By Mary O’KEEFE

A lot of us have been watching the life and times of Jackie and Shadow, two bald eagles that have captured the hearts of those who watch their trials and tribulations.

It is a wonderful way to escape the worries of our day, to honestly worry about something else – the survival of these eagles and their babies despite nature’s best efforts to knock them down. It is also a chance for us to relate to nature, to see these magnificent birds respond to the roller coaster of their lives. 

The fact that we even have this chance to watch Jackie and Shadow is thanks to the Friends of Big Bear Valley, a non-profit with a goal to “maintain the unspoiled beauty and unique environment of this very special place,” according to www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org.

According to the Friends of Big Bear Valley, bald eagles were normally in Big Bear in the winter because their homes north were frozen. Then, about 30 years ago, the U.S. Forest Service began conducting monthly bald eagle counts during December through March. This was done so there would be a record of the number of bald eagles in the valley. 

When the count began decades ago the number of bald eagles living in the area during the winter months was between 25 and 30; however, in recent years, before the counts stopped, it was averaging about six to eight. 

“Over the years, some of these eagles that returned each year had built ‘practice nests’ as part of their bonding process, but they always left in the winter to nest elsewhere. Around 2009 a tagged male juvenile from Catalina decided to spend the summer in Big Bear. We don’t know whether it was him (there was no tag on him), but a pair soon started staying year-round in Big Bear Valley and built a nest on the north side of the lake. This significantly changed Big Bear bald eagle history,” according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley website.

The first bald eagles on record to hatch in Big Bear Valley were in the fall of 2011 and summer of 2012. The parents were named Ricky and Lucy by the Forest Service. All of their activities at that time were viewed through telescopes and binoculars. It was known that a chick named Jackie had been hatched and had flown away … or so one thought. 

  Knowing they needed to keep a closer watch, the Friends of Big Bear Valley obtained the proper permits and installed the eagle nest camera in October 2015. 

Ricky and Lucy had moved again, however, which was not known by the Friends of Big Bear or the Forest Service. The couple had found a more sheltered tree, built their nest there and raised two chicks named Moonlight and Sky – away from the cameras. 

And then Ricky and Lucy were gone. It is not known where they flew off to but neither of them was tagged so anyone’s guess is as good as another. Their chicks were not tagged or banded either. 

In the fall of 2016/summer 2017 a female bald eagle was seen at the nest. No one can be certain but the eagle seemed to be the same age as Jackie. 

“Tracked chicks have usually left the area of their hatching to venture for a few years before maturing around 5 years old and selecting a territory – but Jackie has been known to break other rules that bald eagles in general seem to follow. Jackie eventually took over the old nest with the cam on it, along with a mate that the Forest Service named Mr. B. 

“We have no idea where Mr. B might have come from since he also was not tagged,” according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley website. 

The two mated but parenthood did not come easily. Jackie eventually laid two eggs but only one chick survived in the fall of 2017 and summer of 2018. And like most parents, the pair raised their child/chick to be strong enough to leave the nest, which it did. 

Then another male bald eagle showed up at the nest, named Shadow, and challenged Mr. B, who eventually gave up. This was fate for Jackie because Shadow has proven to be a devoted mate … and dad. They had a series of eggs, some that hatched and others that did not. At one point they both seemed to just give up. They left the nest a lot and their eggs – many of them not developed – were left to the ravens. 

Then Jackie had a successful hatching, followed by the loss of more eggs. Each loss visibly affected the couple. 

In February Jackie laid three eggs and our community was glued to the bald eagle camera. We watched as Jackie and Shadow supported each other. It seemed that the loss of the previous eggs made them stronger. Earlier this month, we saw the first signs of a pip through an egg shell. Soon-ish two chicks were out of their shells and with bated breath we waited for the third egg to hatch. We just wanted a happy ending. The third egg hatched and for a time all three seemed to be healthy. They certainly had healthy appetites; however, after a very intense storm it was confirmed on March 16 that one of the chicks had died. The cause was not known. The other two chicks continue to appear strong  and healthy.

And here is what most struck me: the way this couple, which had been through so much together, dealt with the loss of their little chick. Shadow gently placed the chick’s body to the side of the nest and Jackie gently flew her baby away.

I have never met anyone who has not had to deal with loss. The uplifting feeling I got from watching Jackie and Shadow was that we are all in one world – together – and are not limited to the human race. What we are witnessing is a mom and dad who would do anything to keep their babies safe, that share in the grief process, support each other and are stronger together.

We should do what we can to keep their world safe.

To watch Jackie, Shadow and their chicks go to www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org. This is a non-profit organization. There is a donate button on the website for those who wish to offer financial support. 

Today is the first day of spring and the weather is getting warmer. Today, tomorrow and Saturday will see high temperatures in the low 70s. Then on Sunday temperatures will climb to 77 with Monday and Tuesday seeing high temperatures in the low 80s. 

No significant winds are predicted for the near future along with no rain.