Soaring with Eagles

We had been hearing for a few days that the Bald Eagle activity at the Conowingo Dam was unusually busy.  Since we had to drive right by the exit for the dam on our way home from NYC, we decided to leave early to allow ourselves a few hours there, weather permitting.  It was overcast and at times misty, but the temperature was pleasant and the activity was amazing.  There were dozens of Bald Eagles hanging out around the dam, occasionally fishing and then flying over to the trees behind us. Most of the fishing activity was a good distance from us so a shot of them grabbing a fish out of the water was elusive.  

Conowingo is famous for a winter population of 100 or more eagles in November and December.  Photographers come from all over the country to shoot them, however this past winter was different.  There had been so much rain during the fall and early winter that the area was flooded and the waters were so turbulent that the eagles were further down the river. We cancelled a trip in December because there were no eagles at the dam.  No one seems to have an explanation for their presence at the dam now, but no one is complaining either.  For us it was such a contrast to the winter scene, as there were only a few photographers and we weren't frozen to the bone.