Golden eaglet Ayama flies off from the nest along Whychus Creek, viewed online far and wide

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Ayama, a golden eaglet widely viewed on the Golden Eagle Camera along Whychus Creek Canyon, flew off from his nest Wednesday evening as many online watched and cheered.

Jim Hammond of the East Cascades Bird Alliance said Ayama left around 7:15 p.m. Wednesday after a nesting season that began when the egg was laid in February

The East Cascades Bird Alliance supports the online nest camera, located on the property of Leslie Lawrence.

The camera, which has been in place for over 15 years, is located in the Deschutes Land Trust's Aspen Hollow Preserve, and the project is supported by Yellowknife Wireless.

"This is the only live camera viewing a golden eagle nest outside of eastern Europe (as far as we know)," he said.

Hammond said while they don’t really know the gender of the eaglet, "we seem to be comfortable calling it a 'he.'"

He said Ayama's name is derived from a Native American word meaning “golden eagle.”

The now empty-nester parents, Petra and Rocky, have been using this nest for 12 or more years, Hammond said.