November 7, 2026, finally brought Shadow and Kaydee back into view at Big Bear, but their return was anything but peaceful. After nearly two weeks mostly away from the nest cameras, eagle watchers watched Shadow and Kaydee defend the nest as another adult bald eagle approached their territory. Kaydee flew into the nest shortly before dark, calling urgently as the visitor approached the branches above her.
Then Shadow came flying in.
What followed was a tense aerial encounter involving three eagles, just as the new nesting season approaches.
For everyone who had missed seeing Shadow and Kaydee, their return brought a tremendous sense of relief. But it also raised new questions about the other adult eagles visiting the territory.
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A Quiet Day at Big Bear Takes an Unexpected Turn
Earlier that morning, Cam 1 captured a couple of adult eagle flybys near the nest. Chortles echoed through the area, but the cameras couldn’t confirm which eagles were responsible.
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During the afternoon, another adult bald eagle perched on the Lookout Snag. Branches partially concealed the bird, making identification difficult. As the afternoon gave way to evening, the nest area grew more interesting.
Shortly before dusk, alert calls that sounded like Shadow and Kaydee carried through the trees. Cam 2 also captured an eagle flying overhead while the calls continued. Then, after so many days without a clear nest visit from either familiar eagle, Kaydee suddenly flew into the nest.
She was back. But she had no intention of relaxing. Kaydee stood alert, scanning her surroundings and calling repeatedly. Her vocalizations grew louder as something approached the nest tree.
Shadow and Kaydee Defend the Nest as Another Eagle Approaches
The situation quickly escalated when another adult bald eagle attempted to land in the canopy branches above Kaydee. Shadow could be heard responding to the commotion, and he came flying past the nest.
The visiting eagle initially followed his flight path but soon turned back toward the nest tree. Kaydee continued her urgent warning calls. As the unfamiliar eagle approached the branches above her, she launched from the nest.
The visitor followed. Then Shadow swept back into the action. Shadow flew between Kaydee and the visiting eagle as all three headed toward the Roost Tree area. Cam 2 captured the three eagles in flight before they disappeared from camera view.
The entire encounter unfolded quickly. Although the cameras recorded the aerial activity, they could not show everything that happened once the eagles flew beyond their view.
Still, the encounter offered a striking look at the territorial behavior of two eagles that have spent months growing increasingly familiar with one another. And Shadow wasn’t finished watching over the area.
Shadow Takes Up His Position in the Simba Tree
A few minutes after the aerial encounter, the cameras located Shadow in the Simba Tree. He stood alert, surveying the surrounding territory. Shadow also delivered loud warning calls, making his presence known as he remained on watch for several minutes.
Eventually, he flew off toward the Roost Tree area. By the following morning, November 8, Shadow was located in the Roost Tree. Kaydee apparently spent the night in the lower portion of the nest tree before flying over to join him at dawn.
The two exchanged familiar calls and eventually flew off together. After the previous evening’s excitement, hearing their voices together again was an especially welcome moment.
Did Shadow and Kaydee Really Leave Big Bear?
Although Shadow and Kaydee had spent nearly two weeks largely out of camera view around the nest, they had not disappeared from Big Bear Valley. Local observers had spotted them spending time together on the other side of Big Bear Lake.
Meanwhile, other adult bald eagles had been exploring the nest area. An unbanded adult eagle made several appearances, including visits to the nest itself. In late October, a mystery eagle spent time at Shadow’s nest, prompting questions about the unfamiliar visitor.
The absence of Shadow and Kaydee from the nest cameras naturally left some viewers wondering what might happen next. But being away from the cameras does not mean the eagles have abandoned their territory.
Shadow has a long history of returning to this nest. This encounter offered another reminder that Shadow and Kaydee will defend their territory when unfamiliar eagles come too close. Kaydee’s behavior also offered an interesting glimpse of her developing attachment to the same area.
Who Was the Eagle That Approached Kaydee?
The identity of the visiting eagle remains uncertain. Several adult bald eagles have appeared around Big Bear in recent weeks, including an unbanded visitor and a banded eagle identified as SR-1.
Observers originally banded SR-1 in California on April 29, 2020. The eagle’s sex remains unknown, and sightings have occurred in the region over the years. However, there is no confirmation that SR-1 appeared in the nest area during the November 7 encounter.
There has also been speculation that an unbanded visitor might be Spirit, one of Jackie and Shadow’s offspring. No reliable identification supports that claim. Without identifying bands or other definitive evidence, viewers cannot confidently assign a name to an unfamiliar eagle. It is important to distinguish what the cameras actually captured from theories about the birds involved. For now, the visitor’s identity remains a mystery.
A Meaningful Moment as Big Bear Nesting Season Approaches
There is something especially moving about seeing Shadow return to the nest area with Kaydee at his side. This is the same nest where Jackie and Shadow spent years building, raising eaglets and sharing countless moments that eagle watchers will never forget.
Jackie’s loss remains deeply felt. Nothing can replace her or the history she shared with Shadow. Yet watching Kaydee become increasingly involved in the territory offers a little hope for what might come next. Kaydee has already brought sticks to the nest, rearranged branches, exchanged affectionate interactions with Shadow and spent time roosting near him. Now viewers have watched Shadow and Kaydee defend the nest during a tense encounter with another adult eagle.
Territorial defense is normal bald eagle behavior, particularly as breeding season approaches. Although this encounter does not prove that Shadow and Kaydee have established a permanent pair bond, it offers another interesting sign of their continued association. Southern California’s eagle nesting season begins in late fall, and nest-building activity may soon increase. That could mean more sticks, more nest inspections and perhaps some familiar branch-moving disagreements between Shadow and Kaydee.
For now, one thing is especially encouraging: Shadow and Kaydee are still here, and both remain involved with the Big Bear nest.
After two weeks of wondering when they would appear on the nest cameras again, that was a welcome sight. And with nesting season approaching, their story is getting more interesting.
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
Did Shadow and Kaydee abandon the Big Bear nest?
No. Although they spent nearly two weeks mostly out of view around the nest cameras, observers spotted them together elsewhere in Big Bear Valley. Their November 7 activity also showed continued interest in the nest territory.
Did Shadow protect Kaydee from the visiting eagle?
Shadow flew toward the encounter and appeared to position himself between Kaydee and the unfamiliar eagle as all three flew toward the Roost Tree.
Was Kaydee injured during the encounter?
It did not look like Kaydee suffered an injury. The eagles flew beyond camera view, but Kaydee appeared again the following morning and joined Shadow.
Was the visiting eagle Spirit or SR-1?
Neither identification has been confirmed. The unbanded adult eagle cannot reliably be identified as Spirit, and there is no confirmation that SR-1 appeared at the nest during this particular encounter.
Does defending the nest mean Shadow and Kaydee are officially mates?
Not necessarily. Their coordinated territorial behavior is encouraging, but it does not establish a confirmed pair bond. Their interactions and nesting activity over the coming months will provide more information.
When will Shadow and Kaydee begin preparing the nest?
Nest maintenance and construction often increase as Southern California’s late-fall breeding season approaches. Shadow and Kaydee may begin moving more sticks and arranging nesting material soon, although there is no set schedule or guarantee of egg laying.
It doesn’t seem like it’s only been 3 months since our dearest Jackie left for eagle 🦅 heaven!!!! She is still and will always be so missed and cherished. We have grown to love ❤️ Kaydee with her antics and her love for Shadow. I see that Shadow loves her too!