Bald Eagle - Our National Symbol - Vol. #7

Thank you all .....

The Bald Eagles at Conowingo are intelligent and quite talented. Here is a junior eagle operating as an "engineer trainee" working the controls at the dam breast. ;-)

When boredom sets in, they even provide some extra entertainment. Here is one performing a high wire act ..... and without a net underneath. WOW !!!

They even play their own version of the children's game called "GO FISH"

Here are five eagles starting a chase ......

I think the top one is in the lead ......

An adult heading my way with a nice catch ......

I will probably soon bring the "Bald Eagle" thread to a close. I might go back one more time but that will probably be it until next year. I am sure I will photograph a few Bald Eagles around Blackwater National wildlife Refuge over the next few months. They are usually quite active there around that time. The one pair of eagles seen on the Blackwater webcam will start to nest around the 19th of January with an early March hatching. Unfortunately, I can't get any of that action.

I really enjoy the thread and appreciate all the time invested along with some bad conditions you've endured. Thanks so much Charlie!!!! (((HUGS)))

Linth, I haven't had a chance to view your latest photos as I've had internet woes. Wonderful shots. I love your Bald Eagle threads. The post #8245867 from December 6th from just below the dam breast is just gorgeous.

Here is an image I got at the Conowingo Dam Nov 9th 2010. It was an incredible day and I will return their next year in the fall. I have other places near by in VA and in Southern MD to photograph Bald Eagles at their nesting sites. I hope to get close enough to get good photos without disturbing them.

Awhhhh, Linth, already you're stopping the trips? I know the weather is bad, but it seems like you just started this thread.

All your photos are such a delight to see. I can imagine your excitement when the eagles are heading right for you-that's about the time I start to really shake too. However, each one of your pictures is exceptional so don't be so hard on yourself.

Thanks, pelle, Margaret & duc.

Welcome to Dave's Garden, ejw49eagle. I noticed that you just signed on. Hopefully, you will post some of your nesting shots as the season unfolds. At Conowingo, early November was pretty good but for whatever reason it seems to have peaked earlier than the last year, or two. Thanksgiving week has been the peak time in the past.

duc, I generally devote 2 months (once a week) photographing the Bald Eagles at Conowingo. The weather is not the main issue for not going back but I like to visit some other places with a little bit more variety of birds and wildlife. January and February are great months for migratory waterfowl so I will be spending more time on the eastern shore of the mid-Atlantic states. I will still encounter occasional Bald Eagles there.

But, here are a few more photos from Conowingo, taken in early December. This is an adult sitting right off of the parking lot.

Coming in for a landing ........

Almost touchdown .......

Touchdown !!!

A series of 4 photos .......

Welcome to the Bird Watching forum ejw49eagle!! Very nice shot. We will be looking forward to seeing more photos from you.

Love that last one Linth!

pelle, here is another one I played around with. Ansel Adams said, "You don't take a photograph, you make it". But, I'm sure he didn't mean what I just did. I cheated a little bit. Just a little !

My God, Linth, I love the first one which is looking directly at you. Also love the pattern of the bark. What type of tree is it? And as for cheating, pfffft, no way! They've still only got two legs each. LOL

Beautiful!

Thank you.

Margaret, as I recall, it is an American Sycamore tree, American Plane (Platanus occidentalis).

Here's wishing everyone a Happy Holiday Season ... and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Hey Linth, I got a listserv email that said there are about 150 Eagles at the Lock and Dam 13 where I go, so might head out there next Sunday. Still don't have the lens reach, but oh well! Fun to watch!

Happy Holidays to All. Donna

Happy Holidays to you too Linth-your photos are fantastic. I love that "parking lot" closeup and the others are so sharp and clear-well done!

EJW-great shot!

Mrs Ed, best of luck this weekend. With 150 eagles around, a few are bound to get close to you. Do you ever go to Lock & Dam 14 ? I read somewhere that 14 is the most popular site.

Here's a few more from my last visit, three weeks ago.

A photogenic adult Bald Eagle in flight .........

This Bald Eagle "likes" to be photographed .......

And, another ......

Thanks linth.

I've been to L/D14, but actually on a boat going through it. It is the more popular place I think because you can get closer to the birds, I understand.

Great Set Linth!! Love that first shot! Lighting is perfect! What kind of counts do they have there this year? or how many have you counted in a day?