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.