Remarkable

Lately, we’ve been checking the Big Bear Eagle Cam, always live from somewhere out in southern California. There’s a pair of adult bald eagles—Jackie and Shadow—with three hatchlings. It’s been interesting and enlightening to tune in and see what they’re up to. Often times, there will be long stretches of stillness with one or the other adult sitting in (not really on– it’s pretty big) the nest protecting the young, occasionally and daintily feeding them, calling for the partner or maybe communicating with the young ones.

The nest looks to be placed high in a pine tree overlooking what I assume is Big Bear Lake. Weather conditions have varied. Sometimes it’s perfectly still and clear, no wind. A couple of days ago, the wind was howling and I found myself hoping the nest would hold up in the gale.

Yesterday, it was snowing, and there was little movement. Jackie was sitting on the hatchlings, covered in snow, hardly moving the whole time. I got to wondering if this was an annoyance and difficult, but then realized that, of course, she’s built for this. She and all other wild creatures don’t ever go inside where it’s warm and cozy. They’re outside their whole lives. Eagles have feathers, and powerful instincts.

Sitting in a nest, high in a tree, feeding and protecting their young in gale force winds and snowstorms and from occasional incursions from intruders—it’s all in a day’s work. They come by it naturally, and it’s somehow inspiring to watch.