Around the Bluhmin’ Town

By

Judy Bluhm

Oh Jackie, majestic eagle, queen of Big Bear Valley, how we miss you.

There is a massive nest, in the branches of a 145 ft. high Jeffrey pine tree, overlooking Big Bear Lake at 7,000 ft elevation. A strategically placed 24/7 web camera live-streamed the extraordinary lives of two bald eagles and their eaglets for the past eight years. Jackie and her mate, Shadow, gave millions of folks around the world a window into a world that we could only imagine. Classes of school children started their day viewing the nest activities. It was thrilling and educational.

We watched the daily routines of eagles and the triumphs, tragedies, heartbreak that they endured. Jackie and Shadow attended to their nest, laid eggs, cared for their offspring and chased off predators. We felt tremendous disappointment when Jackie and Shadow laid on their clutch (eggs) for sixty-two days to no avail. Because sometimes nature stubbornly refuses to cooperate and effort is not rewarded.

 Through the years, Jackie and Shadow gave birth to ten eaglets, of which six survived. This past March a blizzard came, and we watched Jackie covering the nest with her wings trying to save her three eaglets, sinking down deep into the nest, almost completely covered by the freezing snow.  Only two eaglets lived.

And so it goes with nature.  Beautiful. Incredible. Devastating. We have plenty of “news” to fill our heads with worry.  Perhaps we watched the livestream of Jackie and Shadow because it took us on an amazing visual and emotional journey, where we could leave our troubles behind. We embraced the hope that every new clutch brought. And we also felt the pain of loss when a little creature was gone too soon.

We are familiar with the images of an eagle spreading her wings to fly high and soar into the stratosphere. But watching Jackie cover her newborn eaglets with her body during the freezing snow reminds us that wings are also for warmth and protection. Love is rooted in the shelter of being held through the storms of life.

Jackie had an altercation with two young eagles over territory. The fight left her unable to fly. She was found weak and injured on the ground and taken to the Ojai Raptor Center. It was determined that she was suffering from extreme anemia. For three weeks, every effort was made to heal her. But in the end, she could not be saved.

Jackie’s partner, Shadow, appeared to be searching and calling for her. Yet now it seems that he is forming a new bond with another female eagle called Kaydee. Because even through loss, wildlife doesn’t give up. The livestreaming of the eagles of Big Bear Valley made them the best reality stars of all time. A testament for the profound connection humans can have with nature and a catalyst for conservation efforts.

Jackie was more than a famous eagle on a webcam. She became a global ambassador for all of wildlife and a symbol of endurance and strength. She is flying free now.

Jackie left the surly bounds of Earth, on wings of gold, Into the arms of God to hold. 

Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local realtor. Contact Judy at [email protected] or visit www.aroundthebluhmintown.com.