Cover Photo: Some people make the journey to Dry Tortugas National Park for the nature; some come here for the history. This photo sums up both aspects of the park. In the foreground, perched in a tree is a merlin; in the background, the Garden Key Light, aka Tortuga Harbor Light. The island is a major stop for migrating birds, raptors especially in the fall. The first structures built in the islands were lighthouses and supporting structures. Work started on the first Garden Key Light in 1824 and completed in 1826. Over the years, it was variously destroyed by storms or torn down and replaced until the current structure, made of boilerplate iron and 70 feet tall, went up atop on of Fort Jefferson's bastions in 1876. The light was deactivated in 1924. Click on the photos below for full-sized images and detailed descriptions.
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Long Key: A Frigatebird Refuge 
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A Fortress, An Island, An Ocean 
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Loggerhead Key, Another View 
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Bush Key: Sooty Terns and Brown Boobies 
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The North Coaling Dock 
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The Parade Ground 
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Loggerhead Key at Sunset 
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Fort Jefferson and Garden Key 
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Bush Key: Another View 
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Atop Fort Jefferson 
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