In the mangroves of Florida Keys

I’m in Florida on field work in the Keys, snorkelling for marine polyclads (specifically the tiger flatworm Maritigrella crozieri which feeds on the ascidian tunicate or sea squirt, Ecteinascidia turbinata) in the mangroves. It’s hot and sweaty but cooler in the water where it is like swimming in tropical fish tank – with Manatee and Leatherback Turtles! Although I’ve not had a chance to do any proper birding yet, species noted from kayaking in the mangroves or on the drive along the Overseas Highway/US-1 include Brown Pelican, Magnificent Frigatebird, Great White Heron, Reddish Egret, Tricolored Heron, Little Blue Heron, Green Heron, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, White Ibis, Bald Eagle, Willet, Royal Tern, Least Tern, White-winged Dove, Common Ground Dove, White-crowned Pigeon, Mangrove Cuckoo, Burrowing Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Gray Kingbird and Boat-tailed Grackle.

Below are a couple of photographs of an immature Double-crested Cormorant at Keys Marine Lab on Long Key.