Shadow and Kaydee began the day with chortles and a familiar little routine. Hours later, a red-tailed hawk came straight at Shadow twice.
After some time out of camera view had eagle watchers worried, Kaydee returned to Big Bear and quickly found Shadow. What happened next on Lookout Snag brought some much-needed smiles.
For almost a full day, Kaydee kept returning to the Big Bear cameras without Shadow. Then at 9:06 Saturday morning, one familiar white head finally appeared again.
Shadow settled into the Big Bear nest for more than an hour Tuesday evening, giving viewers a beautiful extended look at him. Then he left, and Kaydee showed up soon afterward.
After days of nest visits, close roosts, preening and morning duets, Shadow and Kaydee have reached a new point. A raptor biologist who helped band Kaydee now says the Big Bear eagles appear to be forming a pair bond.