a humpback whale gliding past the Cove, reminding everyone why these moments of connection with nature matter so deeply.
Our founder welcomed participants and shared insights from our EYES™ monitoring fieldwork at La Jolla, highlighting the extraordinary wildlife we’ve encountered, protected, and at times helped rescue—from playful sea lions to graceful pelicans, gulls, and cormorants. The group learned about the unique challenges these coastal neighbors face and the simple, powerful ways each of us can help safeguard them.
As we walked along the Cove, we observed sea lions basking on the rocks, pelicans soaring overhead, gulls and cormorants diving for fish, and a lively community of tide-zone residents thriving along the shore.
A big thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate and protect the precious wildlife inhabitants of La Jolla!
Next EYES La Jolla Wildlife Walk: Saturday, December 6 — details coming soon! Check out our Upcoming Events Page for more information!
Get involved: Join EYES La Jolla to help spot, document, and report coastal wildlife and hazards during your regular beach walks.
Join the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew. click HERE
Jewels of La Jolla™ is part of Wildlife Jewels Arts & Education. We raise awareness of La Jolla’s unique wildlife—and the threats they face—share their beauty through art, and empower the local community with hands-on monitoring and rescue skills.
Wildlife Jewels EYES La Jolla Wildlife Walk (Nov 9)
Jewels of La Jolla: EYES Wildlife Walk Brandt’s Cormorant and a Great Egret
During our recent EYES La Jolla wildlife walk, we had the joy of observing two remarkable coastal birds—our familiar resident Brandt’s Cormorant and a special, less frequent visitor, the Great Egret.
La Jolla Wildlife © Wildlife Jewels® / by Azi S.
Shining a light on two precious birds from our EYES™ La Jolla wildlife walk: A lovely Brandt’s Cormorant and a rare treat—an elegant Great Egret!
During our recent EYES La Jolla wildlife walk, we had the joy of observing two remarkable coastal birds—our familiar resident Brandt’s Cormorant and a special, less frequent visitor, the Great Egret. Brandt’s Cormorants are year-round inhabitants along the La Jolla cliffs, easily recognized by their dark plumage and striking turquoise throat patch during breeding season. These expert divers rely on the rich marine life near the kelp beds, feeding primarily on small schooling fish. In contrast, the elegant Great Egret, with its long neck and brilliant white feathers, is a rarer sight along this stretch of coast, typically preferring estuaries and wetlands. Its graceful presence reminds us of the ecological connectivity between these habitats—how the health of our ocean and wetlands supports the diversity of coastal bird life. Each observation we make through EYES contributes valuable data that helps monitor species presence, seasonal patterns, and changing environmental conditions along our shores.
Get involved: Join EYES La Jolla to help spot, document, and report coastal wildlife and hazards during your regular beach walks.
Join the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew. click HERE
Jewels of La Jolla™ is part of Wildlife Jewels Arts & Education. We raise awareness of La Jolla’s unique wildlife—and the threats they face—share their beauty through art, and empower the local community with hands-on monitoring and rescue skills.
Wildlife Jewels EYES La Jolla: King Tides Wildlife Walk
You’re invited! 🌊🦭 Join Wildlife Jewels for an inspiring coastal stroll during King Tides Week! Explore the La Jolla coastline as we spot coastal wildlife and share real stories of unique local residents from our EYES field monitoring & rescues.
La Jolla Wildlife © Wildlife Jewels® / by Azi S.
Jewels of La Jolla: Wildlife Jewels EYES La Jolla: King Tides Wildlife Walk
Explore, learn, and help protect La Jolla’s magical wildlife during King Tides Week.
When: Sun, Nov 9, 2025 • 3:00–4:30 PM
Where: Ellen Browning Scripps Park (exact meeting location shared after registration)
Cost: Free nonprofit interpretive walk • All ages welcome (under 18 with parent/guardian) Limited Space.
Host: Wildlife Jewels® EYES™ La Jolla
You’re invited! 🌊🦭 Join Wildlife Jewels for an inspiring coastal stroll during King Tides Week! Explore the La Jolla coastline as we spot coastal wildlife and share real stories of unique local residents from our EYES™ field monitoring & rescues. Discover how these extreme tides reshape the shore, why they matter for the future, and how your sightings + quick reporting can help protect our precious coastal & marine wildlife neighbors.
Get involved: Join EYES La Jolla to help spot, document, and report coastal wildlife and hazards during your regular beach walks.
Join the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew. click HERE
Jewels of La Jolla™ is part of Wildlife Jewels Arts & Education. We raise awareness of La Jolla’s unique wildlife—and the threats they face—share their beauty through art, and empower the local community with hands-on monitoring and rescue skills.
Jewels of La Jolla: Meet Blue Zircon the Cormorant
We recently had the delight of observing Blue Zircon, a precious Brandt’s Cormorant, with the Wildlife Jewels® EYES™ La Jolla team. Blue Zircon was resting low on the La Jolla Cove rocks, alert and poised.
Blue Zircon the Cormorant (CA | Oct 17, 2025).
© Wildlife Jewels® / by Azi S.
Jewels of La Jolla: Meet Blue Zircon the Cormorant
We recently had the delight of observing Blue Zircon, a precious Brandt’s Cormorant, with the Wildlife Jewels® EYES™ La Jolla team. Blue Zircon was resting low on the La Jolla Cove rocks, alert and poised.
Cormorants amaze us with their deep-diving skills, and striking details — that vivid blue throat patch during breeding season and jewel-like eyes that catch the light. They are true coastal specialists, living their lives at the edge of the Pacific.
Our team documents local wildlife to understand patterns, spot hazards (like entanglement, hooks, fishing line, and disturbance), and help protect distressed wildlife.
Get involved: Join EYES La Jolla to help spot, document, and report coastal wildlife and hazards during your regular beach walks.
Join the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew. click HERE
Jewels of La Jolla™ is part of Wildlife Jewels Arts & Education. We raise awareness of La Jolla’s unique wildlife—and the threats they face—share their beauty through art, and empower the local community with hands-on monitoring and rescue skills.
Jewels of La Jolla: Meet Ruby the California Brown Pelican
We recently had the delight of observing Ruby, a majestic California Brown Pelican, with the Wildlife Jewels EYES™ La Jolla monitoring team.
Ruby, a precious Breeding Adult California Brown Pelican (CA | Oct 17, 2025).
© Wildlife Jewels® / by Azi S.
Jewels of La Jolla: Meet Ruby the California Brown Pelican
Meet Ruby, a majestic California Brown Pelican we recently had the delight of observing during our monitoring walk. Pelicans inspire us with their magical beauty, fascinating behaviors, and mesmerizing collective flight—self-organized flocks flowing into graceful formations along the surf. Our team documents local wildlife to understand patterns, spot hazards, and help protect distressed wildlife. Stay tuned for more on Ruby the Pelican!
Get involved: Join EYES La Jolla to help spot, document, and report coastal wildlife and hazards during your regular beach walks.
Join the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew. click HERE
Jewels of La Jolla™ is part of Wildlife Jewels Arts & Education. We raise awareness of La Jolla’s unique wildlife—and the threats they face—share their beauty through art, and empower the local community with hands-on monitoring and rescue skills.