Rock Springs Run

In a case of deja vu all over again, the bosses asked if anyone could work Saturday. I looked out the window at blue sky, this Tuesday morning, October 20, 2009, and said I would. As last Tuesday, I left work at noon. After picking up the yak, I was at Wekiwa Springs State Park, taking this picture of a tri colored heron a few minutes after I launched. Time stamp on the photo is 1:31.


I shared the Wekiva River with six canoers and kayakers. A mother and son in a canoe approached the turtle/alligator log very closely. Had to be only turtles I thought. I thought correctly. I told them about the alligator that often occupies the log. Mom, in a British accent, replied, "We saw an alligator further down". This one, perhaps.
I saw about 8 alligators, compared to 1 on my cool Sunday paddle. Beautiful afternoon. I'd guess high seventies, low eighties, tolerable humidity, breezy. Swim trunks and t-shirt, no jacket required. I like not sweating as I paddle up Rock Springs Run.

Passed two of the three primitive camp sites, Otter and Indian Mound. Both empty. As was Rock Springs Run. I was almost to Big Buck Camp when I noticed a green canoe coming downstream. Paddled by Joanne, who enjoys Rock Springs Run as much as I do. She told me about some deer up the Run. She had been unable to get any photos. I have peaked at her Facebook page. She saw deer down the Run after we parted. I also saw deer, up the Run a few minutes after our chat. Two on my left, they moved into the brush. One on the right, which I was able to photo.









Entering the tree lined part of the Run, upstream of Big Buck, I told myself I'd count ten animals, then turn around.
















I arrived at 10 quickly, so I kept going. According to the next photo, I turned around at 3:49.
I missed an eleventh critter during my 10 count. Across from the two turtles. A massive alligator. Not one to linger near, or paddle back upstream for a better picture.
Fifteen minutes later, up Run of Big Buck, I saw the deer in the opening photo of this Tale. Ten minute later, another d"ear".
The ibis, which were in the trees Sunday, were mostly on the banks this afternoon.









I stopped at Indian Mound. I'm trying to pick which site to camp at when my tent arrives. It left Doraville, GA, at 9:38 this evening. Indian Mound has a 2 foot high rooty bank, which could be a pain with a fully loaded yak. I'm thinking the best campsite could be one not on Rock Springs Run, but on the Wekiva. Buffalo Tram. No shallow water to worry about, and it is well hidden from the River. Also has a low bank. But, RSR is better than the Wekiva for large mammals like deer and bears.

Back to today's paddle.

I saw the seventh deer of the afternoon in the heavy wooded area downstream, Run left, of Otter Camp. Which also has a high bank.

I paddle Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River a lot. Three times in the last eight days, for example. I constantly see things I have not seen before. A green heron with its mouth full, for example.

Last photo from the yak, 6:35 PM.

I took more photos at Sand Lake, my new found deer spot. Saw four on along the 2 mile Park road. Parked at Sand Lake. A sidewalk extends from the lot to a restroom. No deer in the scrub as last Tuesday and Sunday. The lake is behind the restroom. I walked to it. A buck stood about halfway between the lake and the restroom. I snapped the camera. Blackness. The buck did not move. I did, a few yards, where a doe stood. The waning light must have been a little better.

The doe took a few steps towards me. I stepped away, back a few yards to where the buck still waited. A screen of small trees separated the deer, but I think the sensed each other. Finally, the doe bounded off. Buck immediately in pursuit. Running on a sand trail, than into the woods. I will not speculate on what may or may not have ensued.