Dry Turtugas Photography

[Layton E Parham]

Any tips for bird photography. What opportunities to expect? Which lenses should I carry? Traveling to Dry Tortugas mid March. Thank you in advance!

[David Gancarz]

I've been there exactly once in 1970 on an ornithology field trip with the late Professor Oscar Owre of the University of Miami. Over 40 years ago but still memorable. You could see the lights of Havana on the night boat trip from Key West. In spring the migrating birds come across the Florida straits and Dry Tortugas is the first land they reach. They are exhausted and are easily approachable. Lots and lots of passerine species. Hawks on the fort walls have easy pickings. Frigate birds hover on the updrafts at the fort walls, maybe 20 feet from the top. I was not a photographer in those days, but if I were to return I'd think a 70-200 would produce many great photos. For the bird colony on Bird Key you might want something longer. Have a great trip!