Watching a Snowy Egret

If you just watch an animal for a minute, you can understand so much more about it. Watch this snowy egret (Egretta thula) feeding in shallow water and you will understand why it has long legs, a long beak, and yellow feet.

The snowy egret is a common bird along California waterways. It is frequently mistaken for a great egret, a larger white wading bird with a yellow beak and black feet. The snowy egret's feet are its calling card–black legs with bright yellow feet.

Watch the video and you will understand why its yellow feet are an important adaptation.

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This snowy egret was easily observed at Malibu Legacy Park. See  more about Malibu Legacy Park one of Los Angeles' Hidden Gardens.

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Visit Malibu Legacy Park - Hidden Gardens L.A. #2

Take an opportunity to visit California habitat in an easy to access native garden. The Legacy Park Wallis Annenberg Habitats (or Malibu Legacy Park) showcases six iconic California habitats: coastal praire, woodlands, coastal bluffs, riparian corridor, wet meadow and a vernal pool.

snowy egret (Egretta thula)

While the woodlands are still far from established, the other habitats have quickly grown since the park's opening in 2010 and wildlife has been quick to move in. You can almost always see egrets and herons, as well as a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds. The bridge over the Riparian Corridor offers close viewing of feeding birds if you are quiet. Watch for the snowy egret's yellow feet in the video. It uses its feet to kick up invertebrates in the water. The bright color of its feet helps the bird avoid grabbing its own toe.

If live creatures are elusive, a variety of native California animals are depicted as mosaic sculptures. You'll think better of California kingsnakes and western toads when you see them beautifully depicted in these large pieces of art.

This is a great native garden for birding and strolling. Designed to filter urban run-off water back into the environment, Legacy Park is a great example of actions benefiting people, wildlife, and the environment.

Look For:

• Mosaic sculptures of California native species & bronze sculptures of people
• Informational signage
• Native plants
• Variety of mammals and birds (Including desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) and California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi); snowy egret (Egretta thula), great egret (Ardea alba), and introduced great-tailed grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus))

Special Opportunities: Migratory birds stop here in spring and fall, including small flocks of western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta) in the coastal prairie area. Winter months can bring Wilson's snipe (Gallinago delicata) and Northern shoveler ducks (Anas clypeata).

A variety of restaurants are only a block away at the Malibu Country Mart.

The Specifics:

• Open - Daily, 8 AM to Sunset; Free to the public
• Parking - Plenty. Parking is more accessible if you approach from the north. From Pacific Coast Hwy, turn in at Webb Way and turn right (or south) on Civic Center Way. Parking will be on your right, along the park's edge
• Restrooms - No, but drinking fountains are available
• Kid Friendly - Absolutely, a wonderful place to explore
• Accessibility - All pathways are wheelchair friendly, but some are unpaved
• Dogs - Welcome on a leash, watch for coyotes and rattlesnakes
• Restrictions - Parking is more plentiful in the morning and late afternoon

For More Information: official park webpage

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Visit another Hidden Garden of L.A. - Orcutt Ranch Park