Snorkeling at Dry Tortugas

We went snorkeling at Dry Tortugas last week, around the pylons that used to be a dock, and off the beach. It was calm out, maybe just 10 knot wind, but that was enough to stir up the sand around the island and decrease the vis. I'm sure that when the vis is better, or if we had swum around to the moat on the northwest wall where the vis might have been better, it could have been amazing. There were lots of small fish on the old dock pilings and it was beautiful. There was a 25" or so mutton snapper on the furthest out piling, and it wasn't at all afraid of us! It's used to being watched but never shot at or having a hook dangled in front of it. Pretty amazing to see how they learn from their environment and adjust accordingly. Out on the reef, we never could have gotten so close to him. Otherwise he would have been dinner!

Birding at Dry Tortugas

After almost two years of living in Key West, and five years of visiting the Keys, we finally made it out to Dry Tortugas. Parents visiting, the perfect time to go. And BONUS: LOCALS' DICOUNT!!! It's half price for locals until mid December I think. That's $75 plus some fees making it closer to $80. Excellent.

Let me just say that the guide was the best ever. I wish I could remember her name because she is so good at her job. She's a scientist, a park ranger I think, and she's hired by Yankee Fleet to tell us about the Dry Tortugas and the wildlife we encounter on the way and while we're there. She loves birds, so she brings a telescope to the fort and sets it up on the beach. There are two smaller islands near the island where Fort Jefferson is located. One had tons of peregrine falcons on it and the other had frigates. She knew all about the plight of various bird species in the area. She pointed out and counted boobies on a nav marker as we approached the fort by boat. She had stories, facts, and anything you wanted to know.