Eagle Time

It was a beautiful day at Conowingo Dam.  I wish these photos were better... I guess it means I'll have to go back next week. 

Conowingo Dam

On my way back from DC on Saturday I stopped by Conowingo Dam to make up for the trip I missed on Friday.  I got there about 40 minutes before sunset so I didn't have a lot of time.  The flock of Common Mergansers flew overhead immediately after I finished adjusting my camera settings.  Nice timing.  None of the eagle people blinked.  There were a few eagles flying about but nothing I could really get.  The warning alarm sounded, you can see the red lights in the second photo, and they opened up a few turbines.  I think the gulls understood the alarm because they came running from everywhere to feast. 

Fishing Line

This vulture was killed by fishing line.  It's important to dispose of fishing line properly or to remove any you find lying around.  Our litter can kill. 

Black Vultures

As many bald eagles as I saw on Saturday there were even more black vultures.  Several times they flew so close over my head that I could hear the swoosh, swoosh of their wing beats. 

Conowingo Dam

I had a great visit to Conowingo Dam today.  The eagles were out in full force and after a while even the sun made an appearance. 

Spillways Are Open

I have a lot of photos for this post.  It's the first time I've been at the Conowingo Dam when the spillways were open.  I'd heard rumors that the eagles went crazy fishing when that happened.  Maybe they were done by the time I got there.  I had visions of photographing an eagle flying in front of the rainbow glittering off the spray but only the seagulls and pigeons were cooperative.  

So anyway, here are some photos from a beautiful Thanksgiving morning.

 

An Eagle in Every Tree

I took a whole lotta pictures yesterday.  We stopped at Conowingo Dam on our way up to Millersville University for Olivia's Championship Band Competition.  I think there was an eagle in every tree.  It was the first time I got to hear them calling to each other.  I wish I had a recording to share.  It was very cool.  I'm planning to make another trip to the Dam soon so you can look forward to some more bald eagle photos!

February at Conowingo Damn

Monday when I visited Longwood Gardens a bald eagle flew overhead as I exited the Conservatory. I decided to drive down to the Conowingo Dam and see if any eagles might be there this time of year. I've been curious to see who hangs out at the dam in the spring. Around Thanksgiving 100's of eagles stop by during their migration.

It was much quieter. Just a few ducks, seagulls, geese, and vultures. And then flying through the air, a pair of bald eagles. They seem to be nesting on the wire tower.

Big Numbers

This picture has at least 40 bald eagles, 9 herons, 2 vultures, and an unknown number of black birds and sea birds. And that was just this frame and just what was clear enough to count in the photo. Conowingo Dam is an amazing place to see bald eagles!

New Camera

I know I promised Halloween photos but my parents gave me my birthday present early this year. I have a new camera. (insert happy dancing.) So OF COURSE I had to take it down to Conowingo Dam and test it out on the bald eagles. Yipee!

I should add that the bit of black showing under the white tail is the fish these two are fighting over.

Vultures at Conowingo Dam

Land of the Free

Conowingo Dam