Birds of the Dry Tortugas

Male Magnificent Frigatebird soaring over Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The red throat on this magnificent frigatebird identifies it as a male. Joyce took this picture as the bird used wind currents over Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas to soar on those magnificent wings without having to flap.

 

Brown Pelican flying over Garden Key and Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas

 

 

 

 

This brown pelican was flying over Garden Key and Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas.

Skimmer resting on a piling at Garden Key and Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas

 

 

We took this picture of a black skimmer resting on a piling near Garden Key and Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas.

Brown boobies on a channel marker near Garden Key and Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas

 

 

 

 

 

 

We took this picture as the Yankee Freedom II passed by this channel marker near Garden Key and Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas.

 

 

Female Magnificent Frigatebird soaring over Garden Key and Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas

 

 

 

 

The white throat on this magnificent frigatebird identifies it as a female. Joyce took this picture as the bird used wind currents over Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas to soar on those magnificent wings. We very seldom saw them have to flap those wings.

 

 

 

 

Immature and Female Magnificent Frigatebirds on navigation markers near Garden Key and Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The female magnificent frigate bird is on the right while the immature frigate bird is on tie left.

 

 

I took this picture as we passed this marker on the Yankee Freedom II, the boat that carried us to Garden Key and Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas.

 

 

 

Yankee Freedom II is the ferry to Garden Key and Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park

 

 

 

 

 

Since Garden Key and Fort Jefferson are located in the Dry Tortugas 70-miles west of Key West the only way to get here is by boat or sea plane.

We opted for the "boat" option and took the Yankee Freedom II ferry from Key West to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas.

The 70-mile ride each way on the Yankee Freedom II is a special treat itself.

It takes you past other islands in the Florida Keys chain of islands. However, these islands are not connected to the mainland by bridge. Once you leave Key West Harbor on the Yankee Freedom II you are heading into an area only accessible by boat or sea plane. Thirty miles from Key West the Yankee Freedom II takes you past the Marquesas Keys and thousands of lobster trap buoys and the boats working these lobster traps.

The Yankee Freedom II is the ferry service that transports visitors to Dry Tortugas National Park every day.