Sea Turtle!

Dry Tortugas National Park

The Tortugas, Spanish for turtles, is a cluster of seven islands… overgrown mangroves on coral reefs really… The isles, like its transient pirate inhabitant, have little integrity yet hoards of treasure hidden just under the surface.

It is an isolated outpost more than 70 nautical miles off the coast of Key West home to pirates, explorers, soldiers, immigrants, prisoners, and now researchers and tourists. It is accessible only by boat or seaplane.

We wish we had taken the later after our voyage out. The swells were wide and deep and the hour and a half trip was stretched into to three. I was starting to dread my decision to take this trip. Luckily the crew was quick to assist those in need. By the time we spotted the fortress on the horizon the entertaining snorkeling instructions and video had turned our attention to coral reefs, rare birds, and tropical fish.

Some opted to tour Fort Jefferson, while others of us headed straight for the beach and to snorkel the coral reefs. Unfortunately the previous days’ storm and the winds kept the waters murky and the fish hidden from view… not to mention that the water temperature was a wee bit chilly for my thin Florida blood. The birders were quite happy. Over 70 species of bird were identified including two from Cuba. No passport required.

Fort Jefferson and its moat all but covers the island but for a small strip of beach, the boat dock, and room for less than a dozen primitive campsites.

Can you imagine the starry constellations at night? I think I would be too excited to sleep.

All in all a good day and another National Park checked off my bucket list!

PS.  Key West was fun too. 

Everglades... a subtle beauty

The Florida Everglades are in the beautiful category… albeit it a subtle beauty… a beauty that is often left behind. It doesn’t have the sweeping beauty of palm trees, white sandy beaches, or tropical hibiscus blooming. You have to look more closely. I knew this already. I came looking for textures and the lighting.

Most visitors are attracted by its reputation rather than its good looks. The attraction is its danger. It has alligators, venomous snakes, and panthers. Of course the Ibis and Herons are really cool too but it is truly the gators and crocks that most people come to see.


They get what they came for… and I got and unexpected treat.


The treat was audible. The everglades began to chatter. Really! As we walked the dogs down the path the clucking, chirping and squawks rose in the air. It seemed to roll over the dense flora fauna that had become a natural border between the everglade wilderness and the safe harbor of our campground.  

A rather large number of birds began to hold court. I imagine them discussing the day’s events.  It must have been an eventful day. It was loud... but sweet. For me it was amazingly soothing. It was more like a collective song. Perhaps it was a concert… Even our dogs ignored them and went about their business. We continued our stroll down the perimeter path and the aviary caucus faded off behind us.


30 minutes later we had circled around to the same spot but the symphony was in repose. A few stray conversations popping up here and there. But for the most part matters of state were settled, chorus was over, and the birds had retired for the evening.


It was an amazing brief moment of beauty.


Peace, Luv, and Song Birds,
 
barbie, ruth, stella, and brando