Quick Details
Each fall and winter hundreds of Bald Eagles congregate along the Lower Susquehanna River below Conowingo Dam in Harford County Maryland. This location sets the stage for some of the best eagle in flight opportunities east of the Mississippi River. Along with the eagles hundreds of photographers return each year.
This workshop is an introduction to birds in flight (BIF) photography. Instructor Sean Quintilian will review proper techniques for panning, shutter speed needed, auto-focus tips and fast action photography skills. Time will also be spent reviewing equipment needs that will help nail good sharp images of eagles in flight. Sean will also let you practice with some of his equipment. Participants will have opportunities to photograph eagles in flight, most likely at very close range (within 50 yards). Participants will also leave with a good introduction of skills to continue with birds in flight photography, so they can come back on their own if desired.
This is an outdoor shoot, weather can be very cold in late November, early December. We will be shooting in a valley that is prone to high winds and can trap cold air, as well as having the sun to our backs and standing in the shade most of the workshop (the river will receive good light). Participants should have good warm shoes/boots for standing for 4 hours as well as good gloves and a hat.
A DSLR with a lens in the 300mm range or longer will help on this trip. Please contact the instructor before renting lenses!
This is a half day workshop but the eagles are there all day, so you may want to plan to spend the whole day.
Here is what one safarian had to say about photographing the Bald Eagles:
I participated with the Photo Safari at Conowingo, MD to photograph Eagles! It was a great experience and I learned so much from our Photo mentor, Sean Quintillian. He was very knowledgeable and patient with questions! The Eagles were not as busy on the river as we might have wanted, but the 4 hours spent there with Sean was still very worthwhile. He even demonstrated the best way to use a tripod for shooting the Eagles and gave tips on equipment, etc. Great day! Thanks Sean! Sharon V., Nottingham, PA
-
- Camera
- Long Lenses
- Extra memory cards
- Extra charged battery
- Accessories such as filters
- Weather appropriate clothing
-
Meet at the Park & Ride at I-95 exit 89 in Maryland (Havre de Grace, MD)
-
Since he first bought a used Pentax K1000 in 1989 Sean Quintilian has traveled over much of North America in search of outstanding wildlife and nature photographs. His body of work includes images from 14 U.S. National Parks and dozens of National Wildlife Refuges, with over 100 species of mammals, birds, and reptiles recorded. Sean has spent over 600 days on location over the past 17 years including 20 weeks in Yellowstone National Park alone.
His work has appeared in publications, exhibits and even a CD jacket. His fine art prints have graced the walls of many offices and homes. During the past three years Sean has started a growing portrait and wedding business. Sean lives in Abingdon Maryland with his wife Jessica and daughter Juliana.