The Bald Eagles Return!

Dec 5 2016

It’s been a few years since I last photographed the eagles at Conowingo Dam, but I hauled all my gear back to Maryland this Thanksgiving in order to take a few photos of them. For those unfamiliar, Conowingo Dam has become an annual visiting spot for dozens (sometimes hundreds) of bald eagles. Over the years, they’ve learned to fish on the easy prey of fish who get caught in the dam’s turbines and come out the other side disoriented. What results is quite a spectacle – dozens of times a day, eagles swoop down from above to precisely grab the fish.

It has become a classic visiting spot for birdwatchers, fishermen, and photographers; during this time of year, there are always dozens of photographers sporting supertelephoto lenses lined up on the bank waiting to capture the story unfold.

Below are some of my favorite images. I’ve posted the full gallery and more in the album here.

(Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, 560 mm, 1/1250, f/5, ISO 800)

(Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, 560 mm, 1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 800)

(Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, 560 mm, 1/1250, f/5, ISO 800)

(Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, 560 mm, 1/2500, f/5, ISO 800)

Something that’s even more rare: a fight between a great blue heron and an immature bald eagle. Not sure what they were getting on about but it was pretty cool.

(Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, 560 mm, 1/1000, f/5, ISO 800)

In the off time between eagles, the local cormorant population is also fun to watch fish. These birds can dive below water for many minutes and usually come up with a fish!

(Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, 560 mm, 1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 800)