Rock Springs Run

Happy Earth Day.  Although I've lived in Florida since 1989, I'll always be a Wisconsinite at heart.  I'm proud to be from the State that Gaylord Nelson , Aldo Leopold and John Muir called home.

Here in Florida, a lake wind advisory was forecast, beginning at noon.  So, instead of driving 50 miles or so to Alexander Creek, I drove 12, in a drizzle, to Wekiwa Springs State Park.  Arrived about 7:50, 4 or 5 cars lined up, waiting to get in.  Polite folks, they left the gate unblocked.  So, I was able to open it, and drive in.

On the water at 8:06. No longer raining.

Ibis and immature blue heron along Rock Springs Run.

The stems supporting the leaves on the surface must be thick.  This alligator was having a hard time hiding from me.

The shorter limpkin may be a growing chick.  Or, just a small adult.

The sky cleared, then cloudy, then partly cloudy.  But, no rain. 

The view looking up Rock Springs Run, where it narrows, up stream of Big Buck Camp.  I took a picture of another juvenile blue heron.

 And turned around.

Saw one deer.  From its size, and the way it concentrated on eating, I think if I see it again, I'll see two.

 Other than campers at the Otter Camp site, I saw nobody for over 3 hours.

Eventually, 9 kayaks and canoes as I neared the Wekiva River.

Tooth marks on the shell?

Alligator Action!    Blogger is useless for posting videos, so, welcome to my FB page.

To my delight, even the Wekiva River, near the State Park, was not very busy.  For a Sunday.

Landed at 12:25. Carted the kayak up the hill, secured it to the car, and went to the little museum in Wekiwa Springs State Park.  Hoping to find information about the Bio Blitz.  Like the list of the over 1500 species identified last weekend.  One of the two volunteers knew nothing about it.  The other said he recalled seeing an item in the paper.  The museum is run by the Wekiva Wilderness Trust, a different organization from the Friends of the Wekiva, the group that put on the Blitz, and Saturday's events at Katie's Landing.  I think they need to get together, and at least tack the list of species on the wall of the small museum.   And at the kiosk at Katie's Landing, and at the trailheads in the Seminole State Forest, and at Kelly Park, and.....

Speaking of trailheads.

I went for a walk

Red bellied woodpecker.

I continued to Sand Lake.

Nothing like getting to your destination, sitting down, and taking a picture of an alligator.

The trail goes next to the Park Road for a bit.  A root filled section, tough footing, so I walked on the road for a short time.

I don't think I've seen a red mushroom before.

More red. Lichen on tree.

Back to the Spring after a 90 minute, 4 mile, walk.  With a couple rest stops, as I'm a fat, old man.

Nice to have access to the fountain of youth.

Best of all, there were not to many youths in the fountain.  Other than at the main spring vent. So, I just filmed minnows

Another fine Florida day.  Programming note.  I'll probably do the Lake Maitland-Minnehaha paddle Wednesday.  Than Friday, actually Thursday night, stopping overnight in Miami, its down to Key West to see the last of the Key West nieces and nephews get married. Actually, Arlo is the first, age wise, they got married in reverse chronological order.  So, lots of wildlife, that is, family photos.  Fortunately, my family gets better looking each generation.  My siblings married well.