Eaglets in Big Bear leave the nest
BIG BEAR, Calif. (NBC, KYMA) - It's happened. The Big Bear eaglets have left the nest Monday, according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV).
Fans have been waiting since Jackie and Shadow laid their two eggs this spring.
After nearly three months, Sandy and Luna have left the nest in Big Bear, and it has both fans in town and around the world excited as they got to see it up close and personal from the eagle's nest cam.
"It was really exciting," said Kody Denalt with Copper Q.
Denalt and the rest of the Copper Q staff say they are big fans of Jackie and Shadow. They even have the nest cam on full display inside this shop in the village as both customers and staff keep up with the eaglets journey.
"It's huge for all of us since we work here we get to see the cam 24/7. Seeing the progress and how they are," said Iggy Garcia, also with Copper Q. "Sometimes I stay late to watch the eagles sleep. It's like pets to me."
But over the weekend, things got off to a bumpy start when one of the eaglets was seen falling from the nest.
"Sandy had a little more of an adventure than Luna yesterday. She was bumped accidentally by Luna when they were flopping. She went down a few limbs and was able to fly away. We saw that on our security camera flying to a tree," said Jennifer Voisard with FOBBV.
Voisard says people have been following the eagles online for years, over and over again.
"Jackie and Shadow have fledged and we'll count Simba, Spirit, Sunny and Gizmo and now, we have Sandy and Luna joining them," Voisard shared. "Before Jackie was with another mate - Mr B and they fledged a chick named Stormy
The big moment finally happened when Luna leapt off the nest and took flight days before the Fourth of July holiday, a big concern for many as they fear the loud noise would scare the animals away from the nest.
"I'll be making my drinks and I look up and it's the shot of the eagles. It's my favorite part of the day," Garcia expressed.
The next step is for the eaglets to learn to hunt.
Experts say both parents should be teaching them the skill as they continue to become fully independent.
