Some of my favorite subjects are the osprey that inhabit the region during the spring and summer months. If you’ve ever seen an osprey spot a fish from high in the air, dive straight into and under the water and then re-emerge flapping its wings until it is once again airborne you will not soon forget it. I’m always a little sad when the osprey start leaving in the late summer for their long trek to Central and South America, especially knowing they won’t all make it.

Eagles have made an amazing comeback all across the U.S. and the Maryland Eastern Shore is no exception. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge near Cambridge, MD has the largest population of nesting eagles on the east coast outside of Florida.   They are also skilled hunters but are less discriminating than osprey. Not only will they prey on fish and small mammals but they will also steal the spoils from osprey and other birds.

You can’t visit the Delmarva Peninsula without seeing an egret, heron or one of the many other shore birds. They make great photographic subjects because, besides being plentiful, they like to fish in shallow waters and will frequently allow you to get quite close.  This will also present the opportunity to catch a shot as they gracefully launch into the air at a relatively slow speed.