Hontoon Island Loop

My Hontoon Loop paddle today, Saturday, January 16, 2010 began the same way my last visit here ended. With a bald eagle across the St Johns River from Blue Springs Run. Well, not exactly the same. In December, there were two eagles.

I arrived at Blue Springs State Park just before the gate opened at 8:00, and was on the water at 8:15.

Manatee with a satellite transmitter.

After observing manatees from the mouth of the Run, off limits to people until March 15, I paddled down the St Johns, going on the west side of the island across from the French Avenue launch. Always a good spot for wildlife. Sandhill cranes and a least bittern.

Back to the main channel of the St Johns, it was nice to paddle in swim trunks and t-shirt for the first time in several weeks. Overcast skies, but only a 20% chance of showers.

Few folks on the River between Blue Spring and Hontoon Island State Parks. The only paddlers, a women's crew team. The day began with a bald eagle. When I reached Lake Beresford and the turn around the north tip of Hontoon Island, the second bald eagle of the morning.

Paddled past the Hontoon Island docks, fuller than they were in December. My favorite boat was berthed. Bold Eagle, out of Green Bay. Packer flag waving proudly.

Into the Hontoon Dead River for the paddle back to Blue Spring.

I always take a look at my old landing area.

Saw 3, 4 boats on the HDR.

Or is it HLR? Hontoon "Live" River.

Arriving at Snake Creek, I paddled into it, stopping for lunch. It has some of the only high and dry ground on the Hontoon Loop. Much of the shore is cypress trees and knees. Back in the water, but not for long. Snake Creek is still blocked.

I turned around, back to the Hontoon Dead River, to the northernmost canal leading back to the St Johns.






Had I been able to navigate Snake Creek, I would have missed otters in the canal.

Feisty otters, swimming towards me, making the hissing sound otters make, nosily going under, popping up again. Had to be a den nearby. Or whatever you call an otter crib.

Yellow crowned night heron

Just before I exited the canal, I encountered the largest flock of turkeys I've ever seen. 15 or so.

Back on the St Johns, now with a few kayakers at 12:30. A couple manatees had moved from the warmth of Blue Spring Run for lunch.

Back to, and past the launch. 7 kayaks were at the end of the Run, manatee watching. Too crowded for me, so I went to see if any were feeding around the island just down River. None that I saw. Here's what I did see.

I returned to Blue Spring Run, now just two canoes watching the manatees. And cormorants.