Jackie & Shadow: The Big Bear Eagle Family Returns for Another Season of Hope

By Theresa Grant, Real Estate Broker | Team Owner | Theresa Grant & Associates Real Estate Partners

Jackie and Shadow, the bald eagle pair who stole the nation’s heart, are back in their Big Bear nest, settling in for another season over the lake. For those of us who live in the San Bernardino Mountain Communities, it never stops feeling magical—but it also comes with responsibility. These are wild, federally protected raptors, not a roadside attraction.

Meet Jackie & Shadow: Big Bear’s Famous Bald Eagles

 Jackie and Shadow are a bonded pair of bald eagles nesting near Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest. Their lives are streamed 24/7 by Friends of Big Bear Valley, drawing viewers from around the world,  at https://www.youtube.com/@FOBBVCAM/streams

After several heartbreaking seasons—eggs lost to ravens and clutches that never hatched—they finally welcomed two eaglets in early March 2025. Those chicks were later named Sunny and Gizmo, and both successfully fledged in June before heading off into the wider world, as young eagles do.

For mountain residents in Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, Running Springs, Blue Jay, Twin Peaks, Rimforest and nearby communities, watching their story unfold feels like living inside a nature documentary.

How to Watch Jackie & Shadow Safely

The best way to enjoy these eagles is from home:

• Use the live nest cam operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley (search “Big Bear bald eagle live cam”).

• Follow updates from the nonprofit and the U.S. Forest Service for educational posts, behavior explanations, and seasonal milestones.

This gives you a front-row seat—without the risk of stressing the birds, trampling habitat, or accidentally breaking the law.

If you’re visiting Big Bear in person, enjoy general eagle watching from publicly accessible areas around the lake, like popular viewing pullouts and causeways that local agencies highlight for winter eagle viewing, again using binoculars or a spotting scope.

Visiting the Nest Area: How Close Is Too Close?

Short answer: you should never try to get close to the nest itself.

• The area around Jackie and Shadow’s nest is seasonally closed, typically from about December through July, under U.S. Forest Service protection.

• The closure is clearly signed and physically marked—if you see tape, fencing, or closure notices, that is an absolute boundary, not a suggestion.

• Drones, loud noises, calling to the birds, or trying to “get them to do something” are all considered harassment.

Under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, disturbing or harassing eagles or their nests can lead to serious federal penalties, including fines that can reach into the thousands of dollars and potential criminal charges.

Think of the line around the nest as a “do not cross” circle that protects a family’s living room. These birds are not a zoo exhibit—they’re raising wild young who need calm, quiet, and predictability.

A Mountain Community That Protects Its Eagles

 One of the special things about owning a home in the San Bernardino Mountains is that bald eagles are part of everyday life. On crisp winter mornings, you might spot one gliding over Big Bear Lake or circling above Lake Arrowhead—but there’s an unwritten rule up here: we give them space.

Big Bear’s famous pair gets the spotlight, but there are other mated pairs and visiting eagles in the region, including near Lake Arrowhead. Locals keep those locations quiet on purpose, allowing Jackie and Shadow to soak up the fame while their cousins enjoy a more private life.

If you’re dreaming about a cabin or full-time home in Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, Running Springs, Blue Jay, Twin Peaks, Rimforest or the surrounding communities—somewhere you can sip your morning coffee while watching for eagles in the distance—I’d be happy to help you explore neighborhoods and properties that fit both your lifestyle and your love of wildlife.