SEVENSEAS Marine Conservation & Travel Issue 18, November 2016 | Page 62

interrupted only by the occasional nurse shark or bonefish breaking the surface of the shallow flats with their tails. If you find yourself onshore for the sunset of a cloudless day, there is an incredible spectacle to see, often accompanied by someone on the moat wall exclaiming that they just saw “the green flash.” On cloudier days, elaborate colors and patterns are projected into the sky as the sun is sinking, each night its own unique display of Mother Nature.   

By now, the unremitting sun has retired and the tarpon are just beginning to feed. They can be seen rolling silently in the remaining reflections.  Large schools of tarpon linger around both sets of coal docks during the day and throughout the adjacent deep-water harbors at night. It’s impossible to grow tired of snorkeling with these prehistoric giants as they carve their way through the thousands of baitfish that also seek refuge in the coal docks. Groups of campers voyage to the Dry Tortugas annually just to experience the thrill of fishing for six-foot tarpon from a kayak. However, sunsets and jumping tarpon are just the start of what’s to see, as the Dry Tortugas night sky is the darkest spot on the United State’s East coast. Fort Jefferson’s most famous prisoner, Dr. Samual Mudd once said, “the only escape from the hell of this prison was gazing at the night skies.” Of course, Mudd didn’t own a SCUBA mask. Unscathed by any light pollution, the stars over Fort Jefferson provide the same solace that they once did for civil war soldiers, slaves, and prisoners. And, if the many claims of ghosts at Fort Jefferson hold true, you’re likely to be gazing at those stars with more than one spirit from the 1800s.

Photo Captions:

The Dry Tortugas’ largest island, Garden Key, home to Fort Jefferson.

Views from the west side of Loggerhead Key, 3 nautical miles from Garden Key.

A curious Red Grouper approaches a diver over an extensive field of coral.

Fort Jefferson’s courtyard observed from the top of its brick walls.

A conspicuous parrotfish takes shelter for the night.

The inside glimpse at a migrant boat that found its way to the shores of the Dry Tortugas.

A walkway to Little Africa, an unbeatable snorkeling site off the west side of Loggerhead Key.

Loggerhead Key, known for having an impressive number of loggerhead sea turtle nests and providing an impressive view from Garden Key at dusk.

A typical summer’s sunset from the moat wall of Fort Jefferson.

A night snorkel’s faceoff with a fearless squid.

Under the calm Caribbean waters by Fort Jefferson, an octopus and crab fight to the death.

5-foot tarpon glide in the shallow waters surrounding Fort Jefferson.

A colony of Elkhorn Coral releases its eggs in Dry Tortugas National Park’s coral sanctuary.

Over 4,500 Noddy Terns can be seen nesting on Garden Key.

A basket starfish climbs to the top of a seafan to feed at night.

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