Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle honored with life-sized memorial wood sculpture
A life‑sized wood carving now stands in Big Bear North Shore park, giving a physical presence to the eagle that captured millions through a live nest camera.
The chainsaw‑crafted sculpture was shaped from countless reference photos, reproducing Jackie’s distinctive plumage and fierce stare with striking accuracy. Its scale invites visitors to feel the bird’s majesty up close.
Park owner Mike Wayman notes that the piece offers a place for fans to reconnect with the creature they followed for years, while longtime observer Nancy Koch left flowers and a note, saying the sculpture is her way of showing love.
Beyond a memorial, the work highlights how digital wildlife viewing can inspire traditional craftsmanship, turning a fleeting online encounter into a lasting public artwork.