The Maryland Meetup Thread

Last week there were 100s literally. Saturday there weren't as many because they had the spill gates going strong and covering all the rocks, so they had to hang elsewhere. Aponi06, as for how long they are there, my 1st time every going to Conowingo Dam was in early March '09 and there were still a few Eagles around, but not like this time of year and December and January. So you have time to go and see them, just make sure the family is well dressed if you go because it's colder near the dam than inland.

I got some fly overs Saturday and the typical Eagles in the trees (4 of them).

Didn't have access at Conowingo but we were there at 8am. Had coffee and hot water carafes set up on the picnic table but didn't talk to anyone but a few birders. The place was mobbed with photographers, I didn't bother to go asking everyone who they were..

Guess I should start describing myself again, but I really didn't expect to see so many people.

Had one, maybe two shots at the eagles from 8-10. Too far away. My 400x2x1.6 (APS-C Sensor) was still not as close as I had hoped.

Im hoping to go again now that I know I need a longer lens. There were a lot of eagles but I just couldn't reach them. And with my luck I need the reach rather than hope ill get a fly by shot. I was there most of the day Friday and sun up to sun down Saturday and didn't get any useable eagle shots. Just far away landscape type ones with eagles in them. I'll post a few when I process them. The water from the spill gates was gorgeous though.

torvaterra wrote in post #13465575
Im hoping to go again now that I know I need a longer lens. There were a lot of eagles but I just couldn't reach them. And with my luck I need the reach rather than hope ill get a fly by shot. I was there most of the day Friday and sun up to sun down Saturday and didn't get any useable eagle shots. Just far away landscape type ones with eagles in them. I'll post a few when I process them. The water from the spill gates was gorgeous though.

. . .as was the junior Great Blue Heron who wasn't all too sure how to deal with his fish :{)#

"Look What I Caught!"

Love that shot of the GBH, Jon.

I was there on the 21st. There were probably 200 eagles there, mostly on the rocks and towers on the other side. Did get a few that flew by but I didn't get good shots (oof/motion blur/etc.) One landed in the tree above us and ate his/her fish. I took some shots of her, but the lighting was pretty poor and I wasn't pleased with the results.

Currently planning to get there again this Friday, if work doesn't get in the way

I'm planning on being there Fri/Sat/Sun this coming weekend.

Alex

Jon wrote in post #13468843
. . .as was the junior Great Blue Heron who wasn't all too sure how to deal with his fish :{)#

Having seen how the eagles mob eachother when one has a fish, I'm surprised junior was able to hang onto his meal at all.

I might be able to meet up Sunday.

alexclc wrote in post #13469758
I'm planning on being there Fri/Sat/Sun this coming weekend.

Alex

Junior was very happy with his catch. I got a few shots too but not quite as good. Im thinking of going again this weekend. I mean, I really want to... I just dont have a lens for the shots I want to get there. I might go because I dont have anything better to do and its only 2 hours away. But I want to be there for sunrise again so Id have to camp out in my car.

Here is one of my shots:

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Hey, I am wondering if anyone can recommend a camera cleaning service anywhere in the area? I have an old 5D that needs a pretty good cleaning.

Dollar day at the Aquarium was how I got started meeting up with you all. My hubby and teenager sons could not believe I was meeting people I talk to on the net. That was a long time ago and I've net up with Jon several times a year. Love seeing him. He's like the worst friend if you don't want to spend money.

Today at the temple at 4:30?

SuzyView wrote in post #13488820
Dollar day at the Aquarium was how I got started meeting up with you all. My hubby and teenager sons could not believe I was meeting people I talk to on the net. That was a long time ago and I've net up with Jon several times a year. Love seeing him. He's like the worst friend if you don't want to spend money.

Today at the temple at 4:30?

I resemble that remark! You don't want to get results, don't look at what other people use. And the last thing you asked me about runs under $15, tops, at Penn Camera (rubber lens hood for photographing through glass at the National Aquarium). Now, if you'll just get the RRS L brackets, you'll get a compact and veratitle flash bracket and interchangeability with Jim's and my tripods when you don't bring yours.

I am, however, looking at modding a thumbscrew so I can have a generic A-S plate that anyone can easily attach to their camera when they forgot their tripod (I didn't note her name at the Temple?).

I don't remember either. Thanks for the tip about the rubber hood. Getting it Tuesday, I hope. The trip is on Wednesday. I'm chaperoning 6 middle school girls. There will be 2 bus loads from the school I work at. Can't wait! Hope it doesn't rain, though. The Aquarium is so much fun, but walking from the Science Museum, getting lunch and then to the Aquarium may be difficult, and wet, with all my gear in one bag.

Torvaterra, I love that image you captured!