Although the date of this trip was November 18, 2010, it is too good an adventure not to mention. For the longest time I thought to see a large meeting of Bald Eagles, I would have to travel to Oregon or Alaska. Doing a little research, I found that one of the greatest concentrations of Bald Eagles east of the Mississippi River is at the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River. Having made a trip there last January 2010 we saw approximately 20. This year our trip was planned when their numbers are at or near peak counts. From our home this is a 2 hour road trip including a pit stop on I-95 just before the exit. We were able to make the trip on a Thursday as weekends bring large numbers of photographers and bird watchers. If you want to see every large lens Nikon and Canon make, visit on a weekend. Don't go if you suffer from "lens envy"! As this is part of a PP&L facility, they have provided plenty of paved parking and porta-potties for public use. They also built a nice fishing pier right on the shore. Eagles are all over as you arrive. In the trees on your left and right and flying out over the river. It was agreed on by the photographers and birders there the count was 70 or higher. They have been in the 100-120 range at this time of year. A lot depends on weather conditions as different fronts move through the area. The cable tower on the island in the river had 30 sitting on that. When they fish, they fly within 30 yards of you and almost always pull a shad out of the river. From there they come right into the trees above you to rip the fish apart. They are not intimidated or shy with you viewing them. In the trees, a large cluster of lenses appear under them as they eat. It isn't hard to see where they landed to dine.
I use a Nikon 80-400VR on a Nikon D-80 for my images. You see lenses up to 600mm with 1.4x tele-converters. The 80-400 works very well as they fly right over you. When in the trees, Sheryll has no problem getting close enough with the Nikon 70-300VR. They are eating 30 feet or less from you. Something to keep in mind is the lighting. The sun travels in an arc that is usually always behind you but you are shooting into a bright sky most of the time. I used exposure compensation of about +1 most of the time. It helps to bring out the detail in the wings under the bird as the camera usually wants to expose for the brighter sky. Something you should keep in mind. As conditions change you may want to vary this but always add some.
Besides the Bald Eagles there are golden eagles, peregrine falcons, double-crested cormorants, black vultures and many smaller types as migrations move through. Something fun to witness is when the floodgates open when the station is going to generate electricity (this is a peak demand site). A very loud siren goes off and red lights on the island begin to flash to warn the anglers wading, or in boats down river. As the water level rises noticeably, it is a necessary precaution. When that happens, people scurry to higher ground (although unless you are at rivers edge, you are safe no matter where you are) and scurry may be polite. Some flat out run with terror on their faces! It is also the dinner bell for every bird within earshot as the sky fills with everything. The water out of the plant churns with bits of fish coming through the turbines so as the larger fish come to feed on this, anything airborne feeds on the growing food supply.
If this is something you are close to, plan a trip. You won't be disappointed!
Always go to the light,
Steve
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