Quite a lot of visitors to the Dry Tortugas plan to go snorkeling to see the pretty fish and other underwater things. I was more interested in birding, but while walking along the edge of the moat at Fort Jefferson, I shot down into the water. No fish in the shot, but notice how clear the water was--I liked the play of sunshine below the surface. 4/29/22 www.sparhawkphotography.com
This image shows a small section of Fort Jefferson, which takes up most of Garden Key of the Dry Tortugas. Building of the fort began in 1846, with the purpose of controlling navigation to the Gulf of Mexico, and the Mississippi River trade. It never was completed. During the Civil War the fort served as a Union military prison for captured deserters. It also held 4 men convicted of complicity in President Lincoln's assassination. The Army abandoned the fort in 1874. This view show some of the outer walls, surrounded by the moat, with the Gulf waters beyond. Many visitors come for snorkeling in the clear waters. And, of course, Magnificent Frigatebirds overhead. 4/28/22 www.sparhawkphotography.com
While in Florida, I went birding at a wonderful place, Wakodahatchee Wetlands. I had heard it was a good place to bird, but I had no idea it was a great rookery for Wood Storks--there were a few hundred of them there, including many nests. This image is an example of a nest with baby storks. Other nesting birds there included Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Anhingas. It was a noisy and chaotic place with birds flying all over, feeding, displaying, swimming, wading. I had a great time experiencing close up views of amazing bird life. 4/22/22 www.sparhawkphotography.com
