Jared Fauston

08/17/2026

🎉🦅 Happy 9 Weeks, Sandy & Luna! 🦅🎉

Sixty-three days ago, two tiny eaglets entered the world beneath the watchful eyes of Jackie and Shadow. Today, those little fluff balls have grown into strong, confident, and breathtaking young eagles standing tall above the beautiful Big Bear landscape. ❤️🪺

Just look at them now. Side by side, proud and powerful, already carrying the presence of the magnificent bald eagles they are becoming. Every day brings something new—more wing flaps, higher jumps, stronger landings, and greater confidence as they prepare for the next exciting chapter of their journey. 🌲✨

At 9 weeks old, Sandy and Luna are entering one of the most thrilling stages of development. Branching adventures are becoming more frequent, their muscles are growing stronger, and their curiosity about the world beyond the nest seems to grow with every sunrise. Soon, those powerful wings will carry them higher into the nest tree, and before long, into the vast skies above Big Bear Lake. 🕊️💙

What makes this journey so special is watching their unique personalities shine. One moment they are playful and mischievous, the next they are calm, observant, and regal. Together they remind us of the wonder, resilience, and beauty of nature. 🖤🦅

Happy 63 Days Old, sweet Sandy and Luna! May your days be filled with adventure, your wings with strength, and your hearts with the courage that has already inspired so many people around the world. We can't wait to see what amazing surprises you have in store for us next. 🎣🎉❤️

Sending you endless beakie kisses, fish cakes, cheers, and love from eagle fans everywhere! 🐟😘🦅

Credit: FOBBV Cam / Friends of Big Bear Valley

08/17/2026

🦅🏆 AND THE WINNER IS... SHADOW! 🏆🦅

What an extraordinary season it has been for Big Bear’s beloved eagle family! As Sandy and Luna continue growing into powerful young eagles, one remarkable statistic stands above the rest — Shadow delivered an incredible 255 fish to his family this season! 🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟

Standing proudly beside him is the amazing Jackie, who brought home an impressive 76 fish deliveries of her own. Together, these devoted parents have provided not only food, but safety, guidance, and endless dedication to raising two thriving eaglets. ❤️

Looking at this beautiful photo, it perfectly captures what this season has been all about. Shadow arrives with yet another fresh fish while Jackie and the eaglets gather around. It’s a scene repeated hundreds of times throughout the nesting season — a testament to teamwork, instinct, and parental devotion.

🎣 Why is Shadow such an exceptional hunter?

Male bald eagles are naturally built for speed and precision. Their smaller, more compact size gives them greater agility and maneuverability in flight, allowing them to swoop down and sn**ch fish from the water with incredible accuracy.

🐟 Male bald eagles typically weigh about 7–10 pounds.
Their lighter bodies require less energy during flight, making them highly efficient hunters capable of chasing fast-moving prey, including fish, birds, and other small animals.

🛡️ Jackie’s role is equally important.

Female bald eagles are significantly larger, weighing approximately 10–14 pounds, making them powerful nest defenders. Their larger size allows them to protect eggs and eaglets from predators and intruders while maintaining order around the nest.

🦅 Female bald eagles are generally 25–33% larger than males.
This fascinating size difference is known as reverse sexual size dimorphism, a trait found in many birds of prey.

📏 Both male and female bald eagles stand approximately 2.5 to 3 feet tall and possess an impressive 6–8 foot wingspan, creating one of the most majestic silhouettes in North American skies.

🌊 Bald eagles are commonly found near lakes, rivers, and reservoirs because fish are their favorite food. Their sharp talons and specially adapted rough foot pads help them securely grip slippery prey, making them master fishermen.

Watching Shadow deliver fish after fish throughout this season has been nothing short of inspiring. Every delivery represented another meal for Sandy and Luna, another successful hunt, and another example of the dedication that makes bald eagle parenting so extraordinary.

Today, Sandy and Luna are growing stronger every day — branching, wing-flapping, exercising those powerful legs, and preparing for the next great milestones ahead. Their success is a direct reflection of the tireless efforts of both parents, but Shadow's astonishing 255 fish deliveries deserve special recognition. 🏅🐟

From tiny fluffy hatchlings to the magnificent young eagles we see today, this family has captured hearts around the world. Thank you, Shadow, for your countless fishing trips, and thank you, Jackie, for your unwavering protection and care. Together, you have given us one of the most unforgettable eagle seasons ever witnessed. ❤️🦅❤️

🥇 Shadow — 255 Fish Deliveries
🥈 Jackie — 76 Fish Deliveries

What a team. What a family. What a season. 🐟🦅🏔️❤️

08/17/2026

If u like this picture just say yes

08/16/2026

💔A bald eagle watched by millions has died, closing a widely followed chapter in Big Bear Lake’s wildlife story.

Jackie, the 14-year-old bald eagle known through the Big Bear Bald Eagle Nest Cam in California, died in the early morning of August 10, 2026, after more than three weeks of intensive veterinary care at the Ojai Raptor Center.

She was found grounded near Big Bear Lake in July after an encounter involving two subadult eagles and was taken for treatment. Veterinarians reported severe anemia and other serious health concerns, including inflammation affecting her kidneys. Her care included a blood transfusion, oxygen therapy, nutritional support, specialized testing and around-the-clock monitoring. Despite these efforts, specialists were not able to identify one definitive cause of her condition.

For many years, Jackie and her longtime mate Shadow gave people a rare view into the lives of bald eagles in the San Bernardino Mountains. Through the nest cam operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley, viewers followed nesting seasons, winter storms, hatching, feeding, fledging and the challenges faced by wild eagle families. Friends of Big Bear Valley says Jackie laid 25 eggs since 2018, with 10 known eaglets hatching.

Following a necropsy by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Jackie’s remains are being transferred to the National Eagle Repository. Under this federal program, bald and golden eagle remains, parts and feathers are made available to enrolled members of federally recognized Native American Tribes for religious and cultural purposes.

Jackie’s life connected a wide public audience to raptors, habitat, conservation and the continuing cultural importance of eagles to many Native communities.

What memories of Jackie, Shadow or the Big Bear nest cam stand out most to you?

08/16/2026

💔💔Jackie, the beloved 14-year-old bald eagle whose life at Big Bear Lake, California, was followed by people around the world, has died after more than three weeks of intensive veterinary care.

Jackie was found grounded near Big Bear Lake in July and was taken to the Ojai Raptor Center, where veterinarians found that she was experiencing severe anemia and other serious health concerns.

A team of wildlife and veterinary specialists provided extensive treatment, including a blood transfusion, oxygen therapy, nutritional support and specialized testing. Despite their efforts, veterinarians were unable to identify one definitive cause of her condition, and Jackie died in the early morning of August 10, 2026.

For years, Jackie and her longtime mate Shadow captured hearts through the Big Bear Bald Eagle Nest Cam. Millions followed their nesting seasons, winter storms and the raising of their young. Ojai Raptor Center says Jackie laid 25 eggs since 2018, with 10 known eaglets hatching.

Following a necropsy by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Jackie’s remains are being transferred to the National Eagle Repository. Under the federal program, bald and golden eagle remains, parts and feathers are made available to enrolled members of federally recognized Native American Tribes for religious and cultural purposes.

Jackie leaves behind a remarkable legacy of connecting millions of people with bald eagles, wildlife and conservation.

Fly high, Jackie. 🦅🤍

What are your thoughts or favorite memories of Jackie and the years she shared with people around the world?💔

08/16/2026

❤️❤️❤️

08/16/2026

💔Jackie’s final journey connects a beloved bald eagle with one of the most important cultural pathways for Native American ceremonial life.

For years, Jackie was among the most watched bald eagles in the country. She lived near Big Bear Lake in Southern California with her longtime mate, Shadow, where millions followed their nest through a livestream and watched them return season after season.

Jackie was found grounded near Big Bear Lake on July 18 after a territorial dispute with two younger eagles. She was taken to the Ojai Raptor Center in critical condition, where veterinarians treated her for more than three weeks.

Her care included fluids, oxygen therapy, nutritional support, CT scans, a bone marrow biopsy, heavy-metal testing and a blood transfusion from Spirit, an ambassador bald eagle at the CALM Zoo in Bakersfield. Despite intensive treatment, Jackie suffered from severe anemia, blood clots and organ complications. She died in the early hours of August 9.

After a necropsy by specialists at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Jackie’s remains were set to be transferred to the National Eagle Repository in Colorado, operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The repository receives eagle remains from wildlife agencies, rehabilitation centers and zoos, then distributes whole eagles, feathers and other parts to enrolled members of federally recognized Tribes for religious, cultural and ceremonial purposes.

For many Native Nations, eagle feathers carry deep spiritual significance and may be used in ceremonies, regalia, healing practices and important life events. Because bald and golden eagles are protected under federal law, the repository provides a legal process that supports both eagle conservation and Native religious traditions.

Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation also recognized Jackie’s connection to the Maara’yam, or Serrano, ancestral homelands where she lived, and honored the care many people felt for her and the Southern California landscapes she helped bring into public view.

What did Jackie’s story teach you about wildlife, conservation or Indigenous cultural traditions?

08/16/2026