Has anyone been to the Conowingo dam for Bald Eagles this year? I'm thinking about making a trip mid November and was curious if there has been much (or any) activity yet.
Rob Whiting wrote:
Has anyone been to the Conowingo dam for Bald Eagles this year? I'm thinking about making a trip mid November and was curious if there has been much (or any) activity yet.
Rob Irv and Herb are there right now and Irv called me last night and said they are seeing eagles. It will always be a hit & miss untill the cold weather sets in and drives them south for food. I always went after Christmas as it was a 300 mile drive for me. Most early arrivals are immatures. They will be coming home soon and I am sure they will be posting so you can see what they got.
Lou
Rob,
I was there Monday and I would say about 60% Adults and 40% Juvies with close to 100 birds there already. They seem to be feeding early and late but not much mid day. Here are some shots from Monday.
Joe https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/829743
Thanks all for the info.. I was getting a little worried not seeing many eagles posted yet this year. I can certainly deal with 100 eagles, I think we had about 10 in my area last year. That made for some looong cold days waiting.
I'll be making the journey from MA and will be there on Nov 14/15. Hopefully the weather cooperates.
Can I ask some questions in this topic because I've been meaning to make a trip up there this year for the first time?
1. I've seen some pictures of the dam. Do most of the photographers stand behind a fence or are they at the waters edge? I've seen pictures of fisherman at the waters edge and I've seen pictures of photographers lined up behind a fence.
2. I have read that the light stays behind you the whole day....is this true?
3. What is the average distance that you are photographing the Eagles?
4. Is a 500mm lens adequate on a crop body?
5. I know timing is everything but how often is the dam running and do the Eagles fish when the dam isn't running?
6. Would you recommend a trip during the week or weekend? This will be a day trip for me.
Thanks in advance for anyone that is able to answer some of my questions. I'm trying to get an idea of what to expect when I make my trip and trying to get an idea when the best time would be for me to go. I'm not too concerned about the adults vs. juvis...
Duane N wrote:
Can I ask some questions in this topic because I've been meaning to make a trip up there this year for the first time?
1. I've seen some pictures of the dam. Do most of the photographers stand behind a fence or are they at the waters edge? I've seen pictures of fisherman at the waters edge and I've seen pictures of photographers lined up behind a fence.
2. I have read that the light stays behind you the whole day....is this true?
3. What is the average distance that you are photographing the Eagles?
4. Is a 500mm lens adequate on a crop body?
5. I know timing is everything but how often is the dam running and do the Eagles fish when the dam isn't running?
6. Would you recommend a trip during the week or weekend? This will be a day trip for me.
Thanks in advance for anyone that is able to answer some of my questions. I'm trying to get an idea of what to expect when I make my trip and trying to get an idea when the best time would be for me to go. I'm not too concerned about the adults vs. juvis......Show more →
Duane,
I am not one of the experrts, but I can try and answer your questions.
1. Most of the people will be behind the fence or possibly at the new fishing platform at the tail race. There is plenty of room on the rocks if you want. Or you can walk down a trail in the woods.
2. If you shoot across or up river the light will be to the side or behind you most of the day. If you shoot down river, it will be into the light in the morning.
3. There is an island that is 275 yards form what I am told. Action can be between the bank and the island. But fish do drop in the parking lot when they fly over head.
4. The 500mm is fine. There will be bigger glass and smaller.
5. Action can be spotty. Morning is good or when they run water. Patience is the key.
6. The weekends can be crowded. But there is good conversation when the action is slow.
I hope to be there tomorrow. It's worth the trip.
Howard
SHVv wrote:
Any recommendations for lodging in the area?
Steve
There are quite a few places along the I-95 corridor in that general area. Quite a few national chain hotel/motels in the Aberdeen, MD area which is pretty close by, and there's a Ramada Inn at the Perryville exit of I-95...
Chris B. wrote:
There are quite a few places along the I-95 corridor in that general area. Quite a few national chain hotel/motels in the Aberdeen, MD area which is pretty close by, and there's a Ramada Inn at the Perryville exit of I-95...
Please keep a look out for any banded birds if you will. Would like to know them as I may be able to trace them out to their birth nest for the photographer. Maybe even a nest photo from the banding Tec. Have gotten quite a few over the years.
Lou
lbuscher wrote:
Please keep a look out for any banded birds if you will. Would like to know them as I may be able to trace them out to their birth nest for the photographer. Maybe even a nest photo from the banding Tec. Have gotten quite a few over the years.
Lou
+1
Lou is the master of tracking down eagles. From one of my images, he tracked down the nest it was banded in and sent me a picture of he eagle in the nest the day it was banded. He's tha man! Thanks Lou!
Rob Whiting wrote:
+1
Lou is the master of tracking down eagles. From one of my images, he tracked down the nest it was banded in and sent me a picture of he eagle in the nest the day it was banded. He's tha man! Thanks Lou!
Thanks Rob but my record is not quite up near the 90% mark as many States give me a run around unless its one that know me. Did you know I tracked one to Catalina Island,===yeah the one on the west coast.
Herb and Irv have one with a purple band which should me a Maryland or Virgina bird but I believe it most likely was trapped at the Aberdean Proving grounds by the group at William & Mary. It is what looks to be a fully or just about fully matured so it has a white head and tail. Keep and eye out for it as I am not sure Herb was able to read he band. I have good luck with this area birds.
Lou
Mick Haensler wrote:
You guys don't need no steenkin' Conowingo!!! I will GUARANTEE you great eagle shots any day of the week at any time of day. I will even go so far as to say just bring a 200-300, no TC or nothin. Full frame EIFs guaranteed. Now you may ask how i can make this outrageous claim. Well....see below and you will see,
I got my own RC Eagle!!!!
Oh man, I just saw Ted's RC shot on another post. And here I thought I was being oh so clever .
Mick Haensler wrote:
You guys don't need no steenkin' Conowingo!!! I will GUARANTEE you great eagle shots any day of the week at any time of day. I will even go so far as to say just bring a 200-300, no TC or nothin. Full frame EIFs guaranteed. Now you may ask how i can make this outrageous claim. Well....see below and you will see,
Adam Strochak wrote:
Havre de Grace, MD is a nice place to stay if you are visiting Conowingo. 4-5 good restaurants and several B&Bs. Vandiver Inn is nice, among others.
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