Chassahowitzka River

I spent Memorial Day, 2008 on the Chasahowitzka River and a few of its spring fed tributaries. I arrived relatively early, 9:00 am, and got one of the last two, car only spaces in the parking lot. As you can see, I saw manatees. Unlike Thursday on the Banana River, I was able to get pictures, underwater







and from the yak.







or, in the yak














The manatees (2) were in House Boat Spring. 5 other paddlers were in the small cove when I arrived. So was this blue heron.






I took the picture as I searched for a place to beach the yak. There are no good options. The last time I snorkeled House Boat Spring, I swamped the yak getting out. This time I merely sank thigh deep in organic matter. "One is headed towards you" , a paddler exclaimed. Sure enough, my commotion in getting out of the yak attracted one of the manatee. By the time I finally swam out, the paddlers had left. It was Dave and the manatees. I have never experienced such curious/playful/aggressive manatees. Locals say they are a mother and calf. I think the calf is ready to cut the apron strings, it is big. Momma is huge, near 10 feet long. They swam up to me, I swam away, they followed. I turned around, they did 360's in front of me.













I did not intentionally touch the manatees. They came in contact with me, bumping me, swimming face to face. To close for a good picture, unless you are interested in wrinkles.

The Save the Manatee Club advises observing manatees from a distance. Where was the Save the Human Club? Don't let the innocent face fool you.

I re-boarded the kayak, and the manatees continued their pursuit. This was not the first time my yak has been embraced by a manatee, but this was further up the yak and tighter than last summer in the Mosquito Lagoon. (pre Dave's Yak Tales).

I wondered if the flippers would flip me, but it never came to that.

Mom rolled over, I resisted the temptation to rub its belly, even though when we were both in the water, it tickled me with a flipper. Perhaps she was just looking for a manicure.

I left the Spring, and paddled down River. One of the many things I like about the Chass is it has so many channels, creeks, some spring fed, others not, that even on a holiday, there are secluded places. These flowers were on the a side channel, too shallow for motors, unless it is high tide. Plenty depth for kayaks, and alligators.

Before the channel, I passed Baird Creek, which I though would be crowded, as it is relatively close to the launch. I paddled a few miles to Crawford Creek, then up Blue Run.

A long section of Blue Run was very shallow, causing me to take apart my paddle and push upstream. Working up a sweat, I looked forward to a dip in Blue Run Spring.

I changed my mind after seeing this guy.

The alligator was breathing heavily. To attract a mate, or to force the algae off its snout, I don't know. I saw a raccoon on my way out of the Spring, and a lot of yellow crowned night herons.

Why aren't they called yellow crowned day herons ? Beats me. I often see bald eagles on the Chass, none today. I made my way up the Chass. Two manatees surfaced. I watched them come up a few times, glad to see they were well outside thw main channel where boats were zooming by. Paddling on, I reached Potter Creek, and made my way upstream.

A tri colored heron broke the yellow crowned dominance.

More winged critters.

Potter Creek flows from Potter Spring. At the back of Potter Spring is the narrow, shallow, twisting run

to Ruth Springs.

I saw something very unusual in Ruth Springs Run. People, the first I have encounterd in my 8 or so visits. Nice folks, brother and sister. Sister even said "Dave's Yak Tales" rang a bell. Brother offered me a beer. I declined- shocking, I know. Speaking of family,

I first was these guys, or rather heard them, on the left, west side of Potter Creek as I paddled upstream. 5 otters scurrying along the bank, getting in the water, back on the bank, before they swam across the Creek. They were still on that side when the photo was taken. The sharp teeth had just made quick work of a shrimp.

Here's another family.

I have two photos of this wood duck brood. This one, taken about 4:20 pm is much better than the 9:30 am shot.

An alligator kept me out of Blue Run Spring, deer flies prevented me from snorkeling Ruth Springs. I ended the day with a brief dip in the Solution Holes, diving down one hole and popping up another at two locations.