I was so saddened to hear about Jackie. I’ve been watching her and Shadow for several years and was enthralled by this living symbol of our American spirit. I’ve watched through failed hatches, predator attacks, frigid weather and storms, fledglings and joyful hatchlings. I will miss Jackie.
I usually have to leave the area when people start talking about having to say good bye to their four-legged best friends. And having to go through that process 3 times in the span of 18 months was extremely painful. So, I fully understand Sasha.
Thank you Sasha for the lovely words! I watched these eagles for the last two years as well. It was fascinating! Something very special. An eye on something we rarely see ever. I have seen eagles flying in the wild and always thought what a fantastic comeback they have made. I never saw them years ago. ThanK goodness for the banning of DDT. I do hope they will be able to figure out what killed her. Was it something in the environment? It seems to be a puzzle! There are a lot of questions and you wonder if Shadow will return to this nest with a new mate. Time will tell I guess! Fly free Jackie! You will always be loved and never forgotten🥲♥️
I lived for a time in a marina. A nesting pair lived in a large Aspen tree on the shore. When hungry they would swoop down and nab a seagull or cormmorant chick from the breakwater a couple times a day which caused a heck of a commotion among the hundreds of seabirds. Chased back to the tree they were safe because as I learned gulls and cormmorants can't fly through the leaves of the trees. We always cheered on those eagles.
I get the grief. During summers, I manage a small mining operation outside of Nome, Alaska, and live in a yurt overlooking the Nome River. It's a peaceful place surrounded by birds of which I'm learning about with the Merlin app on my iPhone. There are several ponds below the yurt (old mine pits) that host a mating pair of Tundra Swan that have been returning every summer and raise a small brood of cygnets ever since I moved into this yurt in 2017. This year, only one returned. For over a month, it stayed in and around the pond calling for its mate who never arrived. I've never heard swans make a noise like this. It was just heartbreaking. One morning, a few weeks ago, the lonely swan was gone and has not returned. My understanding is they mate for life and that they typically live for about ten years. What happens to an old swan that loses its mate? Do they seek another mate or do they die of a broken heart? I can't bear to think about it.
I’ve been following these eagles and their offspring for a long time now. I recently learned that Jackie was not well, and the Ojai bird people were trying to save her. I am saddened to learn Jackie has died, and like you, question why I care so much about a bird I never met.
You are right I watched an Osprey nest in Maine for a number of years until one year the female didn’t return. You become very attached to them and they do go through some harrowing experiences that does affect you.
You are not alone in your tears, Jackie and Shadow have been like family to thousands, if not millions. What a beautiful tribute ❤️
All creatures great and small.
I was so saddened to hear about Jackie. I’ve been watching her and Shadow for several years and was enthralled by this living symbol of our American spirit. I’ve watched through failed hatches, predator attacks, frigid weather and storms, fledglings and joyful hatchlings. I will miss Jackie.
‘enthralled by this living symbol of our American spirit.’ — best comment here ❤️🩹
I love your big heart.
Those of us with farm animals live this constantly. It helps to prepare one for his own death
I usually have to leave the area when people start talking about having to say good bye to their four-legged best friends. And having to go through that process 3 times in the span of 18 months was extremely painful. So, I fully understand Sasha.
Sasha, your tribute to Jackie brought me to tears. You have an incredible gift of words and choosing the perfect songs!
Thank you Sasha for the lovely words! I watched these eagles for the last two years as well. It was fascinating! Something very special. An eye on something we rarely see ever. I have seen eagles flying in the wild and always thought what a fantastic comeback they have made. I never saw them years ago. ThanK goodness for the banning of DDT. I do hope they will be able to figure out what killed her. Was it something in the environment? It seems to be a puzzle! There are a lot of questions and you wonder if Shadow will return to this nest with a new mate. Time will tell I guess! Fly free Jackie! You will always be loved and never forgotten🥲♥️
I lived for a time in a marina. A nesting pair lived in a large Aspen tree on the shore. When hungry they would swoop down and nab a seagull or cormmorant chick from the breakwater a couple times a day which caused a heck of a commotion among the hundreds of seabirds. Chased back to the tree they were safe because as I learned gulls and cormmorants can't fly through the leaves of the trees. We always cheered on those eagles.
Thanks for not restricting your comments to politics or Hollywood dramas. Your comments are appreciated 👍
Beautiful tribute🙏
May she rest -- or whatever else eagles do after they die -- in peace.
I get the grief. During summers, I manage a small mining operation outside of Nome, Alaska, and live in a yurt overlooking the Nome River. It's a peaceful place surrounded by birds of which I'm learning about with the Merlin app on my iPhone. There are several ponds below the yurt (old mine pits) that host a mating pair of Tundra Swan that have been returning every summer and raise a small brood of cygnets ever since I moved into this yurt in 2017. This year, only one returned. For over a month, it stayed in and around the pond calling for its mate who never arrived. I've never heard swans make a noise like this. It was just heartbreaking. One morning, a few weeks ago, the lonely swan was gone and has not returned. My understanding is they mate for life and that they typically live for about ten years. What happens to an old swan that loses its mate? Do they seek another mate or do they die of a broken heart? I can't bear to think about it.
I’ve been following these eagles and their offspring for a long time now. I recently learned that Jackie was not well, and the Ojai bird people were trying to save her. I am saddened to learn Jackie has died, and like you, question why I care so much about a bird I never met.
This is why: All creatures, great and small.
You are right I watched an Osprey nest in Maine for a number of years until one year the female didn’t return. You become very attached to them and they do go through some harrowing experiences that does affect you.
I am still getting over the loss of Teddy, our PomerJackHiuahua. 3 & 1/2 years and it still hurts.