Dave's Yak Tales

Kayaking, Biking, Camping, Seminole State Forest.

2012-02-05T16:57:00.009-05:00

Last Sunday, I signed off with " Hopefully, I'll see, and photo, a bear." See the black shape? That's a bear. Saturday afternoon from my bike. I did not think I got a photo, but going through the pics to pick which one I'd use for the coveted first photo, there it was.

A few weeks ago, January 19, to be exact, I made an inquiry as to the next Saturday the Moccasin Spring Campsite would be available. The answer, Feb 4, and then not until April. So, I grabbed it. Not a weekend I would have picked, given a choice. Because of the Super Bowl. But, not for the reason you may be thinking. Super Bowl Sunday is a great day to paddle a usually busy location. Which Blackwater Creek is not. I like to come here on summer holidays. Memorial Day, the 4th, Labor Day, to avoid crowds

Locking the gate behind me helps crowd control.

7:18 am. 3.6 miles to the campsite.

Parking is a 100 yards or so from the campsite. A kayak can double as a camping gear cart.

On Blackwater Creek at 8:37

Day use launch area, 8:55

I let the current do most of the work.

Just missed two otters.

The Creek is low, even for winter, but easily paddled.

But, vegetation does cross Blackwater in a few spots, the wide area with the makeshift bench on the left bank, for example. All but one section have narrow passages, the exception is short and easily paddled through.

Its good to have a big brother.

This was going to be the opening photo until I broke out the magnifying glass and saw the bear.

There were several spots with little gators, the last, just before my break spot, reached at 10:40

I ate half a sandwich and a cookie, than continued my trip.

Entering ibis alley.

My first time paddling Blackwater Creek, I wrote:
They confirmed I actually was on the Wekiva, when in response to the question of where I came from, I answered, "Seminole Forest". They asked me about my trip down the Creek, the deadfalls, ect. I was glad I did not have to ask, "ahh, is this the Wekiva?" I thought I was, based on increased width, current, and direction, but it was not like there was a highway sign "Wekiva, Next Left".

But, there is a Blackwater Creek sign.
Not quite a highway sign. There are two entrances to Blackwater Creek from the Wekiva River. If you see this sign, you took the harder one. I was here intentionally, as I’ve often seen a black crowned night heron here. Not today. I turned around, headed for the easier exit.

Into the Wekiva River 11:30. I went left, down River.

It's about a mile, maybe more, from Blackwater Creek to the St. Johns River. More if like me, you take scenic detours.

Two coves full of young gators.

Boat traffic was heavy, for the Wekiva. By "heavy" I mean 10 boats, tops. All either fishing or traveling slowly. Even outside the Manatee Zone. I thought it may be warm enough to see a manatee as I made my way towards the St Johns.

I finished my sandwich as I paddled.

No manatees in the Wekiva. None that I saw, that is. A bald eagle is sometimes in a tree just into the St. Johns River. I took a look.

It was not there. This part of the St. Johns is not a good kayaking section. Fast moving boats in the main channel. They are supposed to maintain Slow Speed outside the channel, due to manatees. I turned around. 12:35. On the water four hours, time to head back. A boat zoomed by, I tried to reach the safety of the Wekiva before its wake reached me. Unable to do so. But, I may not have seen the manatee snout pop up between the waves had I not reached that spot by paddling hard. I waited for it to come up again. It did not, at least as I was watching.

The Wekiva is to the right, St Johns, left.

The same family was still fishing at the mouth of Blackwater Creek when I returned at 1:35.

I had to take the fugal pics for someone who has a lichen for them. Took a break at 2:10, usual spot.

Had an apple and a cookie, walked around, put some jerky in the PFD pocket for later, and got back in the kayak.

Lots of photogenic little alligators.

The piggy, or gator back ride, was over.

I passed the day use launch site, the final stretch to my campsite. Came around a bend, was a tent in the distance. What? that's not mine. As there is no other spot to camp, had some interloper put his tent on my site? Nope, it was my tent. I had failed to secure the rain fly, and it blew off.

Arrived "home" at 4:25. Family and long time friends will appreciate the photo number. 2810.

Seen not photoed. Limpkin, sandhill crane, red shouldered hawk, cardinal. barred owl, pileated wood pecker, red belied wood pecker, wood duck, hooded merganser. A handsome marganser male, with the big white spot on its head. Several females, one with its head feather raised up Mowhak fashion. First time I've see that.

I downloaded the photos I did have, drafted the beginning of this Tale, prepared the grill, and firepit, did not light them, and went for a bike ride. Moccasin Spring, just a few steps from my tent.

The posts are from an old logging road. Lumber barons had the same respect for the land as the current Florida legislature. None.
http://audubonoffloridanews.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/OHWL_diagram_audubon.jpg I've written to oppose this landgrab.
Off the soapbox, on the bike.

There are three primitive general use campsites in Seminole State Forest. I passed the one closest to me, the Oaks site. Almost a mile from me. Occupied. Not on the water. It does have an outhouse. There are other sites, but they are for Florida Trail hikers.
On my 4.6 mile ride, I saw a few birds, and, oh yeah, a bear.

I fired up the grill, put a cheap steak on top, foil wrapped potatoes, carrots and onions on the coals. I microwave the potato in the morning to save cooking time.
Ate, went for a short night walk, watched the fire, before turning in about 10.

Slept like a baby. Woke up hourly, or maybe did not sleep. After a two hour gap between looking at my watch, I rolled out of the tent for good a little after 7. Started the grill, put the coffee on, waited for the flames to go down, went for a short walk.

Campsite view. I first found Moccasin Spring on July 4, 2008. The Yak Tale states

"I think I may be camping here someday. For me, this site is better than the primitive sites on Rock Springs Run and Wekiva. More amenities, I can drive to it" I did not have a tent back then. This weekend was my fourth overnight.

Breakfast with a view. A better photographer would not have put the shopping bag and tent in the way of the Creek. Fortified, I hoped on the bike for a springs ride. Moccasin Springs is one of three in the Forest. The easiest to find. Palm Springs is the most secluded.
You need to get off the bike, walk on a horse trail, to a ravine, and climb down. I've found it before, and did again.

Found the run, not the source. So, up the hill.

Down one false trail, found another path, which took me to the spring.

Palm Spring has a slight sulphur odor.

Back up the hill.

No vehicles on the horse trail. Not that I could ride in the loose soil. I walked my bike back to the Forest Road.

Back on the bike, past Oaks Pond.

Which from the looks of it, is man made. Dug out to build the forest roads is my guess. Saw turkeys, hawks. No bear, or deer. The last hunting weekend of the season was last weekend, so the deer may be in hiding.
Shark Tooth Spring is near one of the Florida Trail campsites.

I don't recall seeing this sign before. If I were a hiker, I'd treat water from the spring. Rather than trust a hand written sign that declares it "potable"

Back to my campsite. A pickup parked next to my car. I asked a kid, are you camping? No, hiking. And swimming in the spring. Which is not allowed. Or practical. Father and brother walked up the trail, dry. Lesson learned. Not all springs are swimmable.
I was in the yak at 10:45. Paddled up Creek.

To the usual obstacle. The first time I paddled this far up Blackwater, I pulled and angled myself past this. Only to find another, more difficult roadblock. Since then, I turn back here. Just under 30 minutes from Moccasin Spring.

A promising looking branch (Creek), until the above branch (tree)

Had this been a stand alone Tale for Sunday, this guy would have top billing.

Past the campsite.

I thought I'd go just past the Florida Trail campsite, maybe see the otters I saw Saturday and on my last visit to Blackwater Creek. Here's the campsite.

And the big gator that is often nearby.

It sensed me coming, and dove in. I turned around.

Landed at 12:45. Sat down, had a couple cookies and an apple, broke camp. Kayak loaded and ready to pull to the car. 1:25. Overloaded, despite two trips with stuff earlier. The left wheel of the cart fell off three times.

Small price to pay. Just emailed the Forest, asking if the April weekend, Easter is still available. Had to do it before posting the complete Tale, so none of my readers grab it first. ;)

Blue Spring State Park Snake Creek Loop

2012-01-29T22:47:00.075-05:00

Kayaked the St. Johns River, Snake Creek, and Hontoon Dead River today, Sunday, January 29, 2012. As on my last visit to the area, I launched at the end of French Avenue, not the main area of Blue Spring State Park. I had to look at the December 1st Tale to refresh my memory on why I did so that day. To avoid having to leave the Park at sunset. Today's reason was I had a guest. Who drove her car. So, to avoid her paying the State Park entrance fee, not to mention having to carry two kayaks from the parking lot, Stephanie and I launched from the waters edge. Heck, if I was alone I might have launched from French Ave. Passing Valentine Park on the way in, I saw it was full of tents and people. A Manatee Festival. Buses taking people to the State Park to view manatees. So, it would be packed.

We were on our way at 9:50. Up the St. Johns River a short distance to Blue Springs Run, as two bald eagles soared overhead.

One landed. I thought both had. Stepahnie, who paddle over to the tree, told me the other bird was a vulture. Which I can now see from the photo. I had stayed on the other side of the St Johns to check out the manatees at the mouth of Blue Spring Run.

Which cannot be entered this time of year. Cormorants on their usual spot on the bar that marks the manatee sanctuary.

Manatees.
Now, for a closer look at the eagle.

We continued up the St. Johns, veering right where it splits, towards Snake Creek.

Entering Snake Creek

That's a little gator.

These coots kept taking off, landing, taking off, landing. Like they were belted kingfishers.

Only coots don't land in trees.

Turkey

Snake Creek is 3.5 miles long. At least, that's what I heard a tour boat guide say as I entered it.

A bird filled 3.5 miles.

And alligator.

Saw one group of paddlers, 5 in all, coming from the other direction. For Snake Creek, that's a huge group.

Took a break just past the overhanging oak tree. One of the few areas with solid high ground. 12:15. Stephanie arrived 15-20 minutes later. A rental motorboat came up the Creek. "What's it like up there" "Shallow and narrow" He turned around. After lunch, we were back in the water.

Into the Hontoon Dead River.

The Hontoon is broad, and sections have wide expanses of vegetation. Making closeups difficult.

Unless you find a gap in the foliage and maneuver closer to shore, which is how I got the last group of photos and the opening picture of this Tale.

Speaking of far off, lots of red shouldered hawks were flying about. Only one photo.

These two were near the great egret above. I'm assuming cattle egrets, but what do young great egrets look like? "Looks like nonbreeding adult." states the Cornell University site. I'd say these are cattle egrets.

Into the canal linking the Hontoon Dead River to the St Johns. The northernmost of three canals dredged for moving timber.

A lot of the canal is like this. Almost impassable. But, by paddling hard, we made it through.

Back to the St. Johns

Alligators enjoyed the 70 degree sunshine.

As we neared Blue Spring State Park, I said how I was surprised we had not seen any manatees out in the River. Maybe because we were too busy watching the two bald eagles, again. Riding the thermals, higher and higher. Approaching the fishing/tour boat dock I told Stephanie to pay attention, or she might run over a manatee. On cue, a huge one surfaced between our kayaks.

I don't think the people on shore were lined up to see cormorants.

I've seen manatees the last three times in my kayak, in three different parts of the State. Kings Bay, on the Gulf Coast, Haulover Canal, near the Atlantic, and now, Blue Spring Run on the St. Johns River.

Paddled back to the French Ave. launch. Stephanie landed. I could not, as I had not explored the area around the island opposite the launch site.

I saw, but did not see, one manatee. A tracking device tied to its tail. I can find no reference to a Blue Spring manatee with a red and blue float. Or, is the ID color the yellow on the antenna? If so, this may be Jackie

I landed just before four. Stephanie had her kayak on her car. Talk about perfect timing. She went home, I went into the main part of the State Park. And biked out. But first, more bikes.

Bike riding Orange City EMTs. Useful for events like the Manatee Festival. Cheaper than a mounted patrol and no poop to clean up.

The Spring to Spring Trail starts just outside Blue Spring State Park. 3.3 miles from the Park entrance to the end. There is a loop of about 2 miles at Lake Beresford Park. Time constraints did not allow me to bike the loop.

Including the Park road, and 8.5 mile ride. I've seen deer before, today, a chicken.

View from the dock.

Hoped the eagle, or eagles, would be on one of the trees across from the Run, but they were covered with vultures.

I'll next be in the kayak Saturday. But no Tale until Sunday. Camping in the Seminole State Forest. Hopefully, I'll see, and photo, a bear. If I do, I'll post it. So, check in during halftime, or after, the Super Bowl.

Haulover Canal

2012-01-28T23:36:00.000-05:00

Put the kayak in at Haulover Canal after work today. Did a half day Tuesday, then headed to Crystal River, as you recall. If you don't go read the prior Tale.
As I entered the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, over the Max Brewer Bridge, before making the turn to Black Point Wildlife Drive, a bald eagle on a power pole along the road. My camera was in my backpack, in the back seat. I thought of pulling over, but its a 55 mph, no shoulder road. Lots of grass, though. I did not. To my regret, as no one came behind me from there until after I made the turn.

Into the Indian River, course set for Mullet Head Island, 1:10.

Great blue herons on the way.

Cormorants, mostly, with another great blue on a sand bar that extends off Mullet Head Island. As always, I went to my right to circle the Island. There was a large flock of white pelicans just beyond the cormorants. That was left. Thought of changing my pattern, but stuck with the tried and true.

Same osprey, different signs.

Can't get too close to the spoonbills on the refuge Island. If they'd only pose on the signs like the osprey.

Little birds on the wrack line.

BIG birds, white pelicans, behind the wrack line.

Brown pelican and royal terns

Back to the sand bar where I came in.

Return to the Canal area. Went into the first dead end canal south of the Canal. Nothing to exciting this trip.

Headed back to the secondary canal, to avoid some of the many fishing boats in Haulover.

Blue and great blue in "Dolphin Cove" No dolphins.

Into Bairs Cove. Would there be manatees? It has been warm for the last week or so, perhaps some would be present. I had to wait, then one, two, three manatees.

Dining on floating sea grass

I left the Cove, and paddled, against a light wind, to the Mosquito Lagoon end of the Canal.

Not only was the Canal filled with boats, but both banks were lined with anglers. A beautiful day, and the redfish have been biting lately.

I exited the Canal before the end, then came back in through another gap before entering Mosquito Lagoon. Paddled north, past two islands, than back into the shallow, sheltered area between the Lagoon and the "mainland"

Belted kingfisher in flight

Snowy egret

This is what I call a busy day in Haulover Canal. Out of the Canal, you can paddle for hours and see very few boats.

A crowd of people at the Manatee Overlook both times I passed, no manatees. A smaller group, I would have told them about Bairs Cove. Where I did not see any manatees on my return visit. At first. Then, right beside me. Dove, rocking the kayak. Did not see it, or any others.

This guy is more than a hundred yards off shore. Gives an idea how shallow it can be.

Vehicle Assembly Building

I landed at 4:45. That the Day Away Tour van. A tour launched as I came by the first time, so I stayed out, hoping to spot a dolphin. No luck.

After getting the kayak on the car, I figured I'd have time for a visit to Blackpoint Wildlife Drive.

Blue winged teal

Glossy ibis

I was just shooting from inside the car, until I saw this reddish egret.

I wish I had a better photo of the above birds. Not the coots. The others. Avocets. I thought black necked stilts, until told by Mark H.

A friend of my sister, Monica, up from Key West. A pleasant surprise to see him. A much better photographer than I.

And, as Vice President of the Key West Audubon Society, I'll go with his ID of the avocets.

I had to use the super vivid setting for this drake. Although it looks more colorful then the typical mallard, even without "supervivid". I really should subscribe to Bird Watching magazine. My high school biology partner is the editor. Chuck H. paid more attention in class than I.

The nice day, nearing sunset, and Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival made for a lot of people on the drive. But, the out of towners must not know about stopping at the Wild Birds Unlimited parking area and trail. Where I got the last 3 pics, and the evenings first sunset photo.

More sunset photos from Black Point Wildlife Drive.

Sunset over the Indian River. Pulled over just before crossing the bridge into Titusville. One for the photo, and 2, to ask the guy who had been in front of me since we left Blackpoint, who also turned off the road for the view, if he had seen the huge bird that swooped in front of my car. Probably a vulture, but it was near where I saw the bald eagle on the way in. He had not.

Crystal River

2012-01-24T23:53:00.000-05:00

This is the week this month I work Saturday, in exchange for a half day during the week. I chose the last Saturday of the month to get maximum daylight. Launched at Hunter Springs Park at 3:08. About 8 kayaks on the beach, scuba divers in the Spring. Don't these people have to work? Down the canal/run to Kings Bay.

Past Pete's Pier to the canal leading to Three Sisters Spring. Saw the first manatee of the day as I got close to the Spring. Several in the sanctuary are outside the run to Three Sisters. Not to many, it was 80 degrees or so. But, way too many people for me. On a Tuesday, for crying out loud. So, I left.

Rafts of coots on Kings Bay

Cormorants.

Anhinga

Blue winged teal. One advantage of a busy populated area. Birds are less skittish, than at, say, Cedar Key.
Paddling the gap between Buzzard Island and Banana Island, I saw a dolphin. Several times. Disappointed I could not get a picture. But, my spirits were soon lifted.

It landed where I've seen eagles before, maybe the same one.

Couldn't get too close, as the area near shore is a manatee sanctuary. Speaking of which, as I paddled towards King Spring, three anglers were casting into the Manatee Sanctuary. I asked if it was worth the fine. ""What?" "Fishing in the Sanctuary" "The Sanctuary is over there". So, what about the buoys you are casting over? "Keep an eye out for officials" "Thank you" Nice that the blind can fish. Here's info on the Sanctuary, with a Map. I circled Buzzard Island, headed back to Three Sisters Spring.

Looks like female Buffleheads and blue winged teal.

Fisherbird.

Fisherman. Happy guy. Happy snook, to as it was released. Not in season, and to big if they were in season. This was in the canal on the way to Three Sisters. I hoped the crowd had cleared out. I was running short on time, as Hunter Springs Park closes at sunset. I could have launched at the ramp between Charlies Restaurant and Bird's Underwater, which does not close, but I prefer the soft bank launch at Hunter Springs to concrete and asphalt. As does the bottom of my kayak.

Osprey across from Three Sisters.

Which was much less crowded. One pontoon boat. From the Port Hotel, but with a USGS Manatee Research banner tied to the rail. I had seen it in the canal, earlier. I was watching two manatees eating a clump of seaweed. Then a boat came, too fast, in my opinion. No indication they saw the manatees. What were they researching? Boat strikes, first hand? They might want to sent a better example. When I launched, a woman told me they were capturing manatees. Probably part of this

I anchored outside the run to Three Sisters and conducted my own research.

Needlefish

Just a few wet suited (wimps) snorkelers and two kayakers in the Springs.

The two resting manatees with the fish were in Three Sisters. There may have been more, but I just swam to the center vent, and pressed for time, turned back, not going to the vents on the right and left.

Mullet in the run.

I was only in the water 15 minutes. Back in the yak, course set for Hunter Spring.

Landed at 6:04. One other car in the lot. Not a cop or park worker,waiting to lock the gate, which has happened to me in the past, but a car with a kayak rack. Had to be these guys.

Shoot, I could have spent 10 more minutes with the manatees.

Cedar Key Sunday

2012-01-22T23:19:00.117-05:00

Another wonderful, full day at Cedar Key. As I had not even seen a dolphin since my last vist to Cedar Key, this pair gets top billing. A well traveled pair, I will explain as I tell the Tale.

Had to start the day with sunrise photos. 7:02 am

And crab farmers headed out to harvest their lease.

I went back to bed. But, not for long.

Too bad the park restroom blocked the sun. 7:32 AM. I got dressed for a morning walk.

Low tide was at 7:26 AM

Dock Street

Honeymoon Cottage

Downtown

Dock to bayou.

I saw the trailer and thought, if a mini Cooper can tow....

Photos that may not be at the Chamber of Commerce

Marking the water level for the next storm surge.

Back "home" after a 30 minute stroll.

Breakfast. Steak, potato, peppers, and cheese. Made a sandwich with the rest of the leftover steak. But, is it leftover when you intentionally buy and cook enough for three meals?

I made a note in the Room Log, and checked out. Drove across the street, carried the kayak out, losing my sandals on the way. Retrieved them from the muck on the way back to get the rest of my stuff. Aqua socks stayed on, I made care not to step where I stepped before. On the water at 10:20, the large group I heard the concessionaire talking about from my balcony (see Saturday's Tale) had not arrived.

Clammers returning with the morning harvest.

Anyone know what this is? Diving bird, size of a cormorant or loon, but not either.

Cormorants on the Atsena Otie dock.

Grassy Key, foreground, Snake Key, background. I was on my way to Seahorse Key.

More unidentified migrants.

Seahorse Key. 52 feet high, the highest natural spot on the west coast of Florida. When I first saw it, I thought "Indian Mound" Its a sand dune.

The crossing took me 90 minutes. I'd guess its about 3 miles.

Plenty of birds, including a bald eagle, despite nesting season being two months away. I began to circle the Key, going to my right.

This is as close as you will get to the lighthouse, built in 1854, except for an annual open house. My last visit, I thought maybe the trees will clear a bit in the winter so I can get a better view. Nope.

The sand dune.

Views from my lunch spot.

Out in the water, the view was of two dolphins. I shoved off, hoping I'd see them again.

A long paddle ahead of me to distant Ceder Key.

More ducks. Male hooded mergansers?

First dolphin pics on Dave's Yak Tales since November 14, 2010. Also from Cedar Key. These are much better. Three, two which hanging together. One of the pair had a ragged edge to its tail.

This is a male hooded merganser with the big white spot that I've been hoping to get a photo of for a long time. For me, this was better than the dolphins. I've photoed plenty of those.

Atsena Otie Key, which as you know, is the original site of the town of Cedar Key. If you did not know, welcome to Dave's Yak Tales and go read prior Tales from Cedar Key.

Dock Street, almost done for the day. But, dolphins!

One raised its ragged tail. The same pair as before. The opening photo is from this encounter.

With this escort, who needs the Coast Guard?

Landed at 3:15. Loaded the kayak, changed from swim suit to shorts in the park

restroom, and hopped on the road bike.

On my way to the Cedar Key Museum State Park. Not to be confused with the Cedar Key Historical Museum, downtown.

Confederate salt kettle. Used to boil seawater, until only salt remained. To preserve meat. Maybe the ancestors of the cows I saw Saturday along the Wekiva River.

The museum began as a shell collection

In addition to the house and grounds, there are more exhibits and a historical timeline in a contemporary building.

I am morally obligated to add a Wisconsin reference to the Historical Marker.

Back on the bike.

Cemetery Point Park

A boat graveyard as well

Back on the road.

Where should you look for snowy and great egrets?

The answer is obvious.

And yes, it is where I saw the last two birds.

Log cabin.

Dolphin. My camera was slow, maybe because the sun was sinking. At least I got a pic of a female hooded merganser.

My favorite eatery, the Pickled Pelican closes at 4 on Sunday. So I went to the Rusty Rim. For conch chowder.

And clams.

Wonder if they came off the boats I saw in the morning?

Sunset served nightly.

Cleared photos are through a window only, not window and screen. The deck is at a sister establishment Coconuts. I walked out, saw no food, and ashtrays, so I headed upstairs. But an Internet search reveals a menu. I may have to do more on site research.

I got out of the Rusty Rim, 2 Yueglings and a generous tip with the food, for under 25 bucks.

Last photo of the day, 6:15 PM. Thinking of coming back, late FFebruary.

Cedar Key

2012-01-21T16:26:00.086-05:00

The view from the balcony of Room 228 in Park Place, Cedar Key, Florida, Saturday, January 21, 2012, 3:17 PM. I had not been in the kayak since Sunday and was suffering withdrawal. So, when I saw the marine forecast for the waters around Cedar Key was a light chop both Saturday and Sunday, I decided to make a overnight visit. As usual on my Cedar Key adventures, I stopped first at the Waccasassa River.

An early start at the first stop, time stamp on the above photo is 6:55 AM. I was so eager to get on the water after 6 days when I looked at the clock and it read 3:37, I said, what the heck., I won't be able to sleep. Had sunrise been earlier, I would have been on the water earlier. Not waking up before I did, but driving faster. I went the speed limit, and below, because I know it would be dark when I arrived at Wacassasa Park in Levy County. With the price of gas, I'm glad I drove slowly. Two power boaters launched before me. 99% of boats head downriver. I went up.

For some reason, I'm really tired. Time for a nap before a sunset paddle.

I'm back.

Time to cook dinner.

Since I'm just here one night, I'll eat in. Tomorrow, maybe lunch at the Pickled Pelican. Now, back to this morning.

Arrived at the confluence of the Waccassasa and Wekiva Rivers to see the first guy who launched waiting. At least I assume it was the first guy. Remember, it was dark, so I did not get a good look at him. Didn't get a very good look, now, either. In camo. Head to toe. Eyes peering out from his balaclava. Hmmm, that's not a fishing pole on his lap. "Beautiful day" he said. "Sure is" Unless you're a duck. I only heard one gunshot as I paddled up the Wekiva.

The view when I turned around, 8:15.

Good thing there's a cattle ranch so I have some wild, er, domesticated animal photos.

There were numerous small birds. A big flock of robins. Seems like I'm seeing more robins this year than ever. Forgot to mention saw a lot of them last Sunday, on Rock Springs Run. None on the other Wekiva River.

Saw wood ducks, as usual, could not get a photo. Lots of turkeys. No pics of them either. All in the trees. Only I did not see any until they took off from their roost. I had a glimpse of an otter on the way up River, just the tail sliding into the water. I was thinking, I haven't seen anything really neat yet, on this River, where I've seen deer, manatees, bald eagles, swallow tail kites, otters..... If otters could tale, it would have said, "Wake up, numbnuts" Right on the bank, eating a fish. Again, I missed the photo. But, I followed it downstream.

It exited, left bank.
I exited the Wekiva and paddled up the Waccassasa.

I'd not noticed this hollow cypress before. Maybe because the River is so low, before I just was the top of it.

Turned back here as I began to scrape the limestone bottom.

Waccassasa left, Wekiva, right.

I landed at 10:25. Hours later, when I downloaded the photos, there were 4 of just water. Were they the last of the morning or first of the afternoon. Oh yeah, there was a otter near the launch. I snapped four quick shots. Still had the zoom on from the above pic, and the otter was right next to me. Thus, photos of water. Lots of trucks and trailers now in the lot, but they all had gone down the Waccassaaa, towards the Gulf. Thank goodness, as that meant I just heard the airboats.

I had told Park Place I expected to arrive around 1:00. More like 11:15-20. My room was not ready. Which was expected. So, I just wheeled the kayak across the street and was back on the water at 11:45.

The forecast light chop must have been early in the morning. Breezy on the Gulf in the early afternoon.

I got to the fishing dock, and turned back.

Past Dock Street, and the beach where I launched, to the channel behind the lodgings for my last two trips to Cedar Key, Old Fennimore Mill.

My favorite place to stay, but not after a month when I did not get a commission check. $125 a night, Park Place is $81. (AAA rate)

Cedar Key is a working town. Aquaculture, in particular farm raised clams, is big in this small town.

No wind or wave issues in the Back Bayou.

Approaching the Number 2 Bridge.

Four bridges link Cedar Key to the mainland. The old, wood bridge.

Oyster catchers

Sunday morning. Heating up the leftovers, waiting for the tide to go out. A few more photos during breakfast.

This would be a great place to stay with a group. My family, for instance

Back to Sunday. You know you are close to the Gulf when you open the sliding glass door to let the breeze in, and hear the kayak rental guy, on the beach, say "I have a group of 12 coming in an hour and a half" That would be 10:30. So, I'm shooting for 10:15.

Cloud Nine, or as I call it, 'the octagon house" is near the Number 3 Bridge. I paddled towards, not all the way to it, then turned back. Paddled past Cemetery Point.

I had not noticed the osprey in the background when I took the photo.

Time to back and get in the yak.

More to come when I get home tonight. As I told a woman on my walk this morning, we have no reason to hurry home for the game. She was attired in a Packer sweatshirt.

9:30 PM Sunday. Home after another wonderful day. More about later. Let's see if I can finish Saturday's Tale before bedtime.

Saw lots of ducks. Too far away for a good ID. And when I got a little closer

Mergansers, maybe?

I know these are pelicans

And a cormorant.

These are female hooded mergansers. Not with the group, so I'm wondering what the group was.

The ducks again, a better look. Could me male hooded mergansers. I had thought they always had a large white mark on the side of the head. Not so, according to the Cornell U. bird ID site

Past the Old Fennimore Mill dock into the Gulf. Where another male merganser bobbed in the waves.

I landed about 2:30. Wheeled the kayak across the street to Park Place, where the housekeeping cart stood out side my room. So, I took my time putting the yak on the car, rinsing off the salt water, getting my gear together. When I finished, the room was ready. Sat down for this photo at 3:17.

The guy in the shorts operates the kayak rental concession.

I was back in my kayak at 5:30 for a sunset paddle. Which, as you know, was successful.

Headed to the dock at Atsena Otie Key. Thinking it would provide birds and interesting perspective.

Right on both counts. I was 3/4 of a mile to a mile away from the launch site. Time to head back.

Turning around now and then for more photos. Thought, if I can just position the yak so I get the view over the island (North Key)

There it is.

The last photo from the kayak was taken at 6:14 PM. The first was at 6:55 AM. Not quite 12 hours. I think I earned a good dinner.

Rock Springs Run

2012-01-15T23:14:00.049-05:00

See the alligator? I like to think I would have noticed it even if Joanne B. had not posted the same scene on her Facebook page and asked the same question. This was at the end of the paddle. Now, the beginning.

Turtles already sunning as I set out from Wekiva Springs State Park at the realtively late hour of 9:25. Which gave a chance for the sun to warm things up after an overnight low of 35 at Orlando International, 40, at Orlando Executive Airport. The latter closer to me. Even colder along the banks of Rock Springs Run. Campers returning from Indian Mound told me they ice at the campsite.

Down the Wekiva, and up Rock Springs Run

I usually don't get wood duck photos on Rock Springs Rum. They tend to fly away.

Other than the guys returning from Indian Mound, the only people I saw on the way up Run was a family camping at Otter Camp. A girl was in the Run, fishing. "That's one way to warm up" The water being warmer than the air.

I saw an otter before turning around, here. The upstream view.

Looking down Rock Springs Run. The "second open area"

One of a trio of raccoons.

A few people on the Run, and the Wekiva as I returned to Wekiwa Springs State Park.

In the lagoon near the Spring, I was going to go to the right, to look for gators. A fairly large one likes that side. But, I saw an anhinga on the other side, and wondered if it was the one that Joanne had told me about. One with string or twine around its beak.

It was not. But, below, there was an alligator.

And turtles. I looked up, and there was dedicated paddler and Park volunteer, Joanne.

Sorry about the lousy picture.

We chatted, and a green heron landed. We both took pictures.

Neither of us noticing the little gator, which can't be seen in this picture.

I landed just past 1:30, loaded the kayak, and went for a walk.

A sign at the trail head on the hill above the Spring states this point is 0.9 miles. I turned back.

After no deer, on the paddle, I hoped for one on my stroll. Just as squirrel. This can be a good area for deer at dusk. As I walked, I had the idea in the future, bike to Sand Lake, and walk there. Less people. Also less shade, so a good winter hike.

I walked a bit over 2 miles, adding the Wet to Dry Boardwalk. Or for me, Dry to Wet.

I choose not to get wet, forgoing a dip in the Spring. Had to get some beer and munchies for the game. A classmate from grade school has the quote of the day.

"Would the aliens who kidnapped the Packers and replaced them with zombie clones, please return them?"

Myakka River

2012-01-14T22:12:00.097-05:00

I visited Myakka River State Park today, January 14, 2012, for the first time since April. A cold front moved through, so I headed south in search of warmth. Not very warm. low 46, high 61 today in nearby Sarasota. Nearby to Myakks River State Park, that is. A 142 mile drive from my home to water's edge. Which was further from the road than usual. The Myakka River is low. I knew that, having checked the River height here. The low levels were confirmed by the ranger as I obtained my Wilderness Permit so I could paddle south of State Highway 72.
I was in the water at 8:30, launching near the Park Road bridge. By in the water, I mean in the water. I had to get out of the kayak and pull it along until I got to deep enough water. Taking care to not let the soft bottom pull the water shoes off my feet.

Snowy egret

Belted kingfisher

Black crowned night heron

Tri colored heron

Blue heron

Great blue heron

Anhinga

Osprey

Into the Wilderness Preserve. Construction at the 72 Bridge, it is being replaced.

Hard to tell, thanks to my expert photography skills (ha!) but this juvenile black crowned night heron blended in very well with the dry grass and log.

Cattle egret

Green heron.

Wood stork

Some type of little bird.

Great egrets

I saw just one alligator as I paddled towards Lower Myakka Lake. A result of cool temps and low water.

Lower Lake Myakka was. Lower than I have ever experienced. I tried to push myself to deeper water. Seeing nothing but shallow water, I got out of the kayak and pulled it back the way I came.

Killdeer

Ibis. I saw a glossy ibis on the shore of the Lake.

Finally got a gator photo. The one in the opening picture of this Tale.

Out of the Wilderness Preserve at 11:30. Birds seen, but not shown, robins and crested caracara.

This is how the Myakka River usually looks.

Except, usually, I don't have to post the same pair of alligators three times.

Stopped for lunch.

The Park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. I bet this restroom was constructed then..

Back on the River.

Some type of ducks.

As always seems to be the case when I paddle the Myakka River, it was windy. Out of the north, so I was paddling into it on the up stream paddle.

Lesser yellow legs

Paddled past my car at 12:50. The shallow area where I walked the kayak in the morning is behind the green area.

A large group gathered to watch this gator. I don't mean the vultures, I mean people on the bridge.

Limpkin

My plan was to paddle for a hour up River from the Park Road bridge. I had to take the paddle apart and push through a shallow spot just past the bridge.

Next, not shallow, but dry. I turned around.

Landed on the left side of the bridge at 1:20. Walked across it to get the car. Better than walking through the muck as I did in the morning. Loaded the kayak and went for a drive on the Park road. Destination, hiking//biking trail head. I drove all the way to the north entrance of the Park. Lots of cars parked at three different trailheads. More than I'd ever seen. It was good hiking weather. I had not seen anyone on the water. Guess everyone in the full campgrounds were on the trails. Two deer crossed the road as I drove. Making the fourth weekend in a row I've seen deer.

White pelicans on Upper Myakka Lake.

I finally got on the bike.

That's a thieving bald eagle in the tree.

An osprey flew by, dropping a big fish. Why? I wondered. I then heard, eee eeee as a bald eagle swooped down. Neither bird recovered the fish. Here's what Ben Franklin said about eagles and osprey.

"For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him."

I turned around after 3 miles according to my bike odometer.

Would not be fun on a summer afternoon.

Only shade, near the trailhead.

Next stop, the birdwalk.

Or, the bird and hog walk.

Sand hill cranes. Next stop, the dam at the south end of Upper Myakka Lake. Actually, that was the second stop. First was to look for a whistle. A month ago I had three. The best included a compass. I bought that at Myakka River a few years ago. The compass broke, so I tossed it out. Not thinking, I'm sure it still blew. The next one, lost on Gum Slough. The lanyard got caught on a branch, the whistle broke off, and sunk. So, if you hear a whistling fish on Gum Slough..... The third, no idea. Maybe if I clean out the car.... The rental concession had whistles. With a small compass. The cashier said a person was recently fined $90 for not having a whistle. My plan earlier in the day, when whistleless, was, if asked by law enforcement, I'd reach in one pocket, then the other, and say "Must have fallen out"

More people who failed the reading portion of the FCAT. That would be the Floriduh Comprehensive Assessment Test.

I walked back to the concession area.

Where I was going to have a bowl of gator stew. A beer, I thought, would be nice to wash it down. But, in my experience, Honeymoon Island is the only Florida State Park that serves beer.

Add Myakka to that short list. An impressive collection. I saw Swamp Ape IPA, and thought, that's for me.

Pricy, $6.99. But, 10% Alc/vol, so you get 2 normal beers in one. Did not know that when ordering it. Fine for washing down the stew.

Which now comes with salad and a roll. $7.99. I began my meal on the outside deck. Or tried to. After the wind blew my spoon away, I went inside.

Need to see if I can find this anywhere for one of my brothers.

I caught little buzz, so was very careful as I backed my car out which I had parked between two live oak branches.

On to the Canopy Walkway.

Up the short tower, across the treetop level walkway to the tall tower.

The crane is at the Highway 72 bridge

I could feel the tower sway in the wind. Yes, the wind, not the beer.

Finished the day with a walk on the short trail near the Walkway.

A kid, out with his dad and brothers, asked, "Did you get any wildlife pictures with that camera" "No" At least, not on this walk.

Before leaving, I checked out a new campsite at the Park. Same as the old ones. Full of RVs, right on top of one another. Not for me. Some day, I'll rent one of the cabins in the Park. Very high demand, so I may have to take some vacation time to do it on a weeknight. Final stop before heading home, the ranger station, to return my Wilderness Permit. They like to know people made it back. I'll be back, after it rains and the River rises.

Lakes Maitland, Nina and, Minnehaha

2012-01-11T11:37:00.028-05:00

Paddled about two hours before going into work at 12:30 today, Wednesday, January 11, 2012. Just working this schedule two days this month. I may not kayak the other, as I scheduled it after my monthly 4 hour work day. On which I will, of course, kayak in the afternoon. Thinking of a Crystal River manatee excursion. But, that's in two weeks. This morning, I launched from Fort Maitland Park at 8:48 am.

As always on these lakes, I was greeted by anhingas.

Wood ducks and osprey, Lake Nina.

Through the canal to Lake Minnehaha.

Overcast and drizzling. Rain stopped, the wind picked up as a cold front moved in.

Just one other boat on the water, a fisherman leaving Lake Minnehaha as I entered.

Lake Minnehaha ahingas.

And a moorhen.

And a great egret.

Back in the canal.

Back to Lake Maitland.

Windy and choppy on the larger lake, so I headed towards Fort Maitland Park. Saw a blue heron across the way, and thought, by the time I paddle over there for a photo, it will fly away. But then, there were four, so I paddled across the narrow bay. After all, the only GBH photo I had so far is barely visible, in flight in the second photo.

Of course, there was another anhnga.

Now, I paddled back to the launch, past the condos, and, what is that, an eagle? Too bad I was aiming the camera at the wrong branch. See the opening photo of this Tale. Before I could adjust, it flew away.

Fort De Soto

2012-01-08T23:38:00.070-05:00

Sunrise from outside my door at the Sirata Beach Resort on St. Pete Beach.

7:01 am. I laid back down for a while, before going out to the beach at 8:30.

The hotel has an enclosure with abandoned iguanas.

What does this add to the room rate? And the 3 pools and 2 whirlpools I did not use. What I need in lodging is a fridge, microwave, stovetop, internet. And a good table and chair where I can see my computer, TV, and view, all at the same time.

I checked out, and went 4 blocks north, out of my way, to Subway. Had a gift card. Thank you again, Ed, of the Green Wave Forum. Got a breakfast sub for now, a footlong for later. On to Fort De Soto Park, a seven mile drive. As of the new year, there is $5 entry fee. Also being charged at the north end of Pinellas County, Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs. Parking off the road before the manned entrance station won't get you in free, there are self pay stations before the booth. I parked near the rental concession and was on my way at 10:40.

Paddled out of Soldiers Hole, the marked area near the concession. Ask for a brochure and follow the trail markers if its your first visit.

Sunshine Skyway.

I paddled out of Soldiers Hole into Mullett Key Bayou. Here's a map

Two of my favorite birds. On the large end, white pelicans, the small, belted kingfisher.

Pushed the button at the right time to get the wings in the above photo.

Punk snowy egret

Hooded merganser, female, with the pelicans

A breakwater near the Arrowhead Picnic Area has to be built from debris from old barracks and other buildings. Note the red bricks.

Tide was in, so I could paddle into the area behind the North Beach, Gulf just over the low dunes.

I crossed Bunces Pass to Shell Key.

Here's a map The shipwreck was at the elbow on the south end of the Key. The Gulf was flat. Which was why I was here, nice when the marine report from Friday stays accurate. Wanted to paddle north. But a bot zoomed by. Huge wake. I angled the yak, but one wave brought in a lot of water. Bleep this, I'm going back into the protected water.

Oyster catcher

Much nicer in the combustion exclusion zone on the east side of the Key.

A huge flock of white birds, maybe pelicans, in the distance. As is the Don Cesar.

Whelk. I was thinking conch, but did a little research. Put it back in the water. Just so happened to place it next to another live one.

Crossed back to Mullet Key and took a break. Half the Italian sub. Just the second Subway I've had in about 15 years. Publix makes much better subs. The views.

Back on the water.

I've been seeing a lot of mergansers lately, but all females.

Feeding brown pelican.

Back to Soldiers Hole.

Too bad I did not get the registration of these illiterate boaters. As I've asked many times, how can buy and operate a boat if you can't read English? These scofflaws came back into the combustion motor exclusion zone to land.

I landed at 3:10, and went for a bike ride.

Would have been nice to have brought the road bike for the nice paved trail, but I just had the trail bike with me. I had rode about a mile, past the Fort, with views of the Gulf, when I stopped to photo a great egret. To find I left the camera in the car. Went back to get it, and pedaled in the other direction. Stopped to walk the "barrier free" nature trail.

A nice, 15 minute walk. One I had not taken before. Fort Desoto is a very large park, always new things to discover.
Back on the bike, I got my egret photo.

I always need to post family photos

Views from the top of the Fort.

A nicer walk to the top. New steps at one end, and ADA compliant ramp on the other.

I left at 4:45. A nice weekend.

An hour later, moon rise on I-4.