Myakka River State Park

> I could not decide which of the 250 pictures I took today to lead off this Tale.  So, you get me. I paddled the kayak and rode both bikes at Myakka River State Park. I am now at a Best Western in Sarasota. With the world's slowest internet connection.  It has been about 3 hours since I first tried ro download the first photo.   At least I have a 42 inch HD flatscreen. 

I arrived at Myakka River State Park 10 minutes before it opened.  I was third in line.  By the time it opened at 8, at least 10 cars were waiting.  I wound up being first in, as the people in front of me were waiting on friends.  I went into the Ranger Station to get a Wilderness Permit. And a hat. To replace one I bought at Myakka River State Park a few years ago.   The old hat had holes in it.  One of my sisters nicely bought me a cap, but it was not as good as the Myakka cap.

The caps. Left, bought at MRSP on May, 21 2011, middle, gift from Monica, right, new cap.  I'm not quite to Bartholomew Cubbins level

 It is 8:2o am Sunday. Internet is great at the free breakfast buffet.

Back to yesterday.  I drove to the Park concession area, on Upper Myakka Lake.  There is a  stony launch site, and after a short paddle, a dam to be portaged  I wheeled the kayak to the dam, left it,then drove to a small picnic area between the Park bridge and the Canopy Walkway. About 2 miles.  I biked back to the dam.

Path from parking lot to dam

The vultures were on top, or rather bottom, as it had been turned upside down.  When I arrived.  "You could have shooed them off" I said to some photographers. Vultures are a problem in the area   They like to eat rubber car parts.   When I first arrived, I heard a weeeeee.  Bottle rocket sound.  And sight.  What the?  Fireworks are illegal in State Parks.  Than I saw the official car at the boat ramp.  He was trying to scare the vultures away.  Or, so I assume.

From across the river, I thought this was a ex-gator. Now, I'm not sure

It was near vultures

I think the wood stork and vultures is the first photo I took from the kayak

Underway at 9:20

 Glossy ibis and limpkin

Cormorants get air borne

 I believe this is a lesser yellowlegs.  In contrast to a greater yellowlegs.  I could be wrong, but my thinking is lesser means shorter.  There were a lot of them.  I dreaded seeing them as it meant the water level was very shallow.  I had to get out and walk, one time  Scrapped the bottom several more.

I had only seen  white pelicans on Lower Myakka Lake before today.   I mean,I've seen them many places, but on the Myakka, only the Lower Lake

I have always thought the power lines that span the River would be a good spot for a bald eagle. Never saw one.

Until today

This big'un was in the running for first photo.  That's how I wake up.  Drool dripping from my chin

It then just lay there. Narrow River.  I yelled "Hey" nothing.  Slapped my paddle blade on the water  Nothing. It slipped below the surface on its own time.  I held my elbows higher than usual as I paddled over it.

 It was guarding my car.

There are two channels up stream of the Park Bridge. I chose the one on the left. 

Very narrow, one kayak wide for a while, but enough water to float

Splashes are from a shy camera shy cormorant

 Cheeeese

The only paddlers I saw all day. They had been to the Lower Lake. Said there was enough water to get there

Entering the Wilderness Preserve.  Access limited to 30 persons per day.

Alligators out number humans

The wildlife is close on the narrow, and shallow, Myakka. I had to push my way the last few yards into the Lower Lake

 Which is very shallow

Except, at the south end of the Lake, at Deep Hole

Where dozens of alligators reside.  I decided not to pull my kayak over the flats for a closer view.

Not sure I would want to fish here.  I paddled back across the Lake.

 Distant white pelican flock

I had to get out of the kayak and pull it at the mouth of the River. The current made it harder than it had been on the way downstream.  I decided to stop on a grassy patch for lunch.

Deer tracks

 Tri colored heron dances for lunch

Resuming the paddle, 1:37

 Killdeer

On the Myakka, alligators are not just on the banks, but rustling in the grass.  A three footer poped out just before this photo. Taken for illustrative purposes

 Juvenile black crowned night heron

Leaving the Wilderness Preserve,2:25.  Shadows under the Highway 72 bridge

 Anti gravity palm

Cattle egret

My usual launch spot

Gator and stork

I had to decide which channel to take. 

I went where the birds were

Spoonbills and friends were gathered where a trickle was entering the River.

Wading birds mean shallow water. I had to get out and pull the yak. It was worth it.

Landed at 3:45.  Loaded the yak on the car.  Drove back to get my bike. Stopped on the way to ride the other bike.

Not far, I turned back after just a mile.  I wanted to get to the Gulf in time for sunset

My ride back was more than a mile. I went the wrong way at an trail intersection.

The detour was worth it.

After I took the above photo, the guy at the concession asked if I wanted my photo taken.  The one at the top of the Tale.  Putting my hand on the yak holds the belly in.

It was 4:51.   I had to return my Wilderness Permit.  They like to know you made it back.  I asked the ranger if he thought I could make it to the beach in time for sunset. He thought so.

Turtle Beach, south end of Siesta Key, 5:36

I was at Turtle Beach for two reasons.  Sunset,and I read there was a kayak launch.  I was able to bend the ear of a 50 year Sarasota resident about the launch.

 On the other side of the road.

A few more westward looking pics, before heading to the Best Western.  Just across the drawbridge, on the mainland.  Can't be on the beach for $75.  If you can in Sarasota, let me know!

I'm not sure if I was more frustrated by a poor internet connection, or the poor Packers defense