9/27/2026, Big Bear began with familiar morning chortles from Shadow and Kaydee. Hours later, the two bald eagles were flying through the valley in a dramatic aerial encounter after a subadult eagle made a run at Kaydee’s fish. And somehow, through all of it, Kaydee held onto her meal.
The morning started peacefully enough. Shadow and Kaydee woke in the Roost Tree and greeted the day with their chorus of chortles before flying to the Big Bear nest together. They spent a few minutes checking things out while ravens loudly objected to their presence nearby. Shadow eventually left for the Lookout Snag, and Kaydee remained at the nest briefly before following him.
Nothing about that quiet start hinted at the action that was coming.
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Kaydee Arrives at Twin Pines With a Big Fish
Later, Kaydee flew into the Twin Pines carrying an impressive fish, possibly a trout. She settled onto a branch and had barely begun eating when everything changed. Kaydee suddenly took off.
As the camera pulled back, the reason became clear:
A subadult bald eagle was in the area and appeared determined to get Kaydee’s fish.
Within seconds, the peaceful meal had turned into an aerial scramble. Kaydee flew with the fish still clutched in her talons as the young eagle pursued the opportunity. Shadow entered the action too, and the three eagles swept through the Big Bear sky during a fast-moving exchange of chasing, circling and maneuvering. But Kaydee never surrendered the prize.
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Shadow and Kaydee Turn the Tables on the Intruder
Kaydee eventually made it back toward the Twin Pines with her fish still firmly in her grasp. The subadult was not quite finished. The young eagle followed them back and appeared to make another attempt to approach the tree. This time, however, it was facing both Shadow and Kaydee.
The pair gave warning vocals while Shadow continued engaging the intruder, and the young eagle eventually moved away. It was an impressive sequence for both eagles.
Kaydee had protected a large meal while flying through a chaotic aerial encounter. Shadow, meanwhile, had joined the response and remained with her after the immediate threat passed. Then came one of the quietest moments of the entire sequence, and perhaps the one that said the most.
Kaydee settled back down with her fish. Shadow perched right beside her.
While Kaydee ate, Shadow stayed close and watched the surrounding area. After all the speed and commotion in the sky, the scene suddenly became remarkably calm.
Then the Ravens Came Looking for a Chance
Apparently one would-be fish thief was not enough for the morning. Not long after the subadult eagle left, two ravens arrived in the area. One landed on the Twin Pines while another made a flyby toward the tree.
Neither came away with Kaydee’s catch. The ravens eventually departed, leaving Kaydee to continue eating while Shadow remained nearby.
By then, Kaydee had successfully carried that fish through multiple flights, an encounter with another bald eagle and the attention of opportunistic ravens. That fish was clearly staying with Kaydee.
Why Would Another Bald Eagle Try to Steal Kaydee’s Fish?
What unfolded over the Twin Pines may have looked like an extraordinary battle, but trying to steal another bird’s meal is normal behavior for bald eagles. Bald eagles frequently harass other birds, including other eagles, in attempts to steal food. Fish are a major part of the bald eagle diet, but eagles are opportunistic feeders and do not always catch every meal themselves.
For a younger eagle still developing its hunting and fishing skills, another eagle flying past with a large fish can represent an opportunity worth testing.
That does not make the subadult a villain. It was another wild eagle trying to find food and survive. What made this encounter particularly interesting was how Shadow and Kaydee responded together.
A New Kind of Moment for Shadow and Kaydee
Shadow and Kaydee have already spent increasing amounts of time together around the Big Bear nest, familiar perches and roosting areas. But this was different from sitting side by side, moving sticks or exchanging morning chortles. There was something at stake.
Kaydee had food another eagle wanted, and instead of the encounter remaining between those two birds, Shadow became part of the response.
Bald eagles defend breeding territories from intruders, and established pairs regularly have to coordinate around the practical demands of life in that territory, from nest defense to raising young.
One encounter cannot tell us exactly what Shadow and Kaydee’s relationship will ultimately become. But this may have been one of the clearest examples yet of the two responding to a challenge together.
When the chase ended, Kaydee still had her fish.
Shadow was beside her.
And the intruder was gone.
Big Bear Is Watching Something New Take Shape
For everyone who followed Shadow and Jackie through so many years at Big Bear, watching these new interactions can carry more than one emotion at once. Jackie remains an irreplaceable part of the story of this nest. Kaydee does not need to take her place.
What viewers are seeing now is something different: a young female eagle repeatedly returning to Shadow’s territory, spending time beside him and gradually encountering the realities of life around Big Bear with him.
Some milestones are quiet.
A shared perch. A morning chorus. A stick moved around the nest.
This one came with a big fish, three eagles in the sky and a chase over the Twin Pines.
And when it was finally over, Shadow and Kaydee were back on the branch together.
The Friends Of Big Bear Valley make this live cam experience possible. The video was uploaded and shared by Lady Hawk on YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the subadult bald eagle try to steal Kaydee’s fish?
Bald eagles are opportunistic feeders and sometimes try to steal food from other birds rather than catch their own. Young eagles may use these opportunities while continuing to develop their own hunting and fishing skills.
Did Kaydee lose her fish during the aerial chase?
No. Despite being chased and having to fly several times, Kaydee managed to hold onto the large fish throughout the encounter. She eventually returned to the Twin Pines and continued eating.
Did Shadow help Kaydee defend her fish?
Yes. Shadow became involved as the subadult eagle pursued Kaydee and later helped confront the intruder near Twin Pines. After the young eagle left, Shadow remained close while Kaydee ate.
Does this mean Shadow and Kaydee are officially a bonded pair?
The encounter showed impressive cooperation between Shadow and Kaydee, but one event alone cannot confirm exactly where their relationship stands. Their repeated time together, shared territory use, nest visits and coordinated responses continue to give viewers new behavior to watch.
Why were ravens also interested in Kaydee’s fish?
Ravens are opportunistic feeders too. After the eagle intruder left, two ravens approached Twin Pines, apparently looking for a chance at the meal or scraps. Kaydee kept possession of the fish and continued eating.
When I first started watching the big bear nest the only big intruders were the Ravens and owls. I wonder, are some of the subadults and mature eagles Shadow and Jackie’s offspring?
Still no news about Jackie. It almost seems like people just want to forget about her. She isn’t old news. There hasn’t been true closure. She passed away over a month ago and thousands are still waiting. Last news we received was the necropsy was being performed. Has she been given to Eagle Repository already? Is the necropsy done? Thank you.
I’ve been feeling the same way. How long could this take??? It’s as if there is no accountability. Not to point fingers or blame, but it’s impossible to just forget about her loss and the results of all the different testing, labs, imaging.
What a pair!!! Always better together!!!! My heart ❤️ knows Jackie watches out for them from her special place in the heavens!!!!