The Underrated Destination In Maryland Where You Can Watch Bald Eagles Soar

Nature is all around us here in Maryland. Yet sometimes, spotting wildlife can feel a bit elusive, especially if you're out on a hiking trail or nature preserve. Yet, if you know where to look, you'll be amazed by how many majestic creatures present themselves to us on a daily basis. One prime example -- and one that's very unexpected -- is the Conowingo Dam. Located on the lower Susquehanna River, this large hydroelectric dam also doubles as a popular flyover spot for bald eagles migrating from Canada and New York. Here's more on this underrated destination in Maryland where you can watch bald eagles soar.

The beautiful Susquehanna is famous for being the longest river on the East Coast.

What you may not have known, however, is that there's a section just below the Conowingo Dam that happens to be the best spot east of the Mississippi River for spotting bald eagles.

Dozens of bald eagles have made Susquehanna State Park their permanent home, building nests that weigh up to 1,000 pounds in the areas nearby.

And, from November through January, upwards of 200 additional bald eagles fly down from New York and Canada, where rivers and lakes have typically frozen up, limiting fishing opportunities for these giant birds.

So what makes the dam itself such an appealing place for eagles? The turbines sometimes kill the fish swimming downriver, which makes hunting opportunities easy for the eagles.

Eagles can spot these floating fish and dive at a speed of 100 MPH to catch their prey.

So the next time you're craving a healthy dose of wildlife in the most unexpected setting, a trip to the Conowingo Dam is definitely in order.

Have you ever visited the Conowingo Dam to see the majestic bald eagles there? What did you think? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below -- we would love to hear from you! If you're curious to learn more about these birds, we'd recommend checking out The Bald Eagle: The Improbable Journey of America's Bird.