St. Johns and St. Francis Dead River

Tuesday was my half work day for April.  I'll work the other half, Saturday. Here's a thread on how I wound up at Ed Stone Park. Posted on the Green Wave Forum, in response to a question posed by a new kayaker on places to paddle.
http://www.clubkayak.com/greenwave/default.asp?message=10274

I was surprised at how many trailers were in the parking lot on weekday.  But, only having been here once before, I could be normal, or even fewer than usual.  I headed down the short canal to the St Johns at 2:20. Turned right, paddled down River.

One the southeastern edge of the Ocala National Forest

A good breeze was as my back. Fine for soaring osprey.

And red shouldered hawk.

I think. I got a photo of a flying  hawk. Maybe it was this, or maybe one that will appear in a bit.

As I did my last, and first visit, I followed the Lake County Paddling Trail

A good afternoon for flying birds.

Perhaps this is the hawk.

Anhinga diving.

A woman on the roof of the houseboat thought she was in a secluded spot. on the St. Francis River. Naked as a jaybird.  So, I got a close up.

Gotcha!  A few stokes of a paint brush could correct the name on the houseboat from Holly Bluff Marina to Holly's Buff

Back to PG topics, I think there was one other boat on the St. Francis.  I'm writing a day later, and tend to forget things.

St Francis Trail overlook.

Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.

End of the St Francis Dead River.

Cormorant takes off. 

I was having a good afternoon for catching birds in flight, great blue heron, here.

I stopped at the St. Francis Trail overlook. Here is an excellent description, from the Florida Hikes ! site. 

I only walked for as long as it took to eat a pear.

Back to the St Johns

Swallowtail kite.

Limestone and shell studded bank.

St. Johns Marina, just outside Ed Stone Park.  Kind of a run down looking operation.  A river front restaurant that appears to be closed.  Nice place to buy when I win the lottery.

Landed at 7:25.

Got the kayak on the car and took a few sunset photos.

I was not on a high bluff, but this quote from "Cross Creek"  is a fine way to end this Tale.

"If I could have, to hold forever, one brief place of time and beauty, I think I might choose the night on the high lonely bank above the St. Johns River," Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings