My 10 June 2014 visit to
Dry Tortugas National Park was extremely enjoyable even considering the diminished numbers of bird species seen in the wake of Spring migration.
The Yankee Freedom III above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The series of images of Magnificent Frigatebird included here were captured from the top of Fort Jefferson. A very poor combination of camera settings were in play as the action unfolded (a high exposure compensation, f/7.1, and ISO 500).
The Tarpon above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The facade of Fort Jefferson above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The facade of Fort Jefferson above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The very quick action unfolding before me was immensely exciting, but was captured poorly with relatively slow shutter speeds that blurred the subjects beyond recovery in many instances.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The massive numbers of Brown Noddy and Sooty Tern nesting on Bush Key observed toward every direction kept my mind off the absence of
warblers.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
Prior to making this first trip to Fort Jefferson at Garden Key, I had last seen a
Sooty Tern on the far side of the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean on 21 July 2013.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
A
Brown Noddy was personally previously observed at
Lovers Key State Park on 19 September 2008 in the company of perhaps a thousand terns which made for a very striking contrast.
The Yankee Freedom III above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The scene above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The scene above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The scene above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
My research of Sooty Tern has led to the understanding that a Sooty Tern fledged at Bush Key in the Dry Tortugas will not be expected to return to this nesting area for five years.
Mate Ryan Grandcourt above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Sooty Tern above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Yankee Freedom III above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Brown Noddy above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
With unlimited time, one could spend many hours exploring Fort Jefferson itself which is remarkable for its architecture and history. Be on the lookout for birds that may be within or on the structure.
The North Coaling Station ruins above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Brown Noddy above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Sooty Tern above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Sooty Tern above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
While exploring Garden Key I thought of my failed trips to
Fort De Soto Park in an attempt to observe a Brown Booby in late summer 2013. I was rewarded with a very close-up view of the species as the Yankee Freedom III sped away from Fort Jefferson.
The Sooty Tern above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The juvenile Sooty Tern above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Royal Tern above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
The Fort Jefferson Lighthouse above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
There are numerous travel options to get to Dry Tortugas National Park with a trip aboard the
Yankee Freedom III very highly recommended. Overnight camping is strongly advised as well.
Fort Jefferson above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
Fort Jefferson above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
An Antillean Nighthawk was heard above the motel in Vaca Key to end the day with more to experience along the journey home.
The Brown Booby with Brown Noddy above was photographed at Garden Key in June 2014.
Please also see:
Miami And Florida Keys June Wildlife Tour Part I
Please also see:
Miami And Florida Keys June Wildlife Tour Part II
Please also see:
Miami And Florida Keys June Wildlife Tour Part III
No comments:
Post a Comment