4-2-2025 Sweet New Experiences

We begin April with new names chosen for the chicks... Sunny and Gizmo! Big thanks to all who submitted names and to our local 3rd, 4th & 5th grade students who voted yesterday. We are especially grateful to all of you who assisted with the naming process!

Prior to the contest, the special name of Misty was chosen for Chick1 who sadly passed away in a winter storm. Misty is named in memory of our sweet and devoted team admin, Kathy Misterly, who lost her battle with cancer in 2022. Kathy was blessed to see our sweet “Spirit” hatch and fledge and she is still so greatly missed.

Jackie and the chicks awoke this morning surrounded by chilly air and snow! After a yoga stretch, she checked on the chicks then climbed up to the back porch. While Jackie called out to Shadow, the chicks sat up together posing perfectly to introduce themselves to the world as Sunny, the bigger chick and Gizmo, the smaller sibling.

After Jackie flew off, the chicks huddled back together and waited for Mama's return. In the meantime, Dad Shadow landed on the high perch for a quick chick check. Gizmo ate its first teeny tiny snowball while Sunny managed a few crop drops then tucked its head into its wing… so adorable!
Jackie returned with a small prickly stick, then fed the chicks a breakfast of a now frozen coot left over from yesterday. Jackie cleaned up while Gizmo poked its beak into the snow and popped up with the cutest little snow mask. After their feeding, time for a mid-morning nap which also included a tired Mama.

The chicks are 4 weeks old now and weigh about 5-7 pounds. At 9 weeks old, they will be fully grown! There will be many “firsts” for them in the days to come as we see them grow and mature. Their leg muscles will get stronger, as we've already seen with Sunny, allowing them to stand and navigate better around the nest.

Sunny and Gizmo now appear to be best friends as their sibling rivalry has greatly diminished. They pal around, sleep cuddled up and yesterday were discovering and nibbling at each other's beaks in a very gentle way before dozing off together for an afternoon nap.

Thanks again for loving this eagle family!

BKind22

[Pawnee-rb]

I love the fact that they are so well fed that they don’t need to fight for food. I love seeing them play and preen each other.💙💙

[otiebrown]

All my problems, GO AWAY, when I watch then play. So cute.

[tammic.a.t.crazyaunttammi]

As always and forever, thanks go to all of FOBBV moderators, camera operators, volunteers, and of to Jackie & Shadow and now Sunny & Gizmo too. Of course, not to forget little Misty & Kathi Misterly for all she did for this precious family thru the years! God bless you all and again, thank you!❤

[Heather-xzfk]

Amazing to me how many people around the world love this family. Maybe there is hope for humanity to evolve to a higher state of being.

[Nala]

Jackie and Shadow are the epitome of how Eagles strive to raise healthy eaglets to fledge providing an ample pantry and great protection ...Love this Eagle Family and I wish them every success.❤❤

[sherryfuzesy]

It’s reassuring to see Sunny and Gizmo enjoying each other’s company ❤

[sharonlefebure]

It’s so great to see them not bopping each other in the head! They both look like they’re well fed and happy babies. And their names are very cute. I hope Sunny and Gizmo remain healthy and happy. And same goes for mom and dad! 😊

[KohalaLover]

Five to seven pounds each! Whooh. Beautiful. Sunny and Gizmo are adorable names. We are fortunate to see the majesty of this family. Thank you Sandy and volunteers.

[roseLA]

Misty surely made its presence firm and known as chick 1 and I believe Misty did not pass away in vain but instead had the most amazing life, albeit short, filled with so much love and care from Jackie & Shadow - I like to think that Misty dreamed off to a place h/she just couldn’t leave🙏🏼 Gizmo suits SC perfectly for its quirky nature and Sunny for BC to me represents hope for a brighter tomorrow💛 Amazing job by all who submitted names and to the school children who chose them!🎉😊❤

[claudiacruz]

I love this eagle family and I admire them so much. Their dedication to take care of their babies is amazing to watch. It brings tears to my eyes watching how gentle they are and loving. I love watching them bring so much food, sticks and fluff to keep their home warm safe and fed.

[GhostRider-cvlb]

We are so fortunate to see one of the most amazing life moments on this planet happening in such a picturesque setting💕

[lottahullabaloo]

Hello Shadow, Jackie Gizmo, Sunny ! Greetings from Spain 🇪🇸 ☀️✨

[jopowell]

It's a treat watching the parents swoop in from the distance. Wish there was a way to let them know how many of us treasure sharing their parenting experience real-time.

[aquietsilence]

Everytime I try to put into words how I feel about this sweet, tenderoni family, I am unable.
A tsunami of adjectives overwhelms my heart, mind and soul.
I am only able to profoundly sum it all up by saying,
I love Shadow, Jackie, Sunny and Gizmo deeply, and beyond eternity.

[VikL]

I love the names Sunny and Gizmo. I am so happy Gizmo has made it so far, being so small . thanks to Jackie and Shadow! Shadow was so good at giving Gizmo tiny bites.

[melbe]

Omg you guys, our babies are getting so big!! ❤

[ReneeMt]

Jackie, Shadow, you are the most magical, majestic parents love your Sunny & Gizmo and fly high Misty.❤❤❤❤❤

[elainefryback]

These babies are so precious! I spend hours just watching them and J&S!

[charlenemartin]

❤ so cute giving each other siblings kisses

[topcover]

Yoikes! The eaglets are HUGE now. Great to see them healthy and getting along. Props to the parents S&J!