9-21-2024 Fall Homecoming

Happy first day of Fall in the eagle's nest! Throughout the month of September, Jackie and Shadow have both been seen and heard often around their eagle habitat. The last stick was brought into the nest by Jackie on 8/25 and both eagles visited briefly on 8/24. They have not actually made a nest visit for 27 days so everyone was excited to see them together in the nest on Saturday afternoon!
They both looked in great form, with most of their new feathers from their annual spring/summer molt. Jackie's white head looked a bit darker than her whiter tail feathers, perhaps from some remaining ash in the air. Shadow's tail feathers (rectrices) looked a bit dirty but just fine. If it remains, this could possibly be used as a field mark to identify him easier in future visits. Jackie had a black spot on a tail feather last season which appears to have been replaced with this current molt.
Jackie arrived first on Saturday and stayed on the nest the longest, just under two hours. She spent some time preening, as well as tidying up, as she waited for Shadow to come over from the Lookout Snag tree. It's pretty well known that queen Jackie seems to be somewhat meticulous about her appearance, so she is likely to be seen preening more often than Shadow.
They vocalized back and forth to each other about something important before Shadow arrived. As soon as he flew in, he got to work helping Jackie move sticks around, but he was still in observation mode and continued to check things out around the nest tree. During his seven minutes there with Jackie, they worked together, got in a quick beaky kiss and posed for some amazing photos before flying off to the Roost Tree together for the night.
Last week, Jackie and Shadow spent some early morning time on their favorite snag trees and shared a few beaky kisses in the Lookout Snag. The bird choirs are still quite vocal in the forest and several varieties of little feathered friends have been visiting the nest daily. And of course, we've also seen Fiona, the San Bernardino flying squirrel, scurrying around in the nest at night as she digs for treats and small treasures.
Toward the end of last week, cooler weather was welcomed to the area on Friday as wind and clouds rolled in. The rain and brief graupel brought a nice refreshing to the area and hopefully also a little cleansing to the nest.
The weather is predicted to warm up a bit again next week. The Line Fire is currently 60% contained (as of 9/22). Hopefully, the winds continue to remain minimal and the Big Bear skies will remain clear. Again, we are thankful to all the dedicated firefighters who are still working tirelessly to contain this fire, as they keep everyone safe, including the local wildlife. They are all amazing heros to so many!
We are all very excited to see Jackie and Shadow start to come into the nest more in the weeks to come to begin nestorations for the upcoming nesting season As always, thank you for being here with us eagle family and we appreciate your support!
BKind22
Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) friendsofbigbe...
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[@davidvietri7248]

It's good to see America's favorite couple are back to their daily routine. The stress level has decreased for all of their fans❤

[@carolmclean812]

Do they have names? What are they?

[@SublimeEarth_369]

​@@carolmclean812Jackie & Shadow ❤

[@carolmclean812]

@@SublimeEarth_369 thank you

[@bkind2239]

​@@carolmclean812 If you click on "more..." under the title of the video here, you can read the latest story about this wonderful pair, Jackie and Shadow!

[@matthewhibbard9807]

God I love Jackie and Shadow. Let the celebrations begin! The residents of Big Bear must love to hear the beautiful calls of Jackie to Shadow.

[@navirose9133]

May it be a safe and fruitful season for them. ❤

[@SV_1904]

Jackie and Shadow will bring us all together ❤️

[@SublimeEarth_369]

Yes! ❤❤❤

[@Yanquetino]

I'm excited and touched to see another season unfold. These lovebirds have made my life joyous and wondrous.

[@lilspeth]

Amazing! They have.

[@OlSoCalGal01]

They are so beautiful. I love to watch them move and arrange their sticks and to hear their beautiful voices. Thanks so much for posting.

[@CaptClick609]

I miss seeing Jackie and Shadow thank you very much for posting can't wait for the winter

[@chicagokat8]

MY FAVORITE COUPLE EVER!!! Jackie and Shadow, I love you and all of Big Bear. Welcome home!!

[@AJSRVIM]

Beautiful sight to see. Hello you inspirational love birds you 🥰.

[@HeavenlyAngel2992]

Absolutely stunning ❤My 2 favorite lovers...I could watch them all day💜

[@susanmorris5520]

Absolutely wonderful to see our very favorite and loving Eagle couple Jackie and Shadow coming to the nest. They both sure did look so wonderful and ready to get this new season started and the nest ready too. Their feathers sure did look wonderful and the background definitely does look a lot better then it did with the smoke from the fires even though it’s not fully contained which I do pray it doesn’t get worse again.🙏🙏🤞🏼. I still pray for J&S to be safe and I know it’s hard to do but I’ve learned to trust the Eagles cause they know where to go and stay for safety when they need to. God bless you both J&S and as always, it’s so awesome to see you both agwin and thank you too FOBBV Cam for this video. Hugs and continued prayers, Sue M. Clearwater, Florida 🙏🥰🥳👏🏻👏🏻🦅🦅❤️🤞🏼❌⭕️

[@sofiahedman21]

I love hearing their beautiful voices 🩷

[@harriet5021]

What a lovely way to start the fall season!!

[@MsSherryjh]

What a beautiful shot with the sunset in the background.

[@lb1460]

It is so joyful seeing them both back.❤🦅🦅

[@ZeBeFruity]

They never give up. May we also never give up our hopes and aspirations too.

[@SublimeEarth_369]

They have taught me patience and perseverance in such a peaceful, beautiful and sometimes bittersweet way. How privileged we all really are to get this peek into their intimate lives ❤🦅🦅❤️

[@AngieLee-lu7lk]

What an awesome couple we humans should aspire to be!

[@madelinecameron3662]

Love Jackie and Shadow glad they are doing well ❤😊🦅🦅

[@ReginaPickard]

Starting my prayers early for this season! 🪺

[@JimBey1]

What a beautiful way to start the fall season! Jackie and Shadow give me such peace, helping me to put aside all the other junk that goes on out there. Thank you, God, for your beautiful creation!

[@SublimeEarth_369]

I couldn't agree more. I've learned a lot from these two ❤

[@JimBey1]

@@SublimeEarth_369 They put us to shame when it comes to unity.

[@Phgray58]

And here we go again ❤

[@lindaadelwerth8042]

They have their nest in such a Beautiful Area withan Amazing View! Happy to see the Air Clearer around There For Everyone! God Bless all Thr Firefighters and Everyone Involved

[@SusanCourtright]

We love them so much! Happy to see nest work commence!🎉

[@lauraautry6992]

Wow so happy to see them at home ❤️🦅❤️🦅

[@LisaBelson]

Welcome back to your nest sweethearts! I have a really good feeling about this upcoming season. You two stellar parents are due for an amazing season. We're all here to back you up! ❤🦅

[@classicmemoriesicecreamllc6909]

Love them ❤❤

[@lapinxston]

Glad to see both of them hope things work out this go around

[@dayzemae9015]

Get to work Shadow, those sticks are waiting for you❤

[@jeeper5264]

LOVE this!!!! Love love love this!!!. Nature is so awesome...

[@bettytignor30]

Love the renovations. Such magnificent birds. Good luck this season.

[@darkadia6520]

It's been rough for them in the past I'm hoping they have a better year this time around 🙏

[@anni1937]

Oh happy day! My heart is full❤ Praying for a happy outcome and a milder winter on the nest.🙏🏻

[@Be_Still_ps46.10]

Wow this made me and my husband smile 😃 ❤thank you

[@JoanBelo-h5y]

Jackie and Shadow...JOY ❤

[@Noneya2023]

Jackie & Shadow are so beautiful! Watching them survive the heavy snowfall last year was so hard. They were incredible in their survival instincts. Really hoping they can have a healthy batch next year! Obviously getting a start on building a better home! ❤️❤️🦅🦅

[@Sharon181818]

Welcome home guys!❤❤

[@SublimeEarth_369]

Could they be anymore gorgeous ❤

[@PaintedByAshley]

I’m so glad to see they are safe & wasn’t hurt from all the fire line fires that were happening everywhere in August here in Cali. I miss seeing them both. I wish them both lots of luck for them to hatch a egg again 🙏❤️❤️🍀

[@conniegriffin8872]

So Happy to see them back home, safe and sound.

[@kristinLB]

Praying for hatchlings this year.

[@nomado3650]

How much I love reading your updates! They’re so informative, and so much fun to learn more about our beloved eagles. It was amazing to see them together in the nest. Happy to hear you’re safe and sound all.

[@kimgould6399]

Love it...❤, a new chapter begins! 😊

[@dolliemaesone]

Oh my goodness welcome both to your nest ! What a glorious day ! ❤️🦅❤️🦅

[@KayCee_13]

Love these two! ❤🦅

[@kimingram7649]

Hello J and S. Missed you and glad y'all are back.. Thanks FOBBV! Doing some nestoration.

[@RokinRobin228]

Grateful for the peek at my 2 favorite beaks! ❤

[@NeonMoon87]

Glad to see they're still going strong

[@AngieSalinas-dy6bj]

Beautiful sight ❤️🦅🦅

[@janwallace7062]

So wonderful to see J & S back and doing some Fall nestorations 🧡🍂🦅🦅

[@sharonlake9867]

Welcome home Jackie and Shadow!

[@annduncan4081]

I was so sad for J&S last season. Lets wish, pray or even just hope for a much more success this year! ~on a side note, I REALLY wish they would add more grassy stuff to the nest. I realize that sticks are Shadow's favorite things but it would probably be a lot more cozy with a little bit of straw too...just saying.

[@tricia.n.c.]

Yay 💗 🙏🏻 I love them soooooo much 🦅 🦅 💕

[@koalasez1200]

Hello you two 🥰.

[@suellenspencer-eb2nv]

How wonderful. Thank you ❤❤❤

[@mandylongbine471]

So happy to see them.

[@BeautifulEagleStars-bi7cq]

Beautiful Fall Day Homecoming! 🌻🍁🌲 Shadows Soft Kissy to His Queen was so very Sweet!!! 😘❤️ So Happy Our Beautiful Eagle Stars are Safe & Sound and Home! 🌟🦅🦅🌟That was a very scary situation.. Thank You Firefighters Truly Our Hero’s!!! 🚒❤️

[@seraphtarot8610]

Time to get the house in order!! I love J & S ❤️

[@cookiewm]

Looks like they've got a lot of work ahead of them

[@geraldineliscano94]

I am so happy to see them back again , they made my Griving easier, I’m still going through it but we all grieve differently. I hope this season will bring them much 🍀♥️☺️😘🫠☺️✌️🦅🦅🦅

[@pumpupjam9648]

I love it when they awake pre dawn and evening vocals!

[@danestevens4858]

Aawww. So glad to see them!

[@hraven7799]

I am so thankful to see them ❤

[@asbres11]

Jackie and Shadow!! I cant wait until 2025 when they win again!!!

[@annienewman8312]

let the nest arranging battles begin

[@5695q]

Hopefully this year they will have a successful brood.

[@TomHarding-q6f]

I've been waiting and watching. Good to see them back

[@dawnmanley6406]

❤❤❤

[@stuartroffman8315]

My heart is full!

[@CarolynnJJsNana]

So happy to see them ❤️

[@Jamie_says_weirding_is_real]

❤Let's gooooooo❤

[@plateaujourneys]

Looks like they have quite a bit of housekeeping to do!

[@southernoregoncatmom6519]

Our "Eagle Friends" are back!

[@joetaylorchristmastree2866]

Nice 👍 I like your videos ❤

[@eileenone8665]

Yaaay, I'm doing the Snoopy Happy Dance!❤

[@cyclepath55555]

I'd love to see Spirit visit for a family get together....

[@Elminite1]

Yay!!

[@speppers69]

The Watch Duty app shows updated fire information 🔥 with containment, acreage, wind direction, evacuations, etc. if you want to stay updated. It's completely free. Has cameras from different directions. You can even get alerts if the nest area is in danger. Hopefully the firefighters will continue to make progress and Shadow and Jackie will be safe. 🤞🙏

[@jordanbrown7192]

Luckily, the birds are 100% on the firefighters' radar. I have a bunch of friends who have made long careers in wildland firefighting, and while homes and businesses take first priority, endangered species get as much attention as they can afford.

[@speppers69]

@jordanbrown7192 Oh yeah. My dad was a forestry firefighter and 2 other members of my family work/worked for CalFire/CDF. Grueling work. Forests were their lives.

[@Noneya2023]

Typical couple. The man starts building the nest & she nudges him outta the way to move it where she likes it 😂❤️. I love watching these two. Fingers crossed for a successful hatch in 2025! 🤞🏽

[@miaochs7716]

Visited fawn skin Serrano park. Really is magical. No eagle sitings

[@AmericanPatriot-1776]

I'm so glad that tree wasn't in an area where the arsons lit fires.

[@laurabarreda799]

❤🦅🦅❤

[@bb-fe9ur]

Hopefully they are successful this year

[@lindaadelwerth8042]

Boy They sure Have Some Chonky Sticks lol!

[@darlaschiff2680]

♥♥♥

[@TuTuFox]

YEAH‼️‼️‼️

[@Homeland.]

Wow the shadow on the first eagle looks just like a child sitting in a chair,faced down.

[@NG-iu9xn]

👀💙🦅💙🦅

[@A.Watson1980]

Yaaay ❤️🤍💙

[@bb-fe9ur]

The water level in the lake is still very high 👍👍

[@jordanbrown7192]

California's having a good water year. Lots of fish to munch on.

[@lauriehurrell-shiel200]

Hello! I'm new here how do you tell who is who?

[@AuntyBlabbyRules]

Jackie’s head is somewhat flatter on top and her tail feathers are less straight across-plus she’s a bit bigger. There are more things-•like Shadow’s cry is somewhat stuck in his throat

[@matthewhibbard9807]

They made a great video that breaks down the best ways to tell them apart. You’ll pick it up in no time. If it isn’t from FOBBV, it’ll be Cali Condor’s channel.

[@schen5425]

🦜We also refer to Shadow as the *stickman* you'll see why as time goes on. You're in for a treat!

[@juliemcbride8722]

❤

[@juliemcbride8722]

Godspeed beauties

[@sharonperry5213]

👋👋👋👋💚💚💚💚

[@lynmac7580]

How long have these two been together?

[@LisaBelson]

Jackie and Shadow have been together since the summer of 2018! ❤

[@donnapadula1658]

Do they mate for life?

[@Tj49er]

Is there a semi easy way to tell them apart?

[@PCMenten]

It was Shadow that called Jackie to the nest , right? I hope Jackie has enough boyfriends. Last year’s eggs didn’t hatch, so let’s play it safe and have a backup plan; an eggstra source of paternity. ;~}

[@jordanbrown7192]

I think so. Shadows calls are more guttaral. Jackie screams bloody murder like someone took her cookie.

[@lucasmarley3237]

👍

[@jenniferbabros1985]

❤❤❤

[@debbiemonds2513]

💜🦅🦅