Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Day 60 Update

Update June 13 - Day 71

Screenshot - FOBBV YouTube stream
June 13, 2026, Day 71 since hatch.
Sandy, Luna, & Jackie (Mom) on nest.
According to birding experts, Eaglets are
commonly capable of leaving the nest
between 10 and 14 weeks. 
Today, June 13, is WEEK 10.
Fly away ... any day! 😊

Posted on June 3 ...

Eagle Watch

Since February, I've been fascinated with the Bald Eagles raising two new eaglets in a nest near Big Bear Lake, California. The parent birds, Jackie (mom) and Shadow (dad) have been using this nest for several years. Jackie's first clutch of two eggs, in January, was unsuccessful. On February 24, she laid the first egg in her second clutch, and the second egg on February 27. The parents successfully incubated the eggs and the first hatch was on April 4th. The second hatched on April 5th. I've been watching a live streaming camera, on the nest, and counting up the days since the first egg hatched. Check out my posts in February, March, and April for earlier details of my Eagle Watch. Yesterday, June 2, 2026, was Day 60 and, as you can see in the image below, the eaglets, named Sandy and Luna, are well on their way to first flight from the nest. The average time from hatch to first flight for Bald Eagles is 90 days. I can't wait to see if first flight occurs right around July 4th ... wouldn't it be neat to see one of our National Birds take flight on our country's 250th Anniversary! However, today, June 3rd, something tells me first flight may even be before July. The eaglets are getting big and rowdy! 😊

Sandy, Luna, and mom, June 2, 2026.
Day 60 since first chick hatched in
the Big Bear Valley Eagle nest.

[Images are screenshots from FOBBV YouTube Stream]
Link to the FOBBV Eagle Cam


Close up of Sandy and Luna on May 28
Day 55

REMINDER ... Sandy and Luna with mom
on April 12 ... 
(Days 8 and 7 since hatch.)

Ship Watch

I love to watch ships coming and going here in Seattle, Washington. My view of Puget Sound allows me to see lots of marine activity. I keep the camera handy and snap photos of scenes I enjoy. Let me know if you have questions or comments about the ships below.

Cruise ship, Anthem of the Seas, 
arriving under the Full Moon ... June 2, 2026.

Carnival Cruise ship arriving June 1, 2026

Looking out over the Marina full of sailboats to a
bulk carrier vessel (red hull) and, in the distance, a container
ship departing the Port. Olympic Mountains in
the far distance.

U S Coast Guard vessel 751
arriving May 16, 2026.
Alki beach, Seattle, in background.
Info about USCGC Waesche

The LaunchPad seen at anchor in Elliott Bay
June 2nd ... story below.

The Seattle Times reported  that the 390-foot, $300M yacht "Launchpad" … widely linked to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg … arrived in Seattle’s Lake Union on May 27, 2026. On May 31 it moved close to Elliott Bay Marina and has been anchored there. As of June 2nd, Zuckerberg has not been reported to be aboard. I do not know this, but suspect Zuckerberg will be in Seattle to see the World Cup games and figured the yacht would be a convenient place to stay.   Link to more info about LaunchPad


When the LaunchPad first arrived in Seattle it docked
on Lake Union. This image is from the Seattle Times.

Rhododendron Watch

Here in the Pacific Northwest, Rhododendron plants grow really well. I snapped the image below of a rhody near my home that is one of the prettiest I've ever seen. The color was just amazing. What are your thoughts?


Stamps

Those of you who have visited before know that I've been bitten with the "stamp collecting bug." Here's my latest stamp purchase ... the USPS new 2026 Forever Sunflower Stamp. To celebrate the new stamp, USPS is offering a Sunflowers Notecard Set and I ordered one. It arrived and here is how it looks ...

USPS new Sunflowers Notecard Set
includes 8 cards, 8 envelopes, and 
8 Forever Sunflower Stamps
(4 on each side of the little square)


This image is from the USPS Stamp Store
site and the envelopes are not part of the
notecard set.

Thank you for stopping by John's Island. My plan is to publish my next post when one of the Big Bear Eagle chicks takes flight ... hopefully, in early July, if not sooner!






17 comments:

  1. I've just been checking back on your eagle posts. How exciting to watch them develop and grow and then leave the nest. I hope they hold out until the 4th July.

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  2. Sandy and Luna have grown so fast. There's been a few times I was afraid of watching as they have had a couple of challenges to deal with. They really are gorgeous. It's been marvellous watching them grow.

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  3. Hello John,
    The Eaglets do look ready to take flight. It was fun watching them grow. I love all the ship images. The sunflowers stamps are lovely.
    Take care, enjoy your day!

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  4. The eagles look very healthy, John, and I expect that they will soon take their first flight. Don’t hold your breath for a 250th birthday launch for them. As for your stamp collecting passion, what a great hobby it is. Sunflowers are a fabulous choice for a commemorative stamp - bright, cheerful and loved by everyone. Very best wishes - David

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  5. ...John, it was wonderful to see your post pop up on my readers list. I know that you are well. Cams on eagle nest have created a lot of interest these days. Each day enjoy all of the neat stuff that surrounds you and be well.

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  6. Incredible that we have little cameras to watch eagle hatchlings! 🩷

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  7. Those cruise ships get bigger and bigger.
    The eagles look like they will be flying soon!!
    I like the sunflower stamps.

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  8. John, so good to hear from you! I enjoy seeing the eaglets. I have watched different ones through the years with my students, when I was teaching. Always interesting! Thank you for linking up and I hope to hear from you again, soon.

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  9. John-How nice to see a post from you. I don't blog as much as I used to--just every Friday now. The eaglets are just amazing, aren't they? Can't wait to see them fly! We have no cruise ships here although we are considered a port off Lake Michigan. A few miles south of us there is a town that hosts a large ferry that crosses the Lake every day.

    Sounds like you are doing well. I just ran out of stamps so now am off to buy some sunflower ones. My brother was also a stamp collector. I wish I knew what happened to his collection-it has to be somewhere. Diana

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  10. Dear John , watching the eagle nesting and growing process of the chicks is so amazing and exciting 🤗
    I love birds and watching them grow is such a satisfying and spiritual experience for me 🥹 growths of nature fascinated me always and this time you’re the source we are witnessing this phenomenon 🥰 so thank you so much for sharing 🙏

    I enjoyed ship watch, cruise ships are my favourite though 🥰
    Olympic mountains are breathtaking 🥹♥️
    I loved your new stamps,they are gorgeous and utterly pretty 👌
    Sunflowers are most delightful amongst all blossoms 👍
    Sending best wishes and prayers

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  11. Hello John ... lovely to see this post from you.
    I'm no expert but I think the eagles may take flight soon.
    Some of these cruise ships are so large, but cruising seems very popular.
    Lovely to see the rhododendrons ... ours here in the UK have been flowering well.

    Wishing you a happy month of June.

    All the best Jan

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  12. Thank you John, for linking up and sharing your post. I enjoy watching the Big Bear Lake Eagle cam. You have some great shots of the Eagle and eaglets. It is fun watching eaglets growing and ready to take off. Wonderful captures of all the ships! Your rhododendrons are lovely. The Sunflower stamp is a nice addition to your collection. Take care, have a great day and a happy week ahead! PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

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  13. It's amazing that the eagles can protect their chicks for so long. I hope they fly on or about July 4 but I'll be happy regardless of the date.
    I envy your view of the sea for ship watching. I do it virtually from time to time on an ipad app. Picking out ships at random and seeing who they are, where they have been and where they are going.
    I recently ordered my first stamps from the USPS. I participate in postcrossing and send postcards overseas and trying to buy global forever stamps is kind of iffy at post offices. So I ordered my latest batch online. I'm not collecting them, I'll be using them.

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  14. I wouldn't want to travel aboard one of those cruise ships. Too many people! It's cool that you have such a great view from your home.
    I love the sunflower stamps.

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  15. Las fotos de la luna y de los pajaritos son muy bonitas. Te mando un beso.

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Day 60 Update

Update June 13 - Day 71 Sharing with Saturday's Critters 652 Screenshot - FOBBV YouTube stream June 13, 2026, Day 71 since hatch. Sandy,...