Bald eagles Conowingo Dam (Maryland)

I happened upon this interesting Blog. I used to live in DC and was interested in some of the memorial photo shoots.

http://dcphotoguide.com/2008/10/haines-alaska-and-conowingo-maryland/

What is DCPG?
DCPhotoGuide is a blog specifically designed for DC Metro photographers. Here we’ll talk about being a photographer in DC, let you know about upcoming events you can photograph, opportunities to show your work in local art/photography shows, and tips and tricks for photographing this photogenic city of ours.

Anyway, here is the post on the Bald Eagles...

I also googled and found some additional information...

• http://www.harfordbirdclub.org/conowingo.html
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/-jon-/tags/conowingodam/
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlyncheski/3107092353/
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/-jon-/sets/72157594330306729/

Every fall I take a look at my finances to see if I can take a few days off and go to Haines, Alaska, to photograph Bald Eagles. Unfortunately, if I have the vacation time, I don’t have the money and, if I have the money, I don’t have the vacation time.

So, while I was doubtful, I was intrigued when I recently heard about the Conowingo Dam, near Conowingo, Maryland, on the Susquehanna River. I was told that Bald Eagles use the area around the dam as a rest stop on their annual migration and some even make it their home. Well, yesterday, I spent the day at the dam and its true.

While I arrived at sunrise and got some nice landscapes, it was late morning and the two hours before sunset that were the most interesting. During these times, Bald Eagles were fishing downstream of the dam and flying directly overhead with their catch. Blue Herons, Black Cormorants, and gulls also make the dam their home and you can photograph them flying and fishing as well. Occasionally, you might even see Ospreys and Peregrine Falcons.

The Conowingo Dam is an electricity generation plant and, when the generators are running, fish are caught by the turbines and stunned or killed, which makes them easy prey for the Bald Eagles, Cormorants, and Blue Herons. You will know when the generators are going to start because ten minutes and just before the generators are started, an alarm will sound to warn the people fishing in boats downstream of the dam to move out of the way. The birds (don’t ask me how)recognize the sound and will get in position to fish. Be prepared because the eagles will quickly swoop down, catch a fish, and head away to eat its meal.

According the other photographers at the dam yesterday, it was a slow day. Peak season is still to come, beginning in late October and continuing through December and the winter months. Also, don’t ignore those other photographers. It is largely a group of very friendly “regulars” and they know each other well enough for some of them to have nicknames. They were a great source of information so be sure to introduce yourself and ask any questions.

Directly downstream, next to the dam is a small park for those wanting to fish and those photographing the bald eagles. The entrance to the park is located off of US Route 1, just south of the dam and river; turn east on Shuresville Road and then take the first left (it is really more of a u-turn) onto Shures Landing Road. While it will be tempting to climb down to the water’s edge, stay on the grass along the parking lot. This will put you above the water and near the trees directly over the river and allow you to easily move around to get the best view of the river.

Finally, you will need your longest lens and, if you have a second camera, bring it along with a medium telephoto lens so you can capture some of the birds that pass close to you.