Latest news with #FOBBV
Fast Company
08-07-2025
- General
- Fast Company
What's more American than Big Bear's famous bald eagles? Maybe protecting them from fireworks
There's nothing more American than fireworks, the Fourth of July, and bald eagles. Unfortunately the combination of the first two elements is stressful for all wildlife, including the internet-famous bald eagle family of Big Bear, California: Jackie and Shadow, and their daughters, Sunny and Gizmo. Ahead of the big holiday last week, Friends of the Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), the nonprofit organization behind the live-streamed web cameras that have turned these birds into superstars, attempted to present evidence to the city about the harmful impact that fireworks have on nature. However, the fireworks display went forward nonetheless, to the dismay of many of the eagles' fans. Here's a recap and what to know about the controversy. A pre-show warning about fireworks In 2023, FOBBV created a presentation outlining the many negative impacts of fireworks ahead of a Memorial Day show. The loud noises of the nighttime spectacle cause the eagles to enter fight-or-flight mode and fly off into the night. Eagles do not have great nighttime vision and risk injury when they flee a scene in such a way. In 2019, for instance, Jackie and Shadow left their chick Simba unprotected and without food for the night because they were scared. In 2022, Jackie and Shadow left the area for 6 days. 'We have noticed that Jackie and Shadow fly off each year with the fireworks, we have them on camera,' said Sandy Steers, executive director of FOBBV, according to local station ABC7. Fast Company reached out to FOBBV for further comment. A problem for animal life more broadly Bald Eagles are not the only animals impacted by fireworks. Other local birds become disoriented and some even have heart attacks and die. Mammals have been known to run into busy roadways. Pets such as dogs and cats also suffer, often becoming lost in all the chaos. Beyond their impact on animals, fireworks pollute the environment. Toxic substances such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and strontium negatively impact air quality. Perchlorates, a chemical compound that acts as an oxidizer, are highly water soluble, which means they can contaminate lakes. The soil and plant life are also at risk from debris. For all these reasons and more, FOBBV urged the city to find a creative alternative, such as a block party, drone show, and/or light show. How did Jackie and Shadow react to the fireworks? As anticipated, Jackie and Shadow were not too happy about this year's firework display. They followed their typical nighttime routine, roosting around 8 p.m. local time. They appeared ready for sleep at around 8:30 but were rudely awoken instead around 9 by the bangs of fireworks. One eagle flew away immediately. Jackie made several vocalizations to express her displeasure and warn others about danger. Both eagles were gone by 9:18. The good news is, Jackie and Shadow were spotted on camera the next evening, safe and sound. What about Sunny and Gizmo? Jackie and Shadow's daughters are more of a mystery. They have not been seen since June 27, before the fireworks display. But this is normal behavior as the girls have been testing their limits and trying to decide where to settle down. It is quite possible they were further away from the show, but the organization still worries about the impact the fireworks had on the young birds. What have the organizers of the fireworks said about this? Visit Big Bear, a city-affiliated group that was involved in the fireworks, defended the decision to put on the display, according to the Los Angeles Times, saying it did not believe it would disrupt the eagles' habitat. Fast Company has reached out to the group for additional comment. What have fans of the eagle family said? Many are not happy. A petition calling for the cancellation of the fireworks had attracted more than 40,000 signatures over the course of several days. Even though the petition didn't stop the fireworks from happening, organizers wrote that they were happy to have spread awareness about the issue. However, amid the widespread criticism, some supporters of the eagles are also urging for calm. In a Facebook post on Thursday, FOBBV noted that some critics of the fireworks had been 'aggressive with agencies and their employees' and had taken to cyber-bullying tactics and even posted people's personal information. FOBBV said it condemn such behavior. 'It's time to be kind!' the group wrote.
Fast Company
10-06-2025
- General
- Fast Company
Bald eagle live cam update: What's next now that eaglets Sunny and Gizmo are leaving the nest?
There comes a time in every person's life when they have to say goodbye to a situation that they have outgrown. The same concept applies to eaglets who fledge or leave the nest—typically, when they reach 10 to 14 weeks of age. Millions of people have been watching this happen in real time thanks to a viral nest camera operated by the nonprofit Friends of the Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), located in California. Since the beginning of 2025, the live-stream of this family of bald eagles—headed by Jackie and Shadow— has emerged as a bonafide phenomenon of internet culture, providing an escape for Americans burned out on news and politics. Now Jackie and Shadow's offspring, Sunny and Gizmo, have officially flown away from home for the first time, meaning the end is near for their time at home. Here's what to expect next: Gender reveal (or something close) Although the only way to know definitively is through a blood test, at the end of May, FOBBV announced that it believes both Sunny and Gizmo are females. This is because of the sisters' size and vocalizations. Another indication is their love of food. Speaking of eating, the best way to tell the sisters apart is their mouths. The corner of Gizmo's is thicker and more of an orange color. Sunny's is not as curved. Timeline: When did the eaglets first leave the nest? Sunny is the oldest by four days, so it makes sense that she decided to take off first. At 90 days old, she left the nest's Y branch on Monday, June 2, at 10:46 a.m. local time. Gizmo looked on in awe as Sunny made her way to the nearby Roost Tree. Parents Jackie and Shadow spent the night with her perched below. FOBBV warned viewers that Sunny might not return to the nest right away because a flight of that height would require some major wing power. Sunny said challenge accepted and returned to check in on her sister the very next day. She continued to drop in especially during mealtimes. Gizmo's turn On Saturday, June 7, it was Gizmo's turn to fledge. Her first flight was not as graceful as her sister's. At around 8:27 a.m. local time, it almost appeared as if she fell, misstepped, and was forced into flight. Regardless of whether this was accidental or not, she made the best of it and landed on the nearby Simba Tree. This happened at the same time that Shadow was bringing breakfast to the empty nest. The caring dad found his daughter on the Simba Tree and kept an eye on her as she recovered from her big moment. What's next for the eagles? Sunny and Gizmo returned to the nest on Monday for dinner. Fans were happy for this reunion because they know these days are numbered. The eaglets will hang around the area for a couple of months, learning important survival skills—such as hunting—from their parents. After that, they may disperse and find a new territory of their own. Bald eagles can be found in most of Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. They like to live near a body of water, which acts as a food supply. Their iconic white heads will come in at 4 to 5 years of age, around the time of sexual maturity. Then the cycle will repeat itself all over again, proving that goodbyes are often just the beginning of new adventures. Be sure to watch the web camera embedded below for these last precious moments. (At last check it had more than 15,000 concurrent viewers in the early-morning hours of Tuesday.)
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Gender reveal: One of the Big Bear bald eaglets is a girl, experts say
The world has watched bald eaglets Sunny and Gizmo grow up at their nest at Big Bear Lake for the past 12 weeks, but their genders have remained a mystery, until now. It is notoriously difficult to identity the sexes of bald eaglet chicks when young, but the avian experts who operate the world-famous, 24-hour live video feed of the nest have announced they are confident that one of the chicks is female. "At this point, from the size compared to Shadow, the ankle size and general behavior, we are pretty sure that Gizmo is a girl," Friends of Big Bear Valley Executive Director Sandy Steers wrote in an update posted to social media. "Her obsession with food is also a sign," Steers added. More: Fledge watch: Big Bear bald eaglets Sunny and Gizmo prepare to take first flights Sunny's sex remains unknown for the time being. The sibling is four days older than Gizmo. "For Sunny, the jury is still out," Steers said. "With more observation and hopefully some vocalization that can be heard... we hope to be more positive about Sunny's gender in the next few days." "Fledge watch" at the Big Bear bald eagle nest is officially underway. The young apex predators have been seen exercising their wings and getting a feel for the wind in recent weeks in preparation for their first excursions out of their nest. More: When will the Big Bear bald eaglets get their iconic white heads, leave the nest? Even after they take to the sky, Sunny and Gizmo are expected to remain close to home for a month or two as they continue honing the skills they will need to survive on their own, according to experts. After that, they will head off to establish new homes of their own, potentially hundreds or even thousands of miles away. Admirers of Jackie, Shadow and the chicks are invited to join FOBBV for a "fan party" next month in Big Bear Lake. The gathering of eagle-eyed fans will take place from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at Pine Knot Road and Village Drive, organizers said. It will be part of a two-day event dubbed "Adventure Days" on June 21 and 22, which invites guests to join in a host of free outdoor activities ranging from bird watching and flower hikes to boating and Jeep tours, according to FOBBV. All planned activities are free, however, registration for them each day is required and spots may fill up, the group said in a statement. "Our aim is to promote synchronicity between our unique Big Bear Valley natural mountain forest environment and our local business community in ways that allow both to thrive," FOBBV added. More information is available on the FOBBV website at This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Gender reveal: One of the Big Bear bald eaglets is a girl, experts say
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fledge watch: Big Bear bald eaglets Sunny and Gizmo prepare to take first flights
"Fledge watch" has officially begun at the Big Bear bald eagle nest, where chicks Sunny and Gizmo have been seen regularly exercising the growing wings ahead of their first flights, which could be coming any day. Sunny hatched in the nest perched high atop a Jeffrey Pine on March 4. Gizmo emerged from the shell three days later. "Today Sunny is officially 10 weeks old, which starts Fledge Watch," said Sandy Steers, who serves as executive director at the nonprofit organization Friends of Big Bear Valley, which installed and runs a 24-hour live stream of the nest that has thrust the family of raptors into an international spotlight. "Based on their current development, it may be a bit longer before either is actually ready to fly, but each day brings new progress and curiosity," she added in a social media update to eagle-eyed fans of the webcast. The eaglets have been eagerly flapping their wings and making small hops as they get the hang of the physics of flight, showing they're "almost ready for liftoff," according to FOBBV. Sunny has been spotted hoisting himself into the air for periods of about half a second. "It takes a whole second of lift to be considered hovering, but Sunny is definitely getting close," according to Steers. Gizmo has followed suit, demonstrating the younger sibling is only slightly less advanced than Sunny, she added. The rapid progress has been bittersweet to watch for many of the countless regular viewers of the nest webcam around the globe, who expressed both joy in the chicks' development, yet also dread the day when they will leave the nest for good. "All of a sudden I don't want them to fledge/leave home! I've become so attached to the whole family," wrote one fan via Facebook. "I know…..it is exciting but sad at the same time," a commenter responded. "I'm already a little teary eyed," added another. The eaglets have grown to match, and possible even exceed, the height of their father, 11-year-old Shadow, Steers said. But they've not quite matched the size of their 13-year-old mother, Jackie. More: When will the Big Bear bald eaglets get their iconic white heads, leave the nest? Once they first take flight, the eaglets will remain near their parents for several weeks or months as they master the art of aviation and hone their hunting skills, wildlife experts said. Once ready, Sunny and Gizmo will strike out on their own to establish their own territories just about anywhere they see fit in North America. "It will be a very bittersweet time when Sunny and Gizmo fledge and embark on their grand journeys, which may take them thousands of miles away from their natal home," FOBBV representatives said. As excitement continues growing around the Big Bear bald eagle nest, FOBBV urged those to decide to pay a visit in person to do so respectfully and ethically. The nesting area lies on national forest land and is closed to the public, the organization said in a written statement. "As our main guiding principle, we always ask to steer clear of sharing locations of perching sites inside or outside of the nesting habitat to avoid attracting crowds," the statement said. "Crowding and increased human attention may result in perching site abandonment." "Our wish for the eagles is to be out there living their lives without our intrusions. Online nest cameras allow us to unobtrusively witness eagle lives up close and personal day by day. Our Nest Cam and Wide View Cam provide the best view of the nest and its surrounding habitat," the statement continued. "Ever since the first nest camera was installed in the Big Bear Valley, we have worked to ensure that Jackie and Shadow's home remains undisturbed and safe for nesting," the group added. "Animals cannot ask for personal boundaries or respect. Therefore, it is up to us to give them the space they need to live their lives, eat their dinner, meet their boyfriends and girlfriends, and make more animals. It is up to us to remain environmentally conscious and humble as we continue sharing our planet with many extraordinary creatures." Those who wish to get a gander of the birds in person are encouraged to take a slow drive, walk or boat tour around Big Bear Lake, keeping eyes fixes on the tallest trees, especially dead ones, which eagles like to perch on. Representatives also suggest watching from Dana Point Park, where the nesting tree can be safely and legally viewed with binoculars or a spotting scope. More information on Friends of Big Bear Valley is available on the organization's website at This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Big Bear bald eaglets Sunny and Gizmo prepare to take first flights
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This livestream of baby bald eagles is the only thing keeping me sane
The internet is an unpleasant place, full of grim headlines, misinformation and social media content designed to make you feel ugly and unsuccessful. But there are good bits too. Take Jackie and Shadow, a happy couple who live in a home with breathtaking views of Big Bear Lake in San Bernardino county, California. They currently have two children, Sunny and Gizmo, who are preparing to leave home and make their own way in the world. They are, in many ways, the purest embodiment of the modern American dream: reality stars, and also bald eagles. The family has been on camera since October 2015, when the environmental non-profit group Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) started a live stream of the nest. For years, fans have watched live as the eagles share meals (mostly fish), relax and tease each other. Sometimes Shadow nips at Jackie's tail or wing 'to get a response out of her', says Sandy Steers, the executive director of FOBBV. 'It's hilarious.' Related: The one change that worked: I started sketching – and stopped doomscrolling The eagle cam was Steers's idea. She started watching the nest years ago, though from the ground, back when it was still occupied by Jackie's parents, Ricky and Lucy. 'I got to watch Jackie grow up through a spotting scope, and it completely hooked me,' she says. Over the years, the feed's numbers have soared like a majestic bird of prey. The YouTube page has more than 638,000 subscribers, and as I write this, 46,000 people are watching with me. Multiple news outlets have referred to the eagles as 'celebrities'. And there's merch: FOBBV sells Shadow and Jackie plushies ($30), tote bags ($20) and sweatshirts ($45). 'I think what draws people is that nature is fascinating, and most of us haven't really had the chance to sit and study it,' Steers says. 'It connects people with themselves and their emotions.' The emotions these eagles elicit seem to be pleasant. Besides the birds, the page includes another wonder of the natural world: a wholesome comment section. 'Love you Jackie, Shadow, Sunny, and Gizmo, you're in my heart forever!' one fan writes in the live chat. I think what draws people is that nature is fascinating, and most of us haven't really had the chance to sit and study it Sandy Steers, executive director of FOBBV 'What gets me through the day is to watch this beautiful family thrive,' writes another. The eagles inspire such fervent adoration because of their personalities, says Steers. 'Jackie is serious and she's the boss, absolutely,' she explains. 'Shadow knows all of Jackie's rules, and at the same time, he's independent.' Jackie and Shadow's love is the stuff of romcoms. After Rick and Lucy left, Jackie occupied the nest with her first partner, Mr B. In 2018, they had two chicks, but only one survived. That summer another eagle appeared – a charming, impish and stubborn young man who began hanging around the nest and wouldn't leave no matter how much Mr. B snapped at him. Eventually, Mr B gave up and left. Don't bald eagles mate for life? 'For the most part, but apparently not always,' says Steers. Now, the family is mostly settled. Sunny and Gizmo are the couple's fifth and sixth offspring. The Eagle Log, which is run by FOBBV members and posts regular updates on the nest, recently confirmed Gizmo is a girl, based on her overall size, behavior and 'obsession with food'. The jury is still out on Sunny's sex, but the group hopes to have more clarity in the next couple of days. At eleven weeks old, the eaglets are almost ready to fly, and a 'fledge watch' is under way as fans eagerly wait to see them take to the skies. 'They don't look quite ready to me,' says Steers. 'But maybe that's just me hoping they stay longer.' I first heard about the eagle cam years ago from a friend, and ever since Gizmo and Sunny first hatched back in March (they're both Pisces), I've kept the live stream open in a tab on my computer. Between work tasks, I click over to see how my feathered pals are doing. It's become a happy break for me. I've watched Sunny and Gizmo grow from tiny balls of gray fuzz into big glorious raptors with razor sharp beaks and claws. I've seen Jackie feed the eaglets tiny bits of fish, and watched Gizmo hop in the air and practice flying ('We call that 'wingercising,'' says Steers). Sometimes the feed is quiet – perhaps the kids are napping and Jackie and Shadow are out hunting . I enjoy the serenity of the trees swaying in the wind and the lake's glitter too. As Steers wrote in a recent post in the Eagle Log: 'Sometimes a quiet, observant, appreciative loving day is simply essential to the joy of living for all beings.'
