Rock Springs Run

See the alligator?  I like to think I would have noticed it even if Joanne B. had not posted the same scene on her Facebook page and asked the same question.  This was at the end of the paddle.  Now, the beginning.

Turtles already sunning as I set out from Wekiva Springs State Park at the realtively late hour of 9:25.  Which gave a chance for the sun to warm things up after an overnight low of 35 at Orlando International, 40, at Orlando Executive Airport.  The latter closer to me.  Even colder along the banks of Rock Springs Run.  Campers returning from Indian Mound told me they ice at the campsite.

 Down the Wekiva, and up Rock Springs Run

 I usually don't get wood duck photos on Rock Springs Rum.  They tend to fly away.

Other than the guys returning from Indian Mound,  the only people I saw on the way up Run was a family camping at Otter Camp.  A girl was in the Run, fishing.  "That's one way to warm up"  The water being warmer than the air.

I saw an otter before turning around, here. The upstream view.

 Looking down Rock Springs Run.  The "second open area"

 One of a trio of raccoons.

A few people on the Run, and the Wekiva as I returned to Wekiwa Springs State Park.

In the lagoon near the Spring, I was going to go to the right, to look for gators.  A fairly large one likes that side. But, I saw an anhinga on the other side, and wondered if it  was the one that Joanne had told me about.  One with string or twine around its beak.

It was not.  But, below, there was an alligator.

And turtles.  I looked up, and there was dedicated paddler and Park volunteer, Joanne.

Sorry about the lousy picture.

We chatted, and a green heron landed.  We both took pictures.

Neither of us noticing the little gator, which can't be seen in this picture.

I landed just past 1:30, loaded the kayak, and went for a walk.

A sign at the trail head on the hill above the Spring states this point is 0.9 miles.  I turned back.

 After no deer, on the paddle, I hoped for one on my stroll.  Just as squirrel.   This can be a good area for deer at dusk.  As I walked, I had the idea in the future, bike to Sand Lake, and walk there.  Less people.  Also less shade, so a good winter hike.

I walked a bit over 2 miles, adding the Wet to Dry Boardwalk.  Or for me, Dry to Wet.

I choose not to get wet, forgoing a dip in the Spring.  Had to get some beer and munchies for the game.  A classmate from grade school has the quote of the day.

"Would the aliens who kidnapped the Packers and replaced them with zombie clones, please return them?"