Myakka River State Park

The deer family is from Saturday. Photos below are from a rainy arrival at Myakka River State Park, Friday, after work.

No kayaking today.

 Driving on the Park Road

At the (closed) concession

 This was still closed in February, 2017

Birdwalk was, and is, open

Time to check into my cabin. This was a last minute trip.  Checking out the State Park website a couple days before, I saw a cabin was available.  Usually, the 5 cabins need to be reserved months in advance.  I was fortunate enough to get one for the weekend.

 Saturday morning

I was not hit by the deer. Trying to get a better pic.

 Canopy walkway

Back at the cabin

Hawk out back

 Cabin tour

On the water

 Black bellied whistling ducks

Headed down the Myakka River from near the Park Road bridge

Into the Wilderness Preserve

 This is where I saw the deer in the opening photo.  On Lower Myakka Lake

Deep Hole, south end of Lower Myakka Lake

 Head back across Lower Myakka Lake

High summer water levels allowed me to get closer to the shore.

5 hour paddle

To the concession for wifi

And, beer.

 Late afternoon paddle at Turtle Beach

Back to the cabin