Wildlife Jewels Explore Wildlife Days: A precious Black-crowned Night Heron

A gorgeous banded Black-crowned Night Heron at Crystal Cove Beach, Photographed on June 22nd by © Wildlife Jewels®

Our recent "Explore Wildlife Days" visit at Crystal Cove Beach was a true delight, as we spotted one of the most precious birds we've encountered: a majestic juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron! As we took a closer look at him, we noticed a leg band.

Today, we're thrilled to spotlight one of the most charming birds we've come across: the delightful Black-crowned Night Heron!

Black-crowned Night Herons are small herons characterized by their thick necks, large heads, heavy bills, and short legs. These birds typically forage alone in the evening and at night, exploring water, mudflats, and land for food.

You can find Black-crowned Night Herons around wetlands throughout North America, including marshes and reservoirs. However, they face significant threats, such as habitat destruction, water pollution, fishing gear, and other human-induced dangers.

Stay tuned for more updates from our exploration!

A gorgeous banded Black-crowned Night Heron at Crystal Cove Beach, Photographed on June 22nd by © Wildlife Jewels®

Wildlife Jewels’s Explore Wildlife Days: Discovering Fox Squirrels

Two precious fox squirrels relaxing, Photographed on June 23rd, 2024 by © Wildlife Jewels®, Corona del Mar

Lovely spotting two precious Fox Squirrels during our Sunday Wildlife Jewels "Explore Wildlife Days" walk at Corona del Mar!

The aim of our "Explore Wildlife Days" initiative is to connect the community with wildlife, educate about human threats to wildlife, and empower action!

The precious Fox Squirrels have an average lifespan of 6 to 7 years in the wild, and over 13 years in captivity. They face major human-induced threats from habitat loss due to logging, development, and getting hit by vehicles.

Stay tuned to learn more about the story of these two precious Fox Squirrels!

Sign-up below to learn about our Explore Wildlife Day initiative, our next hike, and ways that you can get involved in this new initiative to help us protect wildlife!

Wildlife Jewels’s Explore Wildlife Days: Discovering the Majesty of the Yellow-crowned Night Heron

A gorgeous Yellow-crowned Night Heron at San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, Photographed on May 24th © Wildlife Jewels®

Our recent Explore Wildlife Days visit at the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve was a true delight, as we encountered a variety of precious wildlife whose well-being relies on the health of our wetlands.

Today, we're excited to showcase one of the most unique and elusive birds we've encountered: The majestic Yellow-crowned Night Heron!

The Yellow-Crowned Night Heron is a stunning bird found exclusively in the Americas. This magnificent bird prefers shallow water habitats and relies on bushes or trees to build its nests. However, human activities pose significant threats to its existence. In areas where the herons coexist with humans, disturbances near their nests can lead to abandonment. Furthermore, habitat destruction continues to endanger the species.

Sadly, in regions like Louisiana and the Bahamas, the Yellow-Crowned Night Heron faces devastating threats from illegal hunting for its meat. Source: Wikipedia

Each Yellow-Crowned Night Heron is precious and must be protected. It is crucial to preserve their habitats and protect them from human-induced threats. Let's unite to ensure the survival of this magnificent bird for future generations. secure the future of these majestic birds for generations to cherish.

Stay tuned to learn more about this magnificent bird!

Wildlife Jewels Explore Wildlife Days La Jolla Cove & California Brown Pelicans

La Jolla Cove Wildlife, Photographed on March 7th © Wildlife Jewels®

Our recent Explore Wildlife Days walk at the La Jolla Cove was a true delight, as we encountered a variety of precious wildlife, including sea lions, harbor seals, cormorants, squirrels, gulls, pigeons and magnificent California Brown Pelicans!

We're excited to announce that one of these majestic birds will be showcased in our soon to be revealed Wildlife Jewels® Collections exhibition! Stay tuned for more details, stunning photos, and information on how you can contribute to the protection of these precious birds!

Wildlife Jewels Explore Wildlife Days La Jolla Cove & California Brown Pelicans

Wildlife Jewels Explore Wildlife Days San Elijo Nature Reserve White Crested Duck

Our recent visit exploring the wildlife at the San Elijo Nature Center was a true delight, as we encountered a variety of precious wildlife, including migratory birds whose well-being relies on the health of our wetlands.

Today, we're thrilled to feature one of the most beautiful birds we encountered: the White Crested Duck!

The White Crested Duck is a medium-sized waterfowl species. Both males and females share a similar appearance, although males typically have a slightly more prominent crest.

Despite their beauty, sadly Crested Ducks face challenges due to their popularity as pets and decorative birds. Also, the crest gene responsible for their unique appearance can lead to a buildup of fat within the skull, which may impede their ability to walk properly. This can result in a "tottering" walking pattern and difficulty getting back up if knocked over. Additionally, issues such as seizures, neurological problems, and premature death can arise from the fat buildup.

You can support the well-being of white crested ducks by spreading awareness among your friends and discouraging them from buying these ducks as pets. It's important to remember that ducks are social creatures and, like other wildlife, belong outdoors in their natural habitats, not as "house" pets

Stay tuned for more updates from our exploration!

Wildlife Jewels Explore Wildlife Days and King Tides at Little Corona Del Mar Beach

Exploring the Little Corona Del Mar tidepools during the King Tides was an absolute delight! We encountered stunning sea urchins, sea stars, and even spotted a beautiful Octopus Bimaculatus!

Little Corona Del Mar Beach, designated as a marine protected area, serves as a sanctuary protecting marine life diversity, habitats, and ecosystem integrity. Despite the enchanting beauty we experienced, we were disheartened to observe distressing actions – some individuals touching and playing with the octopus, others collecting marine life in buckets, and a significant stretch of the coastline marred by plastic debris near seabirds.

Year after year, hundreds of thousands of seabirds face the devastating consequence of plastic ingestion. An estimated one million birds lose their lives annually due to the escalating plastic crisis.

Let's remember to admire wildlife responsibly: no touching, feeding, or disturbing! Also, while on walks, carry a reusable bag to pick up plastic trash and keep our beaches clean to save wildlife.

Wildlife Jewels® Explore Wildlife Days and King Tides at Little Corona Del Mar Beach, 11th of November 2024 by Azi Sharif

Kicking off the Wildlife Jewels “Explore Wildlife Days” initiative at Crystal Cove with a precious California Ground Squirrel

Launching our Wildlife Jewels “Explore Wildlife Days” initiative at Crystal Cove with a precious California Ground Squirrel! At Wildlife Jewels our mission is to protect every single wildlife species from human-caused threats, including this adorable California Ground Squirrel! The aim of the Explore Wildlife Days initiative is to connect the community with wildlife, while educating about human threats to wildlife, and empowering action!

These precious squirrels have an average lifespan of up to 6 years in the wild. They are commonly seen along hiking trails, making it crucial to maintain a safe distance and avoid feeding or causing any harm to them. In areas marked with "no bike" signs, refraining from biking is essential to prevent accidentally harming these charming creatures by running over them.

Stay tuned to learn more about our Explore Wildlife Days initiative, our next hike, and ways that you can get involved in this new initiative to help us protect wildlife!

Wildlife Jewels “Explore Wildlife Day” at Crystal Cove State Park 24th of November 2023