Memorial Day Mill Dam Lake Weekend. Day 2. Silver River

Photos from the deck, 7:20 am. Not the monkey, that came later.

I was up when, rumor has it, the sun rose. But, it was foggy at 6:30 am.  Fixed my usual hearty steak and potato breakfast and headed to Ray's Wayside.

 On the canal to the Silver River at 7:58

On the River, paddling up stream, 8:03

 Another 13 minitues before the first animal photo.   Things sood picked up

Prothonotary warbler

 Deer. One of two.  I moved in for a better view, they ran off..

Pig

The pig family was just up River from the deer, on the opposite bank.  In my experience, pigs usually run when they sense people. Or, at least this people.  Not this family.

 I think the sow was too intent on feeding herself, and her piglets.

An excellent morning for wood duck viewing

Just before the Silver River State Park launch, two guys coming down River in a canoe told me they saw monkeys about a half hour up stream.   On the left.   I did not ask the essential questions. Whose left? Whose pace?   I figured if the monkeys stayed where they were, they might be near the Park overlook.

 If not for three canoes in to emergent vegetation just past the overlook, I may have missed the monkeys.  Th e paddlers left as I arrived.  I went in for a closer look.  At first, all I saw was the little guy above

Soon, more monkeys became visible

A dozen, or so rhesus monkeys

Good to see them after a monkeyless last visit to the Silver River

Memorial Day, Mill Dam Lake Weekend. Day One, Alexander Creek

And, Spring.  The title was long enough.

I worked a half day today.  Got on the road about 12:35, on the water at 2:30.  As I paid the $5.50  day use fee at the Alexander Springs Recreation Area, the attendant told me I could not go in the spring as trappers were removing an alligator

I  assume the one that caused concern was not inflatable. The live one must have been caught, as people were in the Spring swimming area.

I headed down Alexander Creek

 I frequently see a bald eagle on this tree.  Just vultures today.

Turtles were skittish.  I'd estimate for every one I got a photo of, four slid into the Creek.  Which, after one canoe near the launch, I had to myself.

Turned around at 3:50.  At the point where a few modest homes appear on the right bank.'

 Green heron

 Took the vulture photo just in case it was an eagle.  At a distance, it is had to tell.  For me.

One of the two gators I saw on the way down Creek

 Motors are rare on Alexander Creek, even where they are permitted.

 Almost picked the above photo for the coveted opening position.

 Landed at 5:15

This is not where I am staying.

 The path from Creek to parking takes you past an Indian Mound

Kayak on car, time to snorkel

No swimming past the buoy.   I turned around. After biting down the wrong way on my snorkel, resulting in a mask full of water.  Causing be to miss a photo of a big snapping turtle.  Its dusty wake is below

No visit to Alexander Springs  is complete without a walk on the Timucuan Trail

 Usually I go out on the boardwalk along the Creek, back on the path through the forest

Board walks over areas that get wet and little spring runs

Sabal palm. State Tree.

 If the canoe were yellow, and in Wisconsin, circa 1972, the kid in back could be me.  Detail on an info kiosk.  Left the Rec Area at 7

8, car unpacked, time to take a few sunset pics at Mill Dam Lake

Last photo is looking northeast.  This cabin has more amenities than the one I was in five weeks ago.  Central air, oven, outdoor grill, a full menu of cable channels, and a can opener