Rock Springs Run

Last night, I wrote I was considering visiting Blue Springs or DeLeon Springs today, Sunday, October 18, 2009. Those plans changed as another windy day was forecast. The St Johns River at Blue Springs and Spring Garden Lake and Creek at DeLeon Springs would not be fun in the wind. Spring Garden Creek is more wide river than creek. So I went to mostly tree lined, narrow, Rock Springs Run my favorite place to be on a windy, or any, day. Cool, too. Lots of room in the parking area at Wekiwa Springs State Park near the Springs. I drove past, slowing to let a quintet of turkeys cross the road as I headed to the Canoe/kayak launch parking area.
Carted the yak down the hill and launched 10:15.
Turtles sunned on the log often occupied by an alligator as I began my way down the Wekiva River. I decided not to take a picture, as I have that scene on the 10-13 Yak Tale. Paddling slowly, I though I have not seen any otters on the Wekiva or Rock Springs Run for a while. Of course, one popped up in front of me. We both paddled downstream, the otter never came up long enough for me to get a photo. Eventually, I lost the trail.
My trail took me to the confluence of the Wekiva and Rock Springs Run. Took a left, and began paddling up Run. A sign of fall in Central Florida. Ibis covered trees.
This young ibis has a snake.
Four other paddlers were on the Run during my first hour plus. Two coming down Run, canoes loaded with camping gear. I passed a couple in a Park rental canoe. They had been with another couple in the parking lot when I arrived, the 4 had a tandem kayak. I wondered how they'd all fit. The kayak couple was waiting for their friends at Otter Camp. I told them their pals were three minutes behind.





I saw the first deer of the day upstream of the unoccupied Indian Mound campsite, on my right.

Two more deer, other side of the Run, splashed through the lily pad covered shallows before I could get a photo. A few minutes later, back on my right, I saw, and pictured another deer. The great blue heron with the earlier deer was obvious. I framed the shot s to get bird and deer in the picture. I did not notice the little heron in the lower right hand corner of the photo below until I put it on the Tale.
I did notice the position the deer assumed here. First time I've seen one taking a dump.

All four deer were seen before I got to the Big Buck camp site. I also saw another four canoes coming down the Run. One couple said they had launched from Wekiva Marina at 8, and were on the way back. I went about as far as I did Tuesday before turning around.










I made the turn about 12:30, as I heard someone coming down Rock Springs Run. No sense continuing as I was about to reverse course anyway.

Making my usual leisurely way down Run, the canoe I heard, caught up to me. I pulled over, letting a mother and son pass. A few minutes later, three deer on the right shore. Too deep in the brush for a successful photo. I stopped for lunch at Big Buck. Of the four primitive campsites on Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva. Big Buck is the only one with a picnic table in addition to benches. On the other hand, Big Buck is not as private as the others, hikers can access it via 4.5 mile walk. These points are important to me now. I bought a tent online the other day. I hope it arrives by Thursday so I can figure out how to set it up, than go camping next weekend.

The alligator is the only one I saw all day. It was cool, I wore a windbreaker, unzipped, for the first time since, I don't know, March. Turtles, now joined by a blue heron, were on the log near the lagoon that often features an alligator.
I saw more paddlers on the lower section of Rock Springs Run, and the Wekiwa, but no more than twenty. A far cry than the throngs on a warm Sunday. I have said I love November. Great weather, and no snowbirds. A cool October day ain't to shabby either. I landed a smidge past 3:30. Put the yak on the car, than took a 3 mile hike to Sand Lake. At the start, turkeys outnumbered humans on the hill rising from the Springs.
The seven deer I had seen while paddling were does. Spotted a pair of bucks on the hike. Also more people than I have ever seen on the trails of Wekiwa Springs State Park. It took me fifty minutes to get from the turkeys on the hill to Sand Lake.
This was the second time I've walked to Sand Lake. I knew there was a bench on the shore. A group was fishing there. I kept walking. Another bench, occupied, and a third, with a picnic table, also occupied. A nice spot on a comfortable day. I circled the small lake, than headed back on the trail to the Springs. More people on the trail, enjoying the fall temperatures.

No one was enjoying the Spring. Except me. I could not pass the opportunity to snorkel an empty Wekiwa Spring on a Sunday. "Isn't the water cold?" a woman asked as was about to go in. "Its warmer than the air". It was.

A bit dark underwater at 6:05. Minnows and a turtle.

Two views of the empty spring, taken twenty minutes apart. I walked the Wet to Dry boardwalk and trail in between.

This short walk can be a good place to see deer near sunset. No deer, still plenty of sunlight. So, I drove to Sand Lake, where on Tuesday, I saw a lot of deer. Only it was after dark so no pictures. I saw 9 or 10 tonight.

Including a buck getting ready to say "Hellooo ladies..."


I really like Wekiwa Springs State Park.