Little Jewels with Feathers: A Great Egret Family High Above San Dieguito Lagoon
High above the San Dieguito Lagoon in Del Mar, we spotted a Great Egret perched like a guardian of the canopy—while her playful “kids” practiced tiny wing-stretches and curious peeks through the pine needles, as if they were learning how to become little clouds with feathers.
Great Egret family at San Dieguito Lagoon in Del Mar, July 5, 2025 © Wildlife Jewels/ Azi Sharif
On July 5, we were at the San Dieguito wetlands in Del Mar as part of our EYES (Engage Your Eyes for Sea Life) program, searching for injured or distressed wildlife following July 4th fireworks—a time when birds and other animals are often disoriented, separated from their families, or harmed by debris and noise.
As we quietly scanned the lagoon and surrounding habitat, watching closely for any wildlife in need, we looked up—and were met with an unexpected gift.
High above the lagoon, perched in the canopy of a tall pine, a Great Egret mom stood watch while her playful little ones practiced tiny wing-stretches and curious peeks through the needles—like little clouds with feathers learning how to fly. 🤍☁️🌲
In a place we had come prepared for emergencies, we instead witnessed something deeply hopeful:
a hidden wetland nursery, alive and thriving.
Moments like this remind us why habitat protection matters—and why healthy wetlands, safe nesting trees, and thoughtful human behavior are essential for wildlife families to survive, especially during high-impact holidays.
👉 Tap through to learn more about Snowy Egrets and our educational Egret Beach House initiative—shining a light on these beautiful birds and how we can help protect them.
📍San Dieguito Lagoon in Del Mar
📽 Wildlife Jewels® EYES™ Monitoring
Want to help observe and protect local wildlife? Join EYES and be part of our coastal monitoring and reporting network. 💙
Little Jewels with Feathers: A Great Egret Family High Above San Dieguito Lagoon. July 5, 2025 © Wildlife Jewels
Wildlife Jewels’ The Egret Beach House & King Tides Observation
Snowy Egret Spotlight: Meet Opal, a Precious Jewel at San Elijo Lagoon
Meet Opal — a precious Snowy Egret we had the delight of observing during our EYES™ monitoring at the beautiful San Elijo Lagoon.
Opal the Snowy Egret at San Elijo Lagoon, July 15, 2025 | Captured by Azi S. / © Wildlife Jewels
Meet Opal — a precious Snowy Egret we had the delight of observing during our EYES™ monitoring at the beautiful San Elijo Lagoon. 💎🪶
Opal was in very shallow water with her head low, bill at the surface, making tiny ripples. Snowy Egrets lower their bill to the water and watch intently for tiny fish and invertebrates moving in just a few inches of water, then strike in a flash. What looks like a quiet “drink” is actually skilled feeding behavior.
Why it matters:
• Behavior = data. We’re not just recording who’s there — we’re documenting how they survive.
• These shallow feeding areas are critical for coastal birds. Protect the habitat, protect the wildlife.
📍 San Elijo Lagoon
📽 Wildlife Jewels® EYES™ Monitoring
Want to help observe and protect local wildlife? Join EYES and be part of our coastal monitoring and reporting network. 💙
Meet Opal — a precious Snowy Egret we had the delight of observing during our EYES monitoring at the beautiful San Elijo Lagoon. 💎🪶
Wildlife Jewels’ The Egret Beach House & King Tides Observation
Wildlife Jewels “The Egret Beach House”
It As part of Wildlife Jewels “The Egret Beach House™” program, we have been observing and tracking the life of a congregation of Snowy Egrets in Solana Beach & San Elijo Nature Reserve raising awareness to protect the species💙💎 begins with an idea.
As part of Wildlife Jewels The Egret Beach House™ program, we have been observing and tracking the life of a congregation of Snowy Egrets in Solana Beach & San Elijo Nature Reserve raising awareness to protect the species💙💎
Here’s a sneak peek into our November King Tides observation at San Elijo Ecological Reserve! As tides rise, they force wildlife toward the edges of their habitats, shrinking their usual foraging grounds. On this day, we had the delight of seeing snowy egrets, brown pelicans, great egrets, an osprey, cormorants, ducks, coots, and a gull, all thriving in the beauty of these wetlands!
About Wildlife Jewels’ “The Egret Beach House”
Sharing the lives of a Snowy Egret congregation in Solana Beach and the San Elijo Ecological Reserve, while raising awareness for their protection through educational arts, rescue, and conservation programs!
Stay tuned to learn more about The Egret Beach House!!!
Wildlife Jewels’ The Egret Beach House & King Tides Observation