The average time from hatch to first flight for Bald Eagles is 90 days. In my last post, April 12, I gave you the details on the new Eagle chicks at the FOBBV nest near Big Bear Lake, California. The Eagle parents are known as Jackie (mom) and Shadow (dad). Friends of Big Bear Valley are streaming nest activities 24/7 on YouTube.
Jackie's first clutch of eggs, this year, was unsuccessful. The second clutch, 2 eggs, was successful, and chick 1 hatched on April 4. Chick 2 hatched on April 5. My primary use of the internet, since April 4, has been watching these little chicks grow up. It is SO MUCH more fun than watching all the dreadful political mess going on in the USA. 😊
For all of you blog friends, I've been snapping screenshots from time to time to share interesting moments and those images are below. I'm organizing them by DAYS SINCE HATCH and using the hatch date of chick 1 as DAY 1 ... SO, April 4 is DAY 1. The images below begin with the same image I posted in my last post ... if you're curious about the day-of-the-month, it's always shown in the FOBBV ID bar at the bottom of the image, as well as the exact time of the screenshot.
DAY 9
 |
| Jackie and her two chicks on April 12. Suggestion: Click on the image to get the larger view. The images are organized so that you are seeing the oldest images first. Screenshots taken today are at the bottom. |
 |
| The chicks spend most of their time under mom. Both parents are usually not on the nest at the same time, but for short periods, as seen here. [Note: Screenshots are with FOBBV permission.] |
 |
| Afternoon snack. |
 |
| Late breakfast. |
 |
| Both parents feed the chicks. Usually, fresh fish from Big Bear Lake is the entrée. |
 |
| Both parents assessing the situation. |
 |
| Another late breakfast. |
 |
| What a surprise! Snow started in the middle of the night, April 26th. |
 |
| I felt sorry for Jackie. But breakfast is on the way ... next image! |
 |
| Shadow arrives with a fresh fish. |
 |
| A cold breakfast for all. |
 |
| Excuse the camera's shadow. This is a late-afternoon feeding. |
 |
| Early morning, May 1, UV camera allows us to watch the birds at night without disturbing the birds. I'm noticing Jackie is not covering the little ones as much as she did earlier. |
 |
| Early morning breakfast, May 1, 2026. Both chicks are doing well and growing fast. FOBBV announces the names of the chicks: Sandy (chick 1) and Luna (chick 2) |
Sandy (Chick 1)
Slightly larger overall (head and neck especially)
More submissive personality
Has a slight curve to the gape (corner of the beak) —
sometimes described as a faint “smile”
Luna (Chick 2)
A bit smaller
More assertive / aggressive behavior
Straighter gape (no curve)
 |
| Early morning breakfast, May 2, Day 29 The zoomed in picture is a little fuzzy but it makes a good record of Sandy and Luna almost 1 month old. My guess is, that's Sandy on the left. |
Looking Forward
Hello John,
ReplyDeleteIt is nice your are keeping screenshot copies of the eaglets. They do grow up fast. The little ones look so adorable, then they become teenagers. I wish them both well. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
It is great to read all your updates. The bald eagle has been returning to our area in Ontario, Canada for a couple of years. Now there are many sightings of them in our area. I'm visiting from Saturday's Critters. https://craftygardener.ca/meet-jack-mrs/
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos of these famous eagle chicks! I have also been watching the cam of these two as they grow, and our local TV station was asking viewers to give the chicks names. It's so good to see eagles thriving in nature again!
ReplyDeleteLovely update John ... so enjoyable to see the photographs.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be perfect that these chicks could take flight on or around America's 250th birthday on July 4th.
All the best Jan
What a beautiful little family. They are still so fluffy, yet much bigger. It's wonderful seeing these private family moments. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt would be glorious if they took flight on our nations 250th birthday!
ReplyDeleteThis photos are so interesting and I can see why you are watching their daily growth. Isn't it wonderful that they could cuddle up under their sweet mama to stay warm on those cold snowy days and nights. Thanks for sharing this with us John . . . Have a lovely week :)
This is so fun to read 😊
ReplyDeleteI love how you’ve been following them day by day. It really feels like you’re watching their little story unfold. And honestly, I get what you mean… this is way more enjoyable than all the heavy news.
Also love how you can already see the difference between Sandy and Luna, that makes it even more fun to watch them grow. Are you starting to recognize them right away now, or is it still a bit of guessing? 😊
It’s great to see that you have developed such a tremendous interest in these birds, John. As you rightly point out it’s better than politics on TV and far more civil! Those youngsters will face hazards in life when they fledge, but it looks like they are being prepared in the best way possible. Devoted parents, human or avian, are a blessing!
ReplyDeleteIt is so joyful to have an eye on their world! Fingers crossed they take flight on July 4th!
ReplyDeleteHi John, excellent photos. We have them too in the Netherlands but I never saw one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute little family, John, so nice to follow them day by day.
ReplyDeleteMany greetings
Amazing photos!!
ReplyDeleteJohn, I appreciate you sharing these photos! How wonderful it will be to see these babies take flight around the fourth of July.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for organizing this for us. I love seeing the parents working together to take care of the chicks! So sweet!
ReplyDeleteDear John!
ReplyDeleteIt’s been few days now since I have opened your blog , read it twice but then I couldn’t write comment.
Thank goodness I remembered to revisit today
Your post is so lovely and a beautiful heartwarming reflection of love and family relationships 🥹
Nature has created role for every single creature and when everyone made for certain piece of job performs his part with devotion things go smoothly and it makes Nature happy I think 🥰
Thank you so much for sharing this story of the labour of love and devotion with us.it’s truly uplifting and inspiring 🥹♥️
The babies are growing quickly and soon they will be able to search food for themselves and fly away to build their own homes. How amazing and beautiful it sounds.all the challenges they gonna face will make them better and stronger.life is such a mystery full of thrill and adventure throughout.
Wishing you and family health and happiness 🙏♥️