Meet Aquamarine: Discovering a Brandt’s Cormorant in Nesting Season
Wildlife Jewels® is hosting a special World Wildlife Day Celebration in La Jolla on Saturday, March 7—a community-focused event inspired by the incredible coastal wildlife of La Jolla, San Diego.
La Jolla Cove, CA © 2026 Wildlife Jewels
Jewels of La Jolla Spotlight ✨Meet Aquamarine the Brandt’s cormorant💎
Simply beautiful. ✨Shining a light on one of the magical bird jewels of La Jolla💜💎
Meet Aquamarine, a majestic Brandt’s cormorant resting on his nest. During nesting season, Brandt’s cormorants shift into breeding condition—those electric blue “jewel” eyes and the vivid blue-turquoise throat skin become especially striking. These seasonal colors are part of their breeding display.
Aquamarine was also posing with his head tilted up—almost sculpting a shape with his body. That classic “look-up” posture can be a breeding-season display often used to show off the bright throat patch💙
His calm presence and shimmering colors made a lasting impression, and he is now part of our Jewels of La Jolla educational arts program—celebrating the wildlife who inspire wonder, care, and conservation. 💎
Want to help us protect La Jolla’s coastal wildlife like this precious cormorant? 💜 Apply to join EYES™ La Jolla, or join Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew— learn more at the link in our bio✨✨✨
Help Protect La Jolla’s Coastal and Marine Wildlife
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.
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 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.