Many Of You Love Watching Jackie And Shadow's Nest, But Here Are 5 Other CA Wildlife Cams To Check Out

Big Bear's first couple and world famous bald eagles Jackie and Shadow have captivated the world as they have attempted to expand their family over the last several months. Though the chances for one of their three eggs hatching now seem all but nil, thousands of devoted viewers are still glued to the livestream to witness the cycle of life.

And the season is not yet over, at least for the time being, since the couple is still hanging out at the nest — though they are spending less and less time there.

"There's no defined nesting season," said Sandy Steers, executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley that operates the livestream. "It's different every year. It's based on when Jackie and Shadow decide to come in, which is based somewhat on the weather, on what's happening in the environment."

As to when they'll leave, same deal. "They choose, nature chooses. There's no set time frame," Steers said.

Even when the nest is empty, the organization's livestream is always on, 24/7, waiting for the eagles to return in the fall.

But Jackie and Shadow aren't the only animal celebs out there. We've selected these five other wildlife cams for your viewing pleasure.

El Cajon barn owls cam

The El Cajon Barn Owls cam

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Screenshot of the El Cajon Owls cam

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The interweb continues to marvel. We searched high and low for information on the El Cajon Barn Owls cam, but admittedly have come up short.

Its mysterious provenance notwithstanding, we do know this: These non-migratory birds are common in San Diego County, according to the San Diego Natural History Museum. And since barn owls don't build nests, they have been known to take up backyard nest boxes in the area to lay eggs.

Check out the livestream.

Channel Islands kelp forest cam

Here we have a live underwater cam at Anacapa Island, one of the five islands in Channel Islands National Park. In addition to views of the surreal and breathtaking kelp forests — one third of SoCal's kelp forests are found in that area, according to the National Park Service — you could also catch sight of the nearly one thousand marine species that call this place home, including the largest gathering of blue whales in the world.

Pro tip: Enjoy the ASMR sounds of the undulating underwater world, it's surprisingly soothing.

Check out the livestream.

Friends of the Elephant Seals cam

Friends of the Elephant Seals cam

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Screenshot of Friends of the Elephant Seals cam

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The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery in California's Central Coast is one of the largest breeding colony for Northern elephant seals. Roadtrippers on Highway 1 can pull over for an up-close look at the giant marine mammals, estimated to number up to 25,000 in recent years, that congregate along the nearly 8-mile coastline.

Two livestreams have been set up by the nonprofit Friends of the Elephant Seals for those who want to keep tabs on these magnificent animals that are considered a conservation miracle in SoCal. The first known pup was born on the beach in the early 1990s, when just about two dozens adults were found in the area.

Fun fact: These seals typically head back to the place where they were born to mate.

Check out the livestreams.

Live hummingbird feeder cam

Angelenos are no stranger to sightings of the small but mighty hummingbirds, but as we all know, these creatures are as quick as they are elusive.

In comes the Live Hummingbird Feeder stream, operated by a Studio City resident since 2020, who has been feeding these birds from her home for more than a decade, according to her YouTube page. She is also on a declared quest to photograph the more than 350 hummingbird species on the planet.

Check out the livestream.

Redding eagles live nest cam

Finally, we come full circle — to another pair of bald eagles named Liberty and Guardian in Redding. Of the three eggs she laid in February, two have hatched. Check out the eaglets and their parents on the livestream.