Miami To The Dry Tortugas Tour: Pt. I

What has become an annual trip through Miami and the Florida Keys with Tom Obrock is always greatly anticipated for the wildlife that can be hit or miss.

The Brown Bisilisk above (image 1) was photographed at Chapel Trail (Sheridan Street Mitigation Bank) in May 2015.

Our ultimate destination which was Dry Tortugas National Park would be my second visit there. Although an unexpected delay was disruptive to our original plans, Tom and I were able to make a very rewarding multi-day journey which offered observation of several new wildlife species for me.

The Brown Bisilisk above (image 2) was photographed at Chapel Trail (Sheridan Street Mitigation Bank) in May 2015.

The Gray-headed Swamphen above (image 3) was photographed at Chapel Trail (Sheridan Street Mitigation Bank) in May 2015.

The Gray-headed Swamphen above (image 4) was photographed at Chapel Trail (Sheridan Street Mitigation Bank) in May 2015.

The Gray-headed Swamphen above (image 5) was photographed at Chapel Trail (Sheridan Street Mitigation Bank) in May 2015.

The Red-whiskered Bulbul above (image 6) was photographed near Baptist Hospital of Miami in May 2015.

The first stop was Chapel Trail (Sheridan Street Mitigation Bank) where Tom was assured that Gray-headed Swamphen would be seen. Sure enough a handful of the species were observed foraging only to disappear into their habitat. The next target species was Red-whiskered Bulbul which had been a fail on previous trips.

The Mitred Parakeet above (image 7) was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in May 2015.

The Mitred Parakeet above (image 8) was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in May 2015.

The Mitred Parakeet above (image 9) was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in May 2015.

The Mitred Parakeet above (image 10) was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in May 2015.

The Tricolored Heron above (image 11) was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in May 2015.

The wildlife activity at the Baptist Hospital of Miami was expected and enjoyable to observe. This venue should not be confused with West Kendall Baptist Hospital, the latter of which significantly lacks wildlife in comparison.

The domestic Mallard x domestic Muscovy Duck hybrid above (image 12) was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in May 2015.

The Green Heron above (image 13) was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in May 2015.

The Spotted Sandpiper above (image 14) was photographed at Everglades National Park in May 2015.

The Osprey above (image 15) was photographed at Everglades National Park in May 2015.

The Prairie Warbler above (image 16) was photographed at Everglades National Park in May 2015.

As a primary objective, we made a trip into Everglades National Park for a sighting of White-tailed Kite. This uncommonly seen species eluded us. To end observations for our first day of the trip, Tom got a good look at a Shiny Cowbird at Flamingo which would become a rare bird alert with its reporting to eBird.

The scene above (image 17) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

The Mystic above (image 18) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

The yoga enthusiast above (image 19) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

The Monk Skipper above (image 20) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker above (image 21) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

Day two involved an early arrival at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park in Key West. This park is a magnet for warblers in migration and has hosted an Antillean Short-eared Owl and Bahama Mockingbird in recent years.

The aircraft above (image 22) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

The Gray Kingbird above (image 23) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

The Green Iguana above (image 24) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

The Magnificent Frigatebird above (image 25) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

The watercraft above (image 26) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

Walking the trails at the south end of the fort offered deep shade for comfortable observations of an American Redstart. I was unable to capture an image of the bird even with a very diligent effort.

The Brown Pelican above (image 27) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

The Brown Pelican above (image 28) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

The sailboat above (image 29) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

The Barn Swallow above (image 30) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

The juvenile Bald Eagle above (image 31) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

In what is becoming many years of wildlife observation, I had not before seen a Laughing Gull harassing a Bald Eagle. This was a very aggressive and relentless effort on the part of the gull.

The juvenile Bald Eagle above (image 32) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

The juvenile Bald Eagle harassed by Laughing Gull above (image 33) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

The juvenile Bald Eagle harassed by Laughing Gull above (image 34) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

Be sure to see Tom's first report of our trip.

The juvenile Bald Eagle harassed by Laughing Gull above (image 35) was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in May 2015.

Addendum: A Glaucous Gull loses to a Bald Eagle as reported by "The Blaze Science." Additionally described as once in a lifetime.

Please also see Miami To The Dry Tortugas Tour: Pt. II
Please also see Miami To The Dry Tortugas Tour: Pt. III