Sandy took a steep, accidental plunge from a tree branch on Sunday morning, and thousands of people watching the live camera saw it happen in real time. The Big Bear eaglet later flew away from the nest tree area, easing the fear that gripped viewers in the moment.
The fall came at 11:24 a.m., when Sandy was on the front porch branches of the large nest with Luna and lost her footing as Luna tried to jump over her and get back to the nest. Friends of Big Bear Valley said Sandy tumbled to branches below, then freed herself a few minutes later and apparently landed somewhere below the nest. Jackie arrived within minutes and landed below the nest, keeping watch as the bird recovered out of view.
The reason the clip spread so quickly is simple: more than 20,000 viewers were on the livestream Sunday morning, and the tumble looked sudden enough to rattle even experienced watchers. Lina Cabanila posted that she was on the live cam and having heart palpitations, adding that she hoped there were no injuries. Others reacted in the same instant, with some fearing the fall had done damage before the next camera update arrived.
That next update came at 11:30, when a security camera captured Sandy flying from the nest tree area to another area out of view. Friends of Big Bear Valley said Sandy looked good in the flight and was likely relaxing after the unexpected adventure. Jenny Voisard later said Sandy was fine and urged everyone to stay calm, while Jackie and Shadow were expected to follow their offspring and make sure she is fed and okay.
The close call fits the way these eaglets have been preparing to leave the nest. Sandy and her brother Luna made their debut on April 4 and April 5, and the birds had been spending time on the branches ahead of fledging, which is the point when an eagle has the feathers and wing strength needed for its first flight. Sunday’s scare looked like a serious injury in the moment, but the bird’s own flight a few minutes later answered the central question: Sandy was not grounded by the fall.
