Rock Springs Run

As you know, unless you are visiting Dave's Yak Tales for the first time, Rock Springs Run is my favorite and most frequent yaking location. I can now add bald eagle to the deer, bears, otters. alligators, raccoons, pigs and many varieties of birds seen on the Run. I saw the above eagle this morning, Wednesday, February 19, 2009. It was just downstream of the big hollow cypress tree at the three mile mark.


I shoved off at 8 am, a canoer prepared to go out as well. Down the Wekiva to Rock Springs Run. I always feel good getting a "2 for 1" Blue heron and great egret.



Drifting down the Wekiva, I noticed that a fallen tree that required ducking and turning since it toppled during Tropical Storm Fay had been cut away. As I neared the confluence, I heard a horrible sound. An airboat. Moving slowly, but still making a gawdawful racket. Was it coming past the "No Motorized Boats" sign ? I did not find out, as I headed up Rock Springs Run, hearing the noise for several minutes. On my return, there were two airboats in the Wekiva, well upstream of the No Motor zone. They were in an area with a lot of debris, I asked if they were clearing it. They said yes. Funny, I did not see any saws. I don't think the Run needs any clearing. But, I haven't been on it in two weeks. I bet a tourist or two capsized ducking under the tree that was removed.

Up the Run, I got a nice wood duck shot.





Then, nothing until the bald eagle.

The eagle was in a narrow, heavily wooded section of the Run, which made seeing it even more of a surprise. I would have expected a bald eagle in some of the open areas of the Run. But that's why I love Rock Springs Run, after more than 50 visits, it offers new wonders. And old, like two grazing deer.

The deer were on the right bank, just downstream of the Indian Mound Campsite. I was in a great mood, a bald eagle, deer,after seeing none my last visit. Then I saw this.

Some scumbag left trash all over the campsite. Perhaps it was in a black plastic trash bag, but critters, like the raccoon I saw scampering away, have no problem getting that opened. Pressed for time, having to finish in time to get to work, I picked up several beer cans, plastic bags and bottles, from the water and the bank, tossing them in the yak.

I made a small dent. When I landed, I told the guy at the concession about the trash, he called somebody to send a ranger to the campsite. I hope that person was able to get there quickly. The wind was kicking up, and I'm sure a lot of the garbage blew into the Run and around the campsite. What the eff are people thinking when they do this ? Obviously they are not thinking, evil bastards, with no morals whatsoever. But before I lose all faith in humankind, I recall the kayaker, a reader of this site, who has been making a valiant effort to keep the Run clean. And doing a great job. Other then the dump, I saw one other piece of trash. Which I told myself I would try to pick up on the downstream paddle. Of course, I did not see it downstream. Sorry, J. B. And thank you. The guy at the canoe beach mentioned "the young lady wit the picker-upper thing" Your efforts are being noticed.

Just across, and downstream from Indian Mound, two deer feed.

Although on the other side, and a bit up the Run, I think they were the same pair I saw earlier.

I did not see the eagle on the return paddle. Here are a few of the birds I did see.

I saw one alligator. A kayaking couple passed it. I said,"You saw the gator, right ?" "No way !"

Way.

One other canoe on the Wekiva in my three hour trip. I had a nice dip in Wekiwa Spring, shared with one other person.

If you are thinking, Dave, the time you spent swimming could have been spent picking up more trash, you don't have to work with me. The snorkel was my morning shower. Towel off, change, a little deodorant, and off to work. Ten minutes late.