Bonding over birds: Jackie and Shadow voted most popular couple

Have you been hearing the names Jackie and Shadow around the dinner table recently? You may think they are your child’s new classmates or a hip new band headlining Outside Lands, but actually Jackie and Shadow are a bonded pair of Bald Eagles currently starring, along with their two new fluffy eaglets, on their own live cam feed hosted from a nest, atop a tree, in Bear Valley, CA. And let me tell you, they are trending!

At Marin Horizon, we have been on eagle watch 24/7 for the last several weeks. The monitor in the front hallway, usually displaying a slideshow of student photos, is now streaming the live nest-cam, and has become a hub and highlight of our students' day.

We have observed nest construction, anxiously anticipated the hatching of eggs, witnessed frequent feedings of freshly caught fish, worried when windy snow storms blanketed the nest, and together shared in the sorrow of losing an eaglet.

The eagle cam has something for everyone— the drama and intrigue of a telenovela, the suspense and intensity of a thriller, and even a touch of nature’s raw, untamed side. And of course, the eaglets, with their wide eyes and fluffy feathers, are simply irresistible!

Perhaps most endearing are the comments and conversations Lucy and I have overheard from students, parents, and teachers alike as they observe the eagles and reflect on their every move. Beyond the oohs and ahhs and teachable moments (we learned eagles have over 7,000 feathers) the eagles have provided an opportunity to learn and grow together. Early one morning, last week, upon witnessing Shadow return to the nest with a wildly flopping fish, a Primary student exclaimed, “Dad, look, they're eating their protein, can we have fish for dinner too?” Another dad let us know that Jackie and Shadow are a popular topic of conversation when his kids FaceTime their grandparents in New York who have also been captivated by the eagle livestream.

So whether you’re a bird lover or just a novice nature enthusiast, the Jackie and Shadow eagle cam is a fascinating and entertaining opportunity to learn together and bond. Tune in and witness the magic here!