One of the reasons I went to Florida was to get out to the Dry Tortugas, a group of keys 70 miles off of Key West. This is a birding destination I have read about for years, and always wanted to go. So I made reservations back in January for April 6th, for a day trip out to Dry Tortugas which is now a National Park. It is the site of Fort Jefferson, an early fort for defense of the Florida coast, and which acted as a prison long ago. A variety of sea birds nest out on the islands, which would not be seen closer to the mainland. It was a wonderful experience, although most of the birds eluded my limited camera's capabilities. I'll post more pics from this trip. 4/25/22 www.sparhawkphotography.com
In Florida there were a wide range of types of reptiles, lizards, anoles, iguanas. One type that made me smile every time I saw one, was the one I call Mr. Curly. I loved the curled-up tail, which also shows here in his shadow. Looking them up, it appears to be an invasive species, related to the iguana. 4/23/22 www.sparhawkphotography.com
Just back from a two and a half week birding trip to Florida. This beautiful Purple Gallinule was photographed on the Anhinga Trail at Royal Palms in the Everglades. It was one of the last photos I took with my favorite old camera, my Canon Rebel, that I have had for a very long time. On the first full day of my trip, out on the boardwalk trail, I was caught in a sudden lightning storm and drenching downpour (from sunshine to drowning in minutes!) I know, I know, about being prepared for rain, and I know about having a back-up camera, but unfortunately the drenching rain ended the life of my old favorite camera. Needless to say, my trip ended up very differently. photographically, from what I had expected and intended. My only backup camera was my little Canon G12--a great little camera, but without the zoom-in ability of my favorite 18-400 lens--essentially a glorified point-and-shoot. So that's what I used for over 2 weeks in a birder's paradise...sigh... Still, I managed to see 81 new species of birds for my year list--better than I had even hoped! I will post a few of them along the way. 4/21/22 www.sparhawkphotography.com
