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Conowingo Dam is a hydroelectric dam built across the Susquehanna River located at the northeast corner of Maryland. It is world famous as the place to photograph Bald Eagles. I found out about it from a photographer I met recently while looking for this year’s Snowy Owl in New Jersey (I haven’t found it yet). He said it was best to go in November, but some Bald Eagles may still be at the dam until February. So I went there this past weekend.

There were perhaps 50 to 100 photographers with big and long zoom lenses. I was told that in November, photographers, many from far way Asian and European countries, would be standing shoulder to shoulder on Fisherman’s Wharf to photograph hundreds of Bald Eagles as they compete for fish, mainly shad, on the rocky area beneath the dam. The photos they took and posted on the Internet are simply amazing.

Conowingo Dam.

Conowingo Dam.

Bald Eagle at Conowingo Dam looking for fish.

Bald Eagle at Conowingo Dam looking for fish.

Bald Eagle to Conowingo Dam.

Bald Eagle to Conowingo Dam.

The following photos show a Bald Eagle swooping down for a catch, then losing it.

Bald Eagle starting its dive toward fish.

Bald Eagle starting its dive toward fish.

Bald Eagle going after fish.

Bald Eagle going after fish.

Bald Eagle catching fish. Note that it only used one talon to grab the fish.

Bald Eagle catching fish. Note that it only used one talon to grab the fish.

Fish, a Shad, struggled free of Bald Eagle!

Fish, a Shad, struggled free of Bald Eagle!

Two Bald Eagles fishing.

Two Bald Eagles fishing.

Shad caught!

Shad caught!

Photographing scenes like these requires a lot of preparation and patience. In addition to their cameras, lenses, and tripods, people brought along food, warm drinks, and camp chairs to sit on while they wait for hours and hours. Of course, everyone wore warm clothes, and many even had hunting camos on themselves and wrapped around their lenses.