October 7, 2026, began with two familiar voices calling through the darkness at Big Bear. Shadow and Kaydee greet the morning with beautiful chortles well before sunrise, filling their roosting area with a duet that continued as the first light approached. Then they flew to the Lookout Snag, where the morning brought an especially sweet sight.
The two bald eagles settled onto the snag, sitting noticeably close to one another. And instead of ending their conversation, they continued chortling for more than a minute as daylight spread across Big Bear Valley.
No dramatic encounters. No stick disagreements. Just two eagles sharing a peaceful morning in a place that has become increasingly familiar to them both. And with another nesting season approaching, these quiet moments are giving eagle watchers something wonderful to look forward to.
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Shadow and Kaydee Greet the Morning With a Beautiful Duet
Long before sunrise, Shadow and Kaydee were already awake and vocal. Their chortles echoed through the Roost Tree as the two bald eagles began another day in Big Bear Valley. The calls continued until both eagles left their overnight perches and headed toward the Lookout Snag.
But their morning conversation was far from finished. After landing, Shadow and Kaydee continued exchanging beautiful chortles for more than a minute. Their voices carried through the cool morning air while the rising sun slowly illuminated the surrounding trees. The scene was peaceful, but one detail made it especially heartwarming.
Shadow and Kaydee were sitting with less space between them, looking increasingly comfortable sharing the same perch.
For viewers who remember their earlier encounters, when Kaydee sometimes approached and Shadow chose to move away, the difference was lovely to see. There was no sudden departure or awkward scramble for space. They simply remained on the snag, vocalizing together in the morning light. It was another small moment in a relationship that has been developing right before everyone’s eyes.
Their Time Together Is Becoming a Familiar Part of Big Bear Mornings
One of the most interesting changes at the Big Bear nest is how familiar Shadow and Kaydee’s daily routine has become. Another evening finds them roosting in the same area. Morning arrives, and their chortles begin. Before long, they head toward one of the valley’s familiar perches.
What once felt like a surprise is gradually becoming something eagle watchers look forward to each day. Since Kaydee began spending time around Shadow’s territory in August, the two have repeatedly visited the Roost Tree, Twin Pines, the Lookout Snag and the nest.
They have shared morning vocalizations, followed one another through the valley and participated in nest maintenance. Of course, none of those behaviors individually confirms a fully established pair bond. Bald eagles can interact socially without necessarily forming a breeding partnership.
But their repeated encounters provide valuable clues about how their relationship may be developing. And lately, their willingness to spend time around one another has become one of the most encouraging parts of the Big Bear story.
Nesting Season Is Approaching, and Shadow Has Plenty of Work Ahead
As October continues, attention will gradually turn toward the Big Bear nest. Nest preparation often increases during November and December, bringing more sticks, rearranging and other activity associated with the nesting season.
For Shadow, that means returning to a job he knows extremely well. Big Bear’s unofficial branch manager has spent years perfecting the art of moving sticks from one place to another, occasionally deciding that a branch looks better almost anywhere except where it currently sits.
Kaydee has already shown an interest in the work. During recent visits, she has carried nesting material into the nest, moved sticks and explored the familiar space alongside Shadow. Sometimes, she even seems to have her own renovation plans.
As nesting activity increases, eagle watchers will see more frequent visits, additional stick deliveries and plenty of those entertaining moments when two eagles have different ideas about nest arrangements.
The bigger question is how Shadow and Kaydee will interact as their attention turns increasingly toward the nest.
Will they continue working around one another? Will Kaydee bring in more nesting material? And will Shadow be willing to share his branch-management responsibilities?
The coming weeks may provide some interesting answers.
Could This Be Kaydee’s First Breeding Season?
Kaydee’s age makes the approaching season especially interesting. She is not yet five years old, placing her near the age when many bald eagles become reproductively mature.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, most bald eagles become capable of breeding around four or five years of age. However, some begin breeding later, depending on individual development and environmental conditions.
That means the upcoming season could potentially become Kaydee’s first breeding season. But reproductive maturity does not guarantee that mating or egg laying will occur. Hormonal changes, courtship behavior and the development of a suitable partnership all play roles in the breeding process.
Shadow, meanwhile, has years of experience. During previous seasons with Jackie, eagle watchers often observed mating activity in November and December as nest preparation increased. Whether Shadow and Kaydee will follow a similar timeline remains unknown.
Their relationship is still developing, and Kaydee is experiencing this stage of adulthood for the first time. There is no way to predict exactly when mating behavior might begin or whether the two will breed successfully during the coming season. For now, their continued interactions offer plenty to watch without getting ahead of the eagles themselves.
What Do Shadow and Kaydee’s Morning Chortles Tell Us?
Bald eagles use vocalizations to communicate in a variety of situations, including social encounters, territorial interactions and courtship. Their calls can help maintain contact and communicate with other eagles nearby.
Shadow and Kaydee’s repeated morning duets are especially interesting because both birds participate while spending time in the same familiar locations. However, vocalizing together does not automatically mean they have formed a breeding pair.
The broader pattern of behavior matters.
Their shared roosting areas, frequent visits to the Lookout Snag and growing involvement in nest activities provide additional context.
Rather than treating each duet as proof of a new milestone, eagle watchers can appreciate these moments as part of an ongoing relationship. And on October 7, that relationship gave viewers something particularly beautiful to see and hear.
A Beautiful Morning With So Much Still Ahead
For those who have followed Shadow through the loss of Jackie, mornings like this can carry emotions that go far beyond the behavior on camera. Jackie spent years building a life at Big Bear with Shadow. Together, they tended their nest, raised eaglets and created memories that eagle watchers around the world will always treasure.
Nothing can replace her. Kaydee is not Jackie, and she does not need to be. She is bringing her own personality into the valley, along with her curiosity, determination and growing enthusiasm for rearranging those famous Big Bear sticks. And little by little, Shadow is becoming accustomed to sharing familiar places with her.
On October 7, there was no dramatic announcement about their relationship. Just two eagles waking in the darkness, exchanging beautiful chortles and flying to the Lookout Snag together. Then came the morning light, another long duet and the lovely sight of Shadow and Kaydee sharing their perch.
Nesting season is approaching, but their story doesn’t need to hurry.
For now, hearing those two familiar voices greet another Big Bear sunrise is something special all on its own. And with November just around the corner, there may be many more moments ahead worth waking up early to see.
The Friends of Big Bear Valley make this live cam experience possible. The video was uploaded and shared by Lynn Pham on YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Shadow and Kaydee greet the morning with chortles?
On October 7, eagle watchers heard Shadow and Kaydee greet the morning with chortles before sunrise. Their vocalizations continued after they flew to Lookout Snag. Bald eagles use calls in various social and territorial situations. Although both eagles were clearly communicating, the precise meaning of their exchange cannot be confirmed from the video alone.
Are Shadow and Kaydee becoming a bonded pair?
Their repeated interactions, shared roosting locations, morning duets and nest visits suggest they are becoming increasingly familiar with one another. However, those behaviors do not yet confirm a fully established breeding pair.
When does Big Bear eagle nesting season begin?
Big Bear eagle nesting season begins with nest maintenance during the fall, particularly in November and December. Eagles will bring new sticks, rearrange nesting material and engage in courtship-related behavior as the breeding season approaches.
Is Kaydee old enough to mate with Shadow?
Kaydee is approaching the age when many bald eagles become reproductively mature. Most bald eagles can breed around four or five years old, although individual development varies. Whether Kaydee will be ready to breed this season remains uncertain.
Could Shadow and Kaydee have eggs this nesting season?
It is possible if they establish a breeding partnership and Kaydee reaches reproductive maturity. However, their current interactions do not guarantee mating, egg laying or a successful nesting season.
Jackie was such an experienced mother. Will Kaydee remain vigilant in snowstorm? Will she feed her chicks first before feeding herself? Will she reserve food during icy weather? She’s young and first time mothers sometimes don’t understand what motherhood requires! The same applies to us humans!