Bill Tuckers Field Journal

To those interested in a tour or workshop in the 2009 – 2010 nesting season you will be glad to know I have decided to keep my rates the same as last year. This is mostly due to the price of gas remaining fairly stable.

The bad news is if you want a tour around the prime times of February and March I suggest you book early to secure your dates. This coming season I expect to be available less for workshops and tours due to traveling more for my own photographic desires. I have all ready been traveling more this fall due to our quiet hurricane season and have a number of things planned through the spring 2010.

Rest assured I will still do my best to accommodate last requests for local tours.

I have had a number of inquiries in regards to tours in the Dry Tortugas and when is the best time. Generally February through May are your peak times for nesting birds and if there is serious interest I will try to make one three day trip happen during each of those months with the possibility of a second trip right after the first. The second trip is very weather dependant as I will need to return be able to Key West between trips to re-stock and re-fuel, not to mention a shower. It is just not possible that I can remain in the Tortugas for time needed for two back-to-back groups and not run out of fuel.

I have space for one person for a three-day trip to the Dry Tortugas in mid to late November. Ideally participant should be semi-local with a flexible schedule. The other participant is local and we are going to pick the dates around the weather at that time.

Subjects at this time of year will mostly be Masked & Brown Booby (rare chance for a Red Foooted Booby) and Magnificent Frigatebirds.  These species should be courting and the Frigatebirds should be starting to nest then. Various species of raptors (Sharpshinned and Broad-winged Hawks, Merlins, and Peregrine Falcons) as well as Warblers and songbirds should all be possible as fall migration will still be in progress.  The Dry Tortugas is right in the middle of the principal flyway from the United States to Cuba and South America.

Bill Tucker Photography will be offering photography tours in the Dry Tortugas starting with the 2009-2010 nesting season. Exact details and costs are still being finalized. Below is a summary:

Tours will normally run for 3 days and will be for no more than two participants. All tours, of course, will be weather permitting. Participants must realize that living conditions in the Dry Tortugas are very primitive, no electric or running water. You will need to bring everything (including water) that you will need for your visit food, camping equipment, photography gear, clothing, etc.

Participants will take one of the available ferries from Key West to the Dry Tortugas making arraignments with them to be dropped off for a camping stay. They will normally arrive around 11am at which time you will meet Bill at Fort Jefferson. We will set up camp and get settled in.

Most photography will take place from Bill’s boat at various islands within the park. All the nesting islands are closed meaning we will be photographing from the boat the entire time. It should be noted some of the islands are very small and even if we could enter it would do us no good, as we would just disturb the birds causing them to leave. Many photographic opportunities also exist at Fort Jefferson.

The most common species we will find in the Tortugas are Masked Boobies, Brown Boobies, Magnificent Frigatebird, Sooty Terns, and Black Noddy Terns. Depending on the time of year all these species nest in the Tortugas. Other species of birds are always possible.

More details comming soon.  If intertesed please contact us with dates that you are interested in.