Sunday, October 23, 2011

Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run

After seeing otters Thursday, manatees Friday, manatees, dolphins, roseate spoonbills and white pelicans Saturday, I needed to see deer and alligators.  So off the Wekiwa Springs State Park, Sunday morning.



 Turkeys on the hill above the springs.  I was in the water at 8:45.



Black crowned night heron, just off the launch.

Morning mist on the Wekiva River.
Rock Springs Run birds.




Saw a deer in the woods, and thought, this time of year, where there's a doe, a buck can't be far behind.
The buck ambled off before I got close enough for a good photo.



I was almost to the big hollowed out cypress tree when I encountered this.
I'll just get out, pull the yak over, and keep going.  Only, on shallow Rock Springs Run, this was at a deep spot.  I turned around.



As I photoed the great blue heron above, I saw a big doe just downstream.

Paddled closer.
Closer.

 Until I looked her in the eye and whispered in her ear.

I did not whisper in her ear.  I did get a video.

 My where there is a doe there is a buck theory did not work this time.




I returned to the Wekiva, and instead of making the usual right turn, back to Wekiwa Springs State Park, I turned left, down River.




Lots of sunning turtles.  Only a matter of time, until I'd see an alligator.


My thought was to go to the big shell mound, and turn back.


This isn't it.  A smaller, less well known, mound.

Approaching the big shell mound.
I had been told No Trespassing signs are now posted.



I like the fact the signs give a reason for the No Trespassing. Restoration.  And that they are taped, not nailed to the trees.

As I had not seen an alligator, I kept going. More turtles. I told myself no photos unless there were three in the frame.


 Turned around after finishing an apple. 
View down River before I turned around, noon.


 I broke my, "Only taking pictures of three or more turtles" rule when I saw this mismatched pair.





There were 5 motor boats between where I turned around and Wekiva Island.  I don't recall ever seeing that many.  Of course, I don't paddle this stretch of the Wekiva very often, so maybe that's typical.  More surprising, the lack of paddlers on the River. On a perfect day.  Fine by me.  That must have made things more pleasant for Park volunteers, Joanne and Pamela.  Joanne said "Look at that old tire"  I said "all I see is those logs".  That's when the gator splashed into the water.  So, I never saw a gator, but I did see the splash.
 Photo courtesy Joanne.






Very few people in the Springs.  A month, two months ago, it was overwhelmed on summer Sundays.  I love fall.

A great end to four days in a row in the kayak.   Mixed in 16 hours of work, the Badger loss, and Packer win.

8 comments:

  1. Do you think the No Trespassing signs are going to keep the people off the mound? I am not holding my breath counting on it.

    Nice deer pics.

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  2. They keep me off, too, and I will sure report it if I see trespassers.

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  3. They will keep me off too but I am not positive about it based on what I have seen in that part of the river. Sadly it seems that we are the exception and not the rule. We will see.

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  4. That's why we have to be snitches ;^)

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  5. I glad I was abble to explore it before the signs went up.

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  6. Is that the shell mound where the infamous rope swing is, downstream of "Wekiva Island"?

    ReplyDelete

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