One of Big Bear Lake’s beloved bald eaglets took a horrifying plunge from her nest Sunday morning after losing her footing during an accidental first flight caught on the area’s wildly popular live nest camera.
Sandy, one of the eaglets raised by the famous bald eagle pair Jackie and Shadow, fell from the nest while trying to fly out on her own in what Friends of Big Bear Valley — the nonprofit that operates the live camera — call a fledge.
The dramatic video shows Sandy appearing to be startled as her brother, Luna, attempts to jump over her. She then loses her footing and tumbles out of the nest.
Friends of Big Bear Valley said Sandy appeared to land on a branch below the nest, where she was getting her bearings just out of the camera’s view.
Her mother, Jackie, was by her side almost immediately, keeping an eye on the young eaglet.
The nonprofit said Jackie has been through similar situations with other eaglets before and that both Jackie and Shadow will follow Sandy wherever she goes to make sure she is fed and cared for.
Meanwhile, camera operators are searching for Sandy as she remains out of view. Young bald eagles typically leave the nest and take their first flight at around 13 weeks old.
With Sandy and Luna both approaching 12 weeks old, Sunday’s unexpected plunge marked an early leap into the world beyond their nest.
The two fuzzy internet stars hatched over Easter weekend to the delight of viewers everywhere.
Sandy was named in honor of Sandy Steers, longtime Big Bear Valley executive director and fierce protector of the eagles’ habitat, who died in February.
Friends of Big Bear Valley said Sandy was the most popular submission in its naming contest, appearing 3,706 times out of 63,915 total entries.
“Although Sandy would not have wanted us to outright name one of the eaglets Sandy, she would have been honored that you and the students went through the process,” the organization said.