8 replies to this topic

[Davis Bruce]

This was taken 4/6 on the Dry Tortugas, FL. I have a Gray Kingbird, but not an Eastern Kingbird yet. Looks like a slam dunk, but as always with a new bird, I like to get confirmation.

[BarnSwallow]

Slam dunk! The white tip on the tail is pretty diagnostic.

[Callie Cat]

I second the ID for this one.

[Liam]

Funny that you'd get a Gray Kingbird before an Eastern.

[Davis Bruce]

Thanks all.

Liam, I take 'em when I can get 'em. What's funny is I kept trying to make the Gray an Eastern when I saw it and everyone set me straight.

[sgmfla]

Dry Tortugas!!! My dream! Did you go on your own? or with a group? can you provide any suggestions about going there?

[lyceel]

Second on the Eastern, and second on the desire to go to the Tortugas!

[Davis Bruce]

OK, both of you guys are in FL, so this is doable. We went down to Key West for two days (One trip to the Dry Tortugas) and it was my best two days birding. I came awy with 15 new birds. Unless you have your own boat or rent a boat to take you, going as a group is the only way you can go. It is expensive going, but well worth the trip depending on when you go. We decided to go because there was breeding on one of the close islands and the hope for catching a few migrating birds. Unless you camp there, you only get about 4 hours on the island no matter how you come over. The Magnificant Frigatebirds were worth alone for me, but there is so much to see as far as birds. A powerful lens is important though. Also, if you get sea sick, take the plane. If you decide to camp there, it is primative. No electricity, no water. We enjoyed talking to someone who camped there for a few days on our trip back to Key West. They had some major storms pass through and spent time in the fort in the middle of the night when the storms went through. Didn't sound to comfy.

[lyceel]

Oh, I'm definitely going to make the trip soon (within the next couple of years). I just haven't gotten to it yet