Five Hotspots for Photographing Bald Eagles
The pros tell us about their favorite places to shoot Baldies.
Sure, Alaska hasby farthe largest population of Bald Eagles in the United States, withsome30,000 birds. And back in the 1960s, when there were fewer than 500 breeding pairs left in the contiguous U.S., heading for the Last Frontier may have been your best chance to photograph them. But these days, with Baldies nesting in every state but Hawaii, it's easy to get a stellarshot without ever setting foot on a plane. We asked five photographers about their favorite sites to shoot Bald Eagles in the Lower 48.
The Spot: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah
The Photographer: Mia McPherson
McPherson was so impressed by her first trip totheBear River Migratory Bird Refuge that, a few months later, she packed up a U-Haul and movedto Utah from Florida. “I realized there was a tremendous variety of birds here, and I decided that’s where I want to be,” she says.In fall and winter, thefish-filled Bear River draws Bald Eagles to the refuge, located roughly 70 miles north of Salt Lake City. Stopby the Wildlife Education Center,rightoff I-15 andjust outside BrighamCity,to learn about the area’s birds and natural history. Then make your way to theautoroute, a 12-mileloopwith plenty of places topull over and snap some photos.Consider calling aheadfor conditions—the loop can get tricky infoul weather.
The Spot: ConowingoDam, Maryland
The Photographer: David Lychenheim
Locatedan easy day trip from nearby metros like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, convenience is one reason Maryland’sConowingoDam is considered the best place on the East Coast to photograph Bald Eagles.Shootingthereis pretty simple—just finda spot along the fence that linesthe Susquehanna River.Ease of access is nice, but therealdraw? Eaglesgalore—300 or more on a typical day in winter, says Lychenheim, who runs awith updates on current eagle action at Conowingo and helps run an “Eagles Day” event each November. When other water bodies freeze,the birdshead toConowingoto fish, and they’re not above snagging shadkilledby the dam. “Eagles are lazy bums,”Lychenheimsays. “I tell people that’s probably what I’ll come back as in my next life.”Pro tip:ConowingoPizzadelivers to the dam.
The Spot: LeClaire, Iowa
The Photographer:Todd Gustafson
If you’re looking for a spot comparable toConowingobut livein the Heartland, head forLeClaire, Iowa.Just upstream fromthe Quad Cities area, and about a three-hour drive from Chicago,LeClaireis home to Lock and Dam 14 on the Mississippi River, whereaprotects a favorite winterroosting site for Bald Eagles. You might not seeConowingo-like numbers ofbirds, butto get the perfect shot, Gustafson says,“all it takes is one.”While eagles are the big midwinter draw, if you find yourself near LeClairein April, don't pass up the opportunity to photograph the migrating White Pelicans that stop in by the hundreds.
The Spot: Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge, Missouri
The Photographer:NoppadolPaothong
A 400-eaglewinterday is not out of the question at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Missouri,anImportant Bird Areaformerly known as Squaw Creek. Visit in November or December and you might see something even more impressive: Paothong’sbest day thereincluded 1.2millionSnow Geese,based onaerial estimates byrefuge staff. Eagles hunting geese make for some dramatic shots, especially if you can get the bluffs in the background,and there are plenty ofprimeplaces to set up, including a 12.5-mile auto loop and several viewing platforms.If you can still feel your fingers and toes, stick around forasunsetmirrored inthe wetlands of the Missouri River floodplain. “It’s just spectacular when you get that reflection,”Paothongsays.
The Spot: Skagit River, Washington
The Photographer: Bonnie Block
Spawning salmon make easy meals for BaldEagles. That’s why Blockloves to catch a ride in Rockport, Washington with, which caters to camera-wielding eagle nuts. (They even run an annual eagle photo contest.)December trips book fast, and for good reason. You might see 200 or more Bald Eagles feasting on chum salmon or roosting riverside during a three-hour float. The $75 trip includes a propane heater in front of each seat, but you’ll still need warm winter clothes to keep off the chill. Sunny days might bepleasant, but thatclassic Pacific Northwest gloom also has its advantages, according to Block—the birds tend to stick closer to the ground. "Bad weather makes for good images,” shesays.