Miami To The Dry Tortugas Tour: Pt. III

The time passes much too quickly when visiting Dry Tortugas National Park via the Yankee Freedom III.

The juvenile Sooty Tern above (image 1) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The solution for this is overnight camping which is offered as an option while visiting Fort Jefferson. I will be acquiring a tent in the near future.

The Sooty Tern above (image 2) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The juvenile Sooty Tern above (image 3) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The Sooty Tern above (image 4) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The Sooty Tern above (image 5) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The Magnificent Frigatebird above (image 6) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The Sooty Terns significantly outnumbered the Brown Noddies that nest on Bush Key and Long Key which at the moment has a land bridge to Garden Key on which Fort Jefferson was built. One may have great delight in attempting to photograph these birds that are in constant motion around you through the summer season.

The juvenile Sooty Tern above (image 7) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The juvenile Sooty Tern above (image 8) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The juvenile Sooty Tern above (image 9) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The juvenile Sooty Tern above (image 10) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The juvenile Sooty Tern above (image 11) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

In reflection, I have a regret in not being more mobile in exploring the grounds of the Park. The few observation points I had were more than gratifying, however. I was pleased that fellow traveler Tom Obrock got a great shot of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo which I could not.

The Brown Pelican above (image 12) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The male Magnificent Frigatebird above (image 13) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The Brown Noddy above (image 14) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The Sooty Tern above (image 15) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The Gray Kingbird above (image 16) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

After the return to Key West, Tom and I had unusually good weather while making stops along the way back to Florida City. Our first was at Big Pine Key which offered a family of Key Deer. We had passed a representative of the endangered species in the median of the Overseas Highway pre-sunrise on the way to the ferry.

The scene above (image 17) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The photographer above (image 18) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The scene above (image 19) was photographed at Garden Key in May 2015.

The Key Deer above (image 20) was photographed at No Name Key in May 2015.

The Key Deer above (image 21) was photographed at No Name Key in May 2015.

The last stop of the day was at Florida Keys Marathon Airport with the hope of observing Antillean Nighthawks near sunset. A bonus species seen here was brought to our attention by fellow wildlife observers that found a very late migrating Bobolink.

The Key Deer above (image 22) was photographed at No Name Key in May 2015.

The Antillean Nighthawk above (image 23) was photographed at Florida Keys Marathon Airport in May 2015.

The Bobolink above (image 24) was photographed at Florida Keys Marathon Airport in May 2015.

The Bobolink above (image 25) was photographed at Florida Keys Marathon Airport in May 2015.

The immature White Ibis above (image 26) was photographed at the University of Miami in May 2015.

The final day of our travels included a first stop at the University of Miami with hopes of observing all the parrots and parakeets the city has to offer. Well, we got a lifer for both of us with Scaly-headed Parrot. This species is not countable, and in fact is not even mentioned in my Sibley (eighth edition of the original) or Peterson guides.

The Green Anole above (image 27) was photographed at the University of Miami in May 2015.

The Muscovy Duck chicks above (image 28) were photographed at the University of Miami in May 2015.

The Green Heron above (image 29) was photographed at the University of Miami in May 2015.

The Common Gallinule above (image 30) was photographed at the University of Miami in May 2015.

The Hill Myna above (image 31) was photographed at the University of Miami in May 2015.

A pair of Hill Myna were very enjoyable to observe on the university campus. There was evidence of a Mourning Dove having dominance over the parrots while driving one from its perch.

The Hill Myna above (image 32) was photographed at the University of Miami in May 2015.

The Hill Myna above (image 33) was photographed at the University of Miami in May 2015.

The Hill Myna above (image 34) was photographed at the University of Miami in May 2015.

The Scaly-headed Parrot above (image 35) was photographed at the University of Miami in May 2015.

The Scaly-headed Parrot above (image 36) was photographed at the University of Miami in May 2015.

Dozens of other parrot species remained elusive at the University of Miami this day while Tom photographed the White-winged Parakeet (which may be in decline) as well as Red-masked Parakeet.

The Scaly-headed Parrot above (image 37) was photographed at the University of Miami in May 2015.

The Scaly-headed Parrot above (image 38) was photographed at the University of Miami in May 2015.

The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above (image 39) was photographed at the University of Miami in May 2015.

Our last stop before the ride back to Fort Myers was to investigate the Cave Swallow site at SW 72 St and Snapper Creek Drive in Kendall. The Cave Swallows have become proven to be very reliably seen here.

The Mitred Parakeet above (image 40) was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in May 2015.

The Mitred Parakeet above (image 41) was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in May 2015.

A last visit on the trip was made to Baptist Hospital of Miami where an Egyptian Goose was observed. Upon closer inspection there was another goose which was likely the mate, seen in a cavity at the water's edge. There may have been a nesting event happening there.

The Mitred Parakeet above (image 42) was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in May 2015.

The Egyptian Goose above (image 43) was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in May 2015.

If you haven't made this trip, what are you waiting for?

The Common Gallinule above (image 44) was photographed in Kendall in May 2015.

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