Favorite Photography Locations in Maryland

Conowingo Dam is a great place to see bald eagles, herons, cormorants, and other birds. I've seen fishermen pull huge fish out, which of course is why the birds are there. There is a large parking lot along the river. Eagles like to perch in the trees near the lot, on the island in the middle of the river, and on the rocks on the far shore, and they hunt in the churned up dam discharge water. When they catch a fish, they frequently take their catch to a tree to eat. There are many opportunities to observe eagles hunting, fighting, flying, perching, and eating. Eagles frequently fly directly overhead at low altitude. The dam is located on the Susquehanna River within sight of the Interstate 95 bridge. People travel great distances to spend time at the dam, sometime days, shooting eagles. I frequently hear people speaking Japanese on my trips there. And there are license plates from all over the east coast on the cars in the lot. The best time of year is November, but there are eagles there year-round. A fisherman remarked to me that there is at least one eagle nest in the woods by the lot. Bring big glass! My 300mm lens is good for flyovers and perched-in-tree shots and the occasional action near the riverbank. But for action farther out, beyond the island, bigger glass would help. I see photographers there with 400mm lenses are bigger, mounted on tripods with gimbal heads. These lenses are for action well away from the shore. For closer action, some photographers have a second body with a shorter lens for hand-held shots.

Photographers at Conowingo Dam

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is on the Delmarva Peninsula. It's not large, and its location in the rural wetlands makes it a long drive for most people. It's home to bald eagles, and seasonally hosts ospreys. Here's a shot I got from my car while driving the Wildlife Loop.

Immature Bald Eagle Leans in to the Wind

Great Falls National Park is on the Potomac on both banks. Both sides of the river have overlooks that provide good photographic opportunities. The gorge downriver is also well worth a visit, particularly the Billy Goat Trail.

Great Falls