Jackie and Shadow are two bald eagles I discovered on YouTube while convalescing from the insertion of a metal device to electrify a bovine-constructed valve. Their daily activities seen on a live nest cam high above Big Bear Lake in California became a daily routine. At the time I began watching, they were sitting on two eggs. Weather was extreme, yet the eagles remained at the nest, sometimes covered with snow. Weeks passed and Jackie realized the eggs were not going to hatch. They abandoned the eggs, which soon became food for a couple of ravens. Jackie and Shadow would occasionally bring a fish they retrieved from Big Bear Lake to the nest, but their main activity was rebuilding and expanding their nest. Sticks of various sizes with two or more branches required placing them in the proper and secure location. Watching Jackie and Shadow working alone or together nest-building and positioning sticks became most entertaining.
Viewed from Jackie and Shadow’s nest, Big Bear Lake appeared to be an interesting site to visit. With a West Coast trip already planned, we decided to visit Jackie and Shadow’s turf. Arriving at the town of Big Bear Lake and checking in at the Lagonita Lodge alongside the shore, we found a lake busy with various kinds of watercraft and people fishing. A lively town surrounded with trailways and boardwalks, Jackie and Shadow’s hometown was a fun place to visit. Vern Mesler 2023
