Snowy Egret Spotlight: Meet Opal, a Precious Jewel at 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
