On February 24, 2026, after losing two eggs in the first clutch, Jackie laid the first egg of a new clutch at the Big Bear nest. When Shadow returned and saw the new egg for the first time, his quiet pause and careful lean turned it into a pure proud-dad moment.
The question of a Big Bear eagles second clutch suddenly feels very real. With the snow finally melted from Jackie…
Jackie boldly tries to mate on the snowy Big Bear nest, leaning in with vocals and neck nibbles — but Shadow refuses. What happened seconds later could signal a major shift in the season.
On February 16, 2026, as a powerful winter storm pushed toward Big Bear and the wind began to build, Jackie made a move that instantly changed the mood in the nest. She lowered herself slowly into the bowl, pressing flat and still in a posture eagle watchers know well. Pancaking. The timing could not have felt more dramatic.
On the afternoon of February 9, 2026, high above Big Bear Lake, something shifted. There were no intruders to chase. No ravens testing the edges of the territory. Just tall pines standing guard and a familiar pair moving in sync once again. Then it happened. Jackie pancaked.