It's happening: Cherished eagle pair rebuild as photographers capture the compelling action

With bated breath, wildlife enthusiasts in the region have been waiting for this moment and now it's here: The two cherished eagles who lost the place they called home – their nest perched atop Lake Natoma – are officially rebuilding. The eagles, affectionately named Mama and Papa, have been observed by multiple admirers building a new nest not far from their original nest in a tree in a hilly, rugged area known as the bluffs near Black Miner's Bar. This rebuild comes after a storm with heavy rain and wind toppled the tree that long held their nest in early January. Many said it wasn't a surprise the tree succumbed to the stress of a storm, since it appeared vulnerable and unstable in recent years. Local photographer Brett Macadam has been fascinated by the eagle pair for years and has a slew of dynamic photographs of them in his archives. Last week, after keeping a lookout for a new nest, Macadam caught the birds in action, carrying sticks and small pieces of branch to build their new home. Macadam's pictures are compelling, with the eagles in all their majestic glory and strength clearly on display, and admirers like Macadam couldn't wait to capture the moment. "I was seeing pictures of the eagles building so I finally had the time to see for myself," said Macadam. "It was such an incredible sight to see them finally building the nest. To see them fly in and out with grass, sticks and branches genuinely made me so happy. I truly appreciate the bond I have with these birds and am blessed to capture and document these amazing creatures." According to fish and wildlife experts, a mated pair work together to build a nest, using a foundation of sticks and branches woven together to create a solid, sturdy base and topped with soft material such as grass or even feathers. The timeline to complete a project such as this varies with normal ranges from a few weeks to one month. By spring, no doubt the feathered local celebrities will resume some normalcy and return to being admired from afar in their nest, by not just photographers but also walkers, runners and cyclists who stop on the bike trail below their tree, hoping to grab a glimpse of Mama and Papa – symbols of determination, resilience and grace. Brett Macadam's photos of the eagles and other regional wildlife can be found on Instagram handle @macadamphotography