In Southern California, a live camera capturing the nest of bald eagles Jackie and Shadow has gone viral, drawing hundreds of thousands of viewers fascinated by the hatching of eaglets. By early this morning, Chick #1 had transformed into a fluffy fuzz ball, its downy feathers drying into a soft, gray coat. This captivating scene is part of a broader narrative that began on Monday morning when eagle-eyed viewers noticed two of the three eggs starting to crack.
As viewers watched with anticipation, a second eaglet began the hatching process on Tuesday afternoon. The event marked a triumphant moment in the nest's history, as Jackie and Shadow were previously seen with three eggs in their nest three years after an earlier clutch failed to hatch. By Monday night, one eaglet successfully emerged from its egg, much to the delight of the global audience.
"Chick #2 has joined the party!"
The ongoing spectacle has captured significant attention due to its rarity and the emotional investment of viewers who have closely followed Jackie and Shadow's journey. The nest is situated in the Big Bear Valley, where the Friends of Big Bear Valley have been providing updates and insights into the hatching process.
"the final stage of hatching, as the little one pokes its egg tooth against the shell and uses its feet to spin it around and break a nearly straight line around the shell to crack it fully open." – Friends of Big Bear Valley
The focus now shifts to the third egg, as hatch watch continues for Jackie and Shadow's last egg. According to Friends of Big Bear Valley, this evening marks Day 35 for egg#3, which signifies the beginning of its pip watch.
"This evening is only now Day 35 for egg#3, which is the beginning of its pip watch" – Friends of Big Bear Valley
The story of these bald eagles is particularly poignant given their history. Once listed as endangered, bald eagles have experienced a significant recovery since 2007, when they were removed from the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Jackie and Shadow's nest has become a symbol of hope and resilience, offering both education and entertainment to viewers worldwide.
