It’s been Bald Eagle season at Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River in Maryland. The past couple of years have been sparse with eagles, due to a variety of reasons.
The first being that Conowingo Dam’s permit for operation had been suspended for some time while environmentalists argued about the silt caused by the dam and the resulting consequences in the Chesapeake Bay. The second being the huge influx of photographers along the fence line. The number of visitors have more than doubled in the past couple of years due to social media and word of mouth.
But this year, the eagles are back, and they are back in full force. With numbers over 150 on a regular day, these regal birds giggle high on the power lines while they wait for an easy fish to float down the river.
Photographing them is never easy as much of the action is far away. Even with a 500mm lens with a 1.4xx extender with the equivalent of 700mm, the birds are still really far. But watching the action has been incredible. There were times were more than five eagles where flying together in a tough dispute for a solitary fish. Many times, the one that got the fish decides that if he can’t have it, than neither can they. “Content over Quality” as many photographers along the fence say.
I’ve been busy visiting the dam with the three photography workshops that I’ve held there, offered through Capital Photography Center. It’s a pre-dawn departure to arrive there by 6:30 a.m. to stake out my real estate for my class participants. Being at the dam is like being at a baseball game. You spend a lot of time waiting, and most things are quiet. Then BAM ! The eagles hit a home run and you have to be quick on the draw to catch the action.
As with any bird photography, the best images are when the birds are close. Luckily, there has been a young female that has made the photographers her friends. She sits high in a tree near where many stand and just pose like a runway model.
I’m thrilled as I’ll be returning the dam this next week, this time with my camera in tow. So I’m hoping to get some of those close fly-bys that we all wait hours and hours for. Wish me luck!
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
vowww…wonderful image..!!
like to share some my recent love birds series.
Love Birds
Thank you for sharing your blog and thank you for your kind comments.
Wonderful!
Thanks Ronald.
What glorious eagle shots complete with fish Emily – LOVE the bald eagle!
You are too kind Joanne. Thank you so much ! I love them too.
Amazing photos!!
Thank you very much Mariel.
So majestic. You did well with these images Emily.
You are truly too kind to me Miriam. Thank you so very much.
It’s my pleasure.
nice pics!
Thank you Costin.
Awesome pics!! I was there once and had the privilege of seeing a few- I may have to make a trip back this year! 🙂
Oh how wonderful Dana…so you now exactly what I’m talking about. It’s been a great season this year. Next weekend freezing temps….eeh gads!
Wonderful captures!
Thank you so much dear Ilex.
Great shots! I’ve been there before and am glad to see the eagles are back in force. Maybe I’ll get back this year!
So thrilled to be able to share these with you Lorrie so that you can relive your experience. I hope you make it back there again.
Thanks for sharing these gorgeous photos, and have a great weekend,
Pit
Truly my pleasure Pit ! I spent day with the eagles on Sat. then Pelicans today. It’s been awesome.
🙂
Very interesting to see this, as I’ve driven across Conowingo Dam many times in the past. Good shots, Emily.
Is that right? And you’ve never stopped? There are eagles there year-round. Although the highest numbers are during November and December. I hope you stop one day.
Lovely photos, thanks for sharing. I have just started a poetry blog here on WordPress in case you are interested in taking a look? Have a good day, Sam 🙂
Wonderful Samba – looking forward to coming over for a visit. Thank you.
Thanks and have a good day ahead 🙂