To me, there are many great birding spots in North America, but there are few that rival the idyllic crystal blue waters of the Dry Tortugas. These small islands are located in the Gulf of Mexico nearly 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. A handful of birds are found more easily here than anywhere else. And I love the white sandy beaches, the warm moist, salty air, and magical blue waters of these beautiful little islands.
I’ve been to the Dry Tortugas several times, but always on the daily charters for snorkelers instead of the birding boat tours that frequent these keys in April. But this time around, I was invited by veteran birder, Wes Biggs, to be a part of one of his Florida Nature Tours boat trips out to the Dry Tortugas in April 2012.
It was a great trip and the birds did not disappoint!
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- This is our boat, the Florida Fish Finder off Loggerhead Key, FL – 2012-04-25 photo by Greg Miller
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- my sleeping quarters aboard the Florida Fish Finder – Dry Tortugas, FL – 2012-04-25 photo by Greg Miller
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- 5 Brown Boobies on buoy en route to Dry Tortugas – 2012-04-25 photo by Greg MIller
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- Brown Booby in flight en route to Dry Tortugas, FL – 2012-04-25
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- Brown Booby on marker en route to Dry Tortugas, FL – 2012-04-25 photo by Greg MIller
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- Magnificent Frigatebirds over Bird Key, Dry Tortugas, FL – 2012-04-25
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- Masked Boobies on Hospital Key, Dry Tortugas, FL – 2012-04-25
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- lighthouse on Loggerhead Key, Dry Tortugas, FL 2012-04-25 (iphone pic) photo by Greg Miller
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- panorama of Loggerhead Key, Dry Tortugas, FL – 2012-04-25
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- panorama 2 Loggerhead Key, Dry Tortugas, FL 2012-04-25 photo by Greg Miller
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- lighthouse on Loggerhead Key, Dry Tortugas, FL – 2012-04-25 photo by Greg Miller
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- Upland Sandpiper on Loggerhead Key, Dry Tortugas, FL – 2012-04-25
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- Black-throated Green Warbler on Loggerhead Key, Dry Tortugas, FL – 2012-04-25 photo by Greg Miller
Wow–great pics Greg! (the last 3 posts). The water color is indeed striking! Love the lighthouse on Loggerhead Key–very inviting! (A little more inviting than your sleeping quarters…)