The 18-Hour Shift: A Mid-atlantic Daytrip Chasing Conowingo’s Eagles and Longwood’s Holiday Glow

Written By Don Mennig
Chasing Conowingo’s Eagles and Longwood Gardens Christmas Holiday Glow

There are days when you want to capture the world exactly as it is—raw, unscripted, and a little bit wild. And there are days when you want to capture the world as we wish it could be—curated, glowing, and perfectly composed.

Then, there are the ambitious days where you decide to do both.

I recently completed a "sunrise to starlight" day trip that’s perfect for those in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It was an incredibly rewarding and completely full day that challenged me with two different photographic disciplines: wildlife (birds in flight) and landscapes.

The challenges? Start the day by tracking the predatory speed of Bald Eagles at the Conowingo Dam in Maryland, and end it by capturing the jewel-toned glow of Christmas at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania.

I’ll be honest, it was a long day. My hands were frozen, my feet were tired, but my memory cards were full, and the images were totally worth it.

Here is how you can replicate this day of contrasts.

Part 1: Morning “Rush Hour” at Conowingo

My alarm went off well before dawn, but if you want the birds, it’s best to beat the sun! I arrived at Fisherman’s Park (on the Harford County side of the dam) just as sunrise turned the sky marvelous shades of purple and orange.

Conowingo Dam is legendary among wildlife photographers for a reason. From late November through early to mid-January, hundreds of Bald Eagles gather just downstream on the Susquehanna River. Let’s be clear, this isn’t a kids’ petting zoo; it’s a gladiatorial arena with eagles fishing and fighting each other for scraps. Some days you’ll see dozens of fishing episodes. One day, I saw 100 in an hour! But how can one section of a river support a veritable bird buffet?

The dam.

Fish swimming downstream through the complex end up shooting through the dam’s turbines, and many emerge dazed and confused. The floating fish don’t stand much of a chance against such skilled hunters, and the shad, crappie, catfish, and more all become part of an incredible wildlife show that you might expect to see narrated on TV by David Attenborough.

The Location (see map below): In the morning, the sun rises downstream of the dam, and its path throughout the day is above and behind photographers. The birds dot the trees on Rowland Island (off limits), line the rocks across the river, and perch on multiple electrical towers directly in front of photographers.

Photographers shoot from a couple of locations, each with different opportunities and challenges.

  • Rocky Bank - located across from the island. Plusses: Any eagle activity in the immediate river will be closer to you. Shots in the AM can be stunningly backlit. Negatives: It’s a tricky walk. Early-morning light is a challenge (sunrise to your right, with a dark island in the background).

  • Nikon Alley - slightly closer to the dam, elevated above the rocky shoreline. Plusses: Good view of close river shots. Access to the dam area shots with a longer lens. Lots of folks are acting as spotters and offering advice. Access to your car and porta-potties. Negatives: Same shot sorries - there will be a dozen or more photographers lined up here. You might get “Lenvy”. You’re going to feel the need to upgrade your glass if you stay here too long as the level of gear here is impressive. Also, it’s not the place to stand if you’re looking for solitude.

  • Canon Cliffs - 50+ yards closer to the dam and lower to the water. Plusses: Good view of the river and the far banks. A good number of photographers and spotters. Close to the dam with a decent number of fishing episodes. Being near the water level delivers some amazing action shots. Negatives: Too far for most island channel shots. You’ll see lots of action here - most of it too far away for your gear!

  • Sony Shores - the shoreline closest to the dam below the Canon Wall. Plusses: water level access for action shots. Solitude and space. Negatives: not as many opportunities for action shots.

Common locations for photographing Conowingo Dam

The Setup: You need a lens with reach at Conowingo dam. Most of the eagles set up on the far side of the river on the rocks (3 - below), and you’ll need a minimum of 800mm to get any detail across the pond, so to speak. But they will come closer and soar overhead to the trees and hills behind you. Then, a 400mm or even a 70-200mm will suffice. If the generators close to the shoreline are on, it’s game on for potential close-up fishing, and 400mm will also get you great action shots!

  • Pro Tip: When I first started photographing the eagles fishing, my ‘point of contact’ images were blurry. The frames before and after were tack sharp, but the blasted *most important images were a dismal failure. Finally, I put down the lens and studied the event. Here’s what I saw. Right before an eagle drives its talons into the water, it slows up to ensure the catch. My mistake? I kept panning as if the bird were a plane or a race car, keeping the same pace. Once I started taking a slight pause at impact, my images improved.

Common locations of eagles and detail of Conowingo Dam

  • I’ve been shooting with a Z9 (1.4TC engaged) and a stacked 1.4TC to achieve 780mm reach. I shoot at 20 fps and spend most of my time in AF Full/Bird mode. In my experience, it’s best to push your ISO and keep shutter speed high—at least 1/2000th of a second. I’ve started pushing to 3,200 or 4,000 whenever possible. Eagles pivot quickly in the air, and when they dive for a Shad stunned by the dam’s turbines, the action is explosive.

  • Assuming you arrive after the 3rd week of November, you’ll likely see large numbers of eagles, and most likely witness them fishing. There are 12 pair of ‘resident’ eagles so seeing eagles up and down the Susquehanna River in this area year round is common.

  • Great Blue Herons are stationed on the rocks and island below the dam like prehistoric sentinels. Double-crested cormorants skim the water like well-thrown skipping stones, seagulls flock the dam opening, and black vultures kettle in the sky. While the eagles are the stars of the show, take a few moments to watch and photograph some of their less popular brethren - they are beautiful as well.

  • There are numerous porta-potties, and that’s about it. Conowingo Pizza, located about 1.5 miles away, will deliver onsite. Additionally, Royal Farms (located right nearby Conowingo Pizza has coffee, food, gas, and warm/clean bathrooms.

  • To find out about generator and dam conditions, along with access to the park due to weather, call the Conowingo dam hotline at 1-888-457-4076

Map of Conowingo Dam area and directions into Fisherman’s Park / eagle viewing & photographing

Part 2: The Bridge to More Beauty

By 1:00 PM, you’ll likely be hungry, need to use the restroom, and warm up. Your next destination is about 40 minutes away, so it’s time to pack up and trade the river for the road.

  • Pro Tip - leave yourself an extra 15 minutes to photograph eagles in the trees on the way out. At this point in the day, the sun is illuminating the trees behind where you were just shooting. Stop at the boat ramp, check out the south end of the island, and then check the trees for perched or snacking eagles.

NOTE: The drive from Conowingo Dam to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square is an easy straight shot up Route 1, taking you through Rising Sun, MD, and Oxford, PA. Along the way, you’ll find multiple gas stations, restaurants, fast-food locations, and more.

Decorations from A Gilded Gala in the Music Room at the Longwood Gardens Christmas display

Part 3: Scouting Longwood Gardens

I pulled into Longwood Gardens at 2:30 PM. The timing was strategic, and as a photographer, you should aim for a similar arrival.

The Christmas display is legendary - for good reason - it’s visual magic. Because of its popularity, tickets are timed, and evening arrivals sell out quickly. But that’s 100% okay - because you want to reach the grounds with enough time to walk the paths, figure out the light, and make a plan for when the sun goes down, and the lights go on.

This year’s spectacle is even more special, with totally reinvented gardens and new buildings… aka. “Longwood Reimagined”. Highlights included the new West Conservatory and the beautiful Cascade Garden. The architecture of the West Conservatory alone is worth the price of admission—a floating palace of glass and steel that feels like it defies gravity. Of course, the Main Conservatory still steals the show, and I spent a solid hour there noting angles, rooms, and displays that I wanted to photograph once the sun went down.

Just remember, if you arrive at night, you’re shooting in the dark—literally. Arrive early to scout locations and capture the intricate details of the updated gardens while having natural light.

  • PRO TIP - Grab a fast, early dinner at the restaurant before the rush starts. I’d target 4 pm or so. It gets really busy around 4:30 - 5 pm, and you could spend a solid 30 minutes waiting for food and eating. I recommend the mushroom soup!

Part 4: Evening Transformations

Glowing Globes at Sunset

The magic hour at Longwood isn't midnight; it’s twilight. That 20-minute window when the sky moves from gold to royal blue and the Christmas lights have just clicked on.

Blue Hour and early evening offer promising photo ops, with the sunset behind the Conservatories and the Main Fountain Garden. There are some elevated areas near the Fountain Garden, in particular, that can deliver great shots, and I found some glowing globes that matched the colors of sunset just beautifully.

After you’ve taken advantage of sunset, it’s time to move back indoors. I would suggest photographing the conservatories first.

  • The “Main Conservatory” highlights (designate at least 90 minutes for photos)

    • East Conservatory - based on the flow from the Visitors Center and dining area, you’ll likely enter the main conservatory via the East Conservatory entrance. NOTE: You can get trapped waiting for a photo here, as everyone with an iPhone will stop and take a bazillion shots. IMO, there are better wide-angle photo ops ahead. There are usually some nice detail shots you can grab here. If you happen to get a low-traffic moment, great!

    • Organ room / Ballroom - you’ll hear it before you see it. Beautifully decorated trees and an incredible organ - often with an in-person organist playing. Lots of great detail shots here. Be sure to take a moment and marvel at the sound. It’s truly magnificent.

    • Music Room / Gilded Gala Display - this room gets themed differently every year, and it’s usually my favorite to photograph.

    • Exhibition Hall - There’s a location on the far end of this area, near the Orangery, where you can grab a great wide-angle shot of this area. It’s almost always stunning!

    • The Orangery - wonderful plant details and access to the Acacia Passage.

    • Acacia Passage - this long hall offers spectacular visuals of visitors and decorations. Every year, this delivers one of my top 5 favorite photos from the shoot!

    • Orchid House and Silver Garden - the orchid house offers incredible close-up views of stunning flowers. The Silver Garden is full of cacti and succulents, along with an incredibly cool living wreath (2025 display)

After you’ve taken your photos of the main conservatory, move to the new West Conservatory and Cascade Garden.

  • PRO TIP: The Cascade Garden is VERY narrow and VERY crowded. It’s less than ideal for photos: there are few places to stop, which is VERY painful given all the water features that would look amazing with a 2-3 second exposure.

The Technical Challenge: Here is the reality check: Tripods are not allowed indoors and may be restricted outdoors depending on crowd levels. On a busy Christmas night? You may be shooting handheld. My gear for this shoot included:

  • Z9 and Z8

  • 24-70mm 2.8 and 70-200mm 2.8

  • Remote and trigger

  • Tripod

  • Camera bag

This is where knowing your gear matters. Indoors, I bumped my ISO up (don't be afraid of 4,000 on modern sensors and denoise software) and hunted for stable surfaces—railings, benches, large planters, and walls—to brace myself. I also used my camera bag for low-angle shots, using a remote to capture long exposures and produce some focus stacks.

Part 5: Night Lights

Lights adorn the trees near the visitor center at Longwood Gardens

The grounds at Longwood Gardens are massive - over 1,100 acres! Fortunately, there’s a logical path you can follow that will cover the majority of the outdoor lighting and photo ops. Here’s what I recommend. After you’ve photographed indoors, duck out of the East Conservatory and …

  • Enjoy the lights and musical show at the Main Fountain Garden - they’re located immediately below the Main Conservatory and provide an infinite number of angles and shots while listening to Christmas music.

  • Head back toward the main lighted area for the Illuminated Fountain show at the Open Air Theater (runs every :15 minutes)

  • Continue down the path to the Small Lake Light and Large Lake Light Displays - these areas are best shot with a tripod and offer some amazing reflections and colors

  • Continue to the Italian Water Garden Light Display

  • Wander along the path through the lighted meadow

  • Grab some pics of the Meadown Tunnel Light Display - very social media worthy :)

  • Duck into the Peirce-du Pont House - a beautifully decorated ‘Gilded Age’ style Christmas house

  • Head toward the visitors center and photograph the snowflakes and Visitors Tree

PRO TIP - Longwood Gardens offers a mobile map that is incredbily informative and beneficial when you are onsite!

  • A Longwood Christmas runs from November 21, 2025, through January 11, 2026. The Gardens are open daily from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm. During this period, the display features over 500,000 outdoor lights, festive fountain shows, and meticulously decorated indoor conservatories.ext goes here

  • Yes, timed-entry tickets are required and must be purchased in advance. Because this is the most popular season of the year, tickets frequently sell out weeks ahead of time—especially for weekends and the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Tickets are not sold on-site when a time slot is sold out.

  • The best time to visit for smaller crowds is Monday through Thursday during the first two weeks of December or the first week of January. For the best visual experience, book a 2:00 - 2:30 pm arrival. This allows you to see the indoor conservatory displays in daylight and witness the outdoor lights as they turn on at dusk.

  • For the 2025 season, ticket prices vary by date (Peak vs. Off-Peak). Generally:

    • Adults (19+): $30–$44

    • Youth (5–18): $16–$25

    • Children (4 & under): Free (but still require a timed reservation)

    • Members: Free, but require a timed reservation for every day of the Christmas season.

  • The 2025 theme is "A Gem of a Holiday," featuring gemstone-inspired displays. Visitors can expect to see the Main Conservatory transformed with "gilded gala" décor, featuring sapphire blues, ruby reds, and emerald greens. A highlight includes the West Conservatory, part of the newly opened Longwood Reimagined expansion, featuring floating trees and Mediterranean-inspired holiday flair.

  • Longwood Gardens offers free on-site parking. During peak visitation times, staff will direct you to overflow lots. A free shuttle service is provided from these overflow lots directly to the Visitor Center entrance. Accessible parking is located near the front of the main lot for those with valid permits.

  • Yes, but they are weather-dependent. The Open Air Theatre features 5-minute fountain shows choreographed to holiday music every 15 minutes starting at 12:00 pm. Note that fountains will not run if temperatures drop below freezing. The Main Fountain Garden remains closed for the winter season.

  • There are several dining options available. Get the mushroom soup!

    • The Café: Self-service dining with seasonal soups, sandwiches, and hot cocoa.

    • 1906: A full-service, fine-dining experience (reservations highly recommended).

    • The Beer Garden: Outdoor festive snacks and local brews, often featuring fire pits.

    • The Fountain Room: Offers a "Taste of Christmas" buffet on select dates (requires a separate ticket).

  • Tripods and monopods are permitted in outdoor gardens only. To ensure guest safety and flow, they are prohibited inside all Conservatories and during Illuminated Fountain Performances. If you are using a tripod outdoors, you must be mindful not to block pathways or guest movement. Longwood staff reserves the right to restrict tripod use on high-volume "Peak" days.

  • Any professional, contracted, or special occasion photography requires a paid permit and must be scheduled at least 14 days in advance. This includes engagement, family portrait, and holiday card sessions. For the 2025 season:

    • Permit Fee: Starts at $250 (covers the photographer only; clients need separate tickets).

    • Location: Professional sessions are restricted to outdoor areas only; no professional photography is permitted inside the Conservatories.

  • No, drones and all other remote-controlled aircraft are strictly prohibited at Longwood Gardens. This policy is in place to protect the safety of guests and the integrity of the botanical displays.

  • Yes, Longwood occasionally offers "Open Photography Hours" on select mornings (typically 7:00 am – 10:00 am). These ticketed events allow photographers to capture the Conservatories and gardens with professional gear before the general public arrives. Check the official event calendar for specific dates in December 2025 and January 2026.

Two Worlds, One Day

Driving home, I thought about the contrast. In the morning, I was witnessing nature’s brutal efficiency—talons, cold water, and survival. By evening, I was witnessing human creativity—engineered landscapes, curated lights, and celebration.

Both are beautiful. Both require you to look closely.

If you’d like to see some other favorites from this trip—including the eagle with unreal backlighting — head over to my print shop. I’ve curated a few of my favorites that I think would look incredible on your wall.

Don Mennig
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