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For the first time, one of two young bald eagles born in the beloved big bear nest this year was seen about to fly.
An Eglet named Sunny appeared to have hehe as he spread his wings and lifted them up temporarily, but despite his fear, it marked a special moment for tens of thousands of viewers around the world following Jackie and Shadow’s family journey via livestream.
“Sonny seemed afraid,” said Sandy Stairs alongside a friend from Big Bear Valley, a nonprofit that manages Eagle Cam. “When he returned, he brought him back to the nest by the wind and lay slowly for over two hours.”
What’s exhausting and frightening for a young Eagle is that the moment marks one of the final steps before making a full flight. According to Steers, fledgling can happen anytime.
Sunny and his brother, Gizmo, were born to Jackie and Shadow, a pair of bonded bald eagles that have attracted worldwide attention since they began rebuilding their peak nests in October.
“We bring in big sticks, we exchange them, we make sure they’re all in the right place and we’re giving them a relaxed kiss they do to bond,” recalls Stairs.
In January, Jackie lays three eggs, and her parents were seen playingfully fighting for an opportunity to keep them warm.
“It’s amazing how they want to take care of their eggs,” Stairs said.
By March all three eggs had successfully hatched, but a severe overwinter storm tested the family’s resilience. One eagle died during the storm.
“We think it’s the oldest,” Stairs said. “It’s got big enough and could have gotten wet from under Jackie during the storm.”
Despite the loss, Jackie and Shadow continued to look after the remaining two chicks, drawing praise from tens of thousands of viewers who saw the journey online.
“What were you thinking when you saw that?” Ktla’s Shelby Nelson asked Steers, looking back at Sunny’s first lift.
“I was impressed and excited at the same time,” Stairs said.
A 4-day young eagle gizmo may take a little longer before chasing the suit.
“Gizmo likes to eat and loves to be eaten by her mom and lying in bed, so I don’t know how quickly she develops,” Stairs said.
For viewers around the world, the Eagle Family was a lesson of patience, dedication and love.
“First of all, resilience,” Stairs said. “No matter what’s going on, Jackie and Shadow just come and keep bringing food…and they take care of the chicks no matter what’s going on.”
“For me, it’s like a sign of what true love is,” she added.
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