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Jackie: The Queen of Big Bear Valley
Before she became the Queen of Big Bear Valley, she was a little eaglet named Jack.
In 2012, something extraordinary happened high in the mountains of Southern California. For the first time in recorded history, a bald eagle chick was known to have hatched in Big Bear Valley. The tiny eaglet was named Jack—until observers realized their growing young eagle was actually female.
Jack became Jackie.
Over the years that followed, Jackie grew from Big Bear's historic first eaglet into a devoted mother, fierce protector, and beloved wild eagle whose life would eventually be watched by people around the world. Alongside her longtime mate, Shadow, Jackie endured brutal winter storms, unhatched eggs, heartbreaking losses, remarkable hatches, and the unforgettable moments when their young finally spread their wings over Big Bear Valley.
Through photographs, documented history, wildlife observations, and the records of those who followed her journey, The Queen of Big Bear Valley tells Jackie's story from her extraordinary beginning in 2012 through her final chapter in 2026.
Inside are the stories of Stormy and BBB, Simba and Cookie, Spirit, Misty, Sunny and Gizmo, Sandy and Luna, and the remarkable family that grew from one little eaglet in a mountain nest. Readers will also discover photographs and visual guides that help preserve the places, relationships, and milestones that became part of Jackie's world.
This is more than the story of a bald eagle.
It is a story of perseverance, motherhood, partnership, loss, survival, and beginning again.
And above all, it is the story of Jackie—the little eaglet once called Jack who grew up to become...
The Queen of Big Bear Valley.
In 2012, something extraordinary happened high in the mountains of Southern California. For the first time in recorded history, a bald eagle chick was known to have hatched in Big Bear Valley. The tiny eaglet was named Jack—until observers realized their growing young eagle was actually female.
Jack became Jackie.
Over the years that followed, Jackie grew from Big Bear's historic first eaglet into a devoted mother, fierce protector, and beloved wild eagle whose life would eventually be watched by people around the world. Alongside her longtime mate, Shadow, Jackie endured brutal winter storms, unhatched eggs, heartbreaking losses, remarkable hatches, and the unforgettable moments when their young finally spread their wings over Big Bear Valley.
Through photographs, documented history, wildlife observations, and the records of those who followed her journey, The Queen of Big Bear Valley tells Jackie's story from her extraordinary beginning in 2012 through her final chapter in 2026.
Inside are the stories of Stormy and BBB, Simba and Cookie, Spirit, Misty, Sunny and Gizmo, Sandy and Luna, and the remarkable family that grew from one little eaglet in a mountain nest. Readers will also discover photographs and visual guides that help preserve the places, relationships, and milestones that became part of Jackie's world.
This is more than the story of a bald eagle.
It is a story of perseverance, motherhood, partnership, loss, survival, and beginning again.
And above all, it is the story of Jackie—the little eaglet once called Jack who grew up to become...
The Queen of Big Bear Valley.
84 pages, Hardcover
Published October 20, 2026
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