Dave's Yak Tales: Cedar Key, Sunday, March 23

Tour of the grounds, 7:30

I chatted with the owner. The cottages were built in the 1950's for the same purpose they are used for now. Inexpensive lodging. She is selling it wanting to do something else after 17 years. Offers have been received. I did not ask amounts, or make one. I did make a 2 ham and rolls. One for breakfast, one in the cooler for lunch. Burned the breakfast bun in the toaster. Note to self for my next visit, coffee is supplied. I will visit again, especially this time of year when Park Place has higher rates. And, I can get one of the cottages with a full kitchen. And a water view. If not the one with the pier.

On the water at 5 past 10

Trying to get dolphin photos.

Told the clamers they'd be famous

Good sized pod, about 8 dolphins

Clam farmers work their lease

Cormorant

I paddled further south than I ever have, before turning back.

Great horned owl nest, with young

Landed for the photo below.

And a few more

Wondered if the far off birds were eagles, or vultures. The latter, likely. Paddled towards them but it was a long way, so I turned back

Scale Key eagle

I heard someone yell, "Wow!" A kayak in the distance. And a fishing boat. I thought the anglers landed a big one.

As I paddled closer to the kayaker, I saw dolphin making a wake in the Number 3 Channel. It went out to the Gulf. I failed to get a photo. I got near the kayaker, it had been her "Wow". Her best dolphin experience, ever. A pod swam under her kayak. Not once, but a couple of times.

I had a nice chat with Pam? as we paddled back towards town. She lives on the water, on a canal in Boyton Beach, FL, but Cedar Key provided a thrill of a lifetime.

This is where I was when it crashed. Landed at 1:35

Darn snowbirds and spring breakers. All four covered picnic tables, with their electric outlets, were occupied. As was the big shelter, with a birthday party. I was forced to sit under palm trees. Which were too far away from Park Place to get the wi fi signal. So, I moved to the gazebo and downloaded a few photos.

Then, I went for a bike ride.

A gentleman pointed out my tires were low. I kept going.

Obligatory Honeymoon Cottage photo

But not far, as it was slow going.

I was on the trail bike, not the road bike.

My original plan for the weekend was to paddle the Hillsborough, maybe bike the Wilderness Park trails, then catch the air show in Tampa. I changed my mind, but not bikes

Big Deck Raw Bar

Big Dave's Kayak. A short, slow, 30 minute ride.

Before I got back in the water, Tom, the kayak concession owner, said "Jed tells me you come all the way from Orlando!?! Do you drive back at night" I told him if I am here two or more days, I spend the night.

No dolphins on the way to Astena Otie

No eagles at the nest

This crab trap was moving. Against the current. Must have been a big one. Or more.

I paddled across the water to the Number 3 Channel. Thinking I might find dolphins as tide was coming in.

They were back, and hungry.

I have had single dolphins swim under me several times.

But never a hungry pod, charging after fish

They were pretty close before diving under me at the last moment. The yak rocked, I was splashed, it was great!

video

For a while, it was just the dolphins and I. The way they work together, herding their pray, slapping the surface with their tails, is amazing to watch. I should buy a GoPro camera. That's one you mount on your bike handle bars, or helmet, or kayak.

Two kayaks came into the area, so I went to find eagles.

Some of the dolphins joined me

The dolphins were on the prowl. All the way to within sight of the Number 3 Bridge. Through narrow passages through the mangroves only accessible at high tide

Back to the Scale Key nest

Into the Number 2 Channel. No longer with dolphins

Paddling past the wreck. No spoonbills, a flock of buffle head ducks.

I came back to the Channel, and into the Nature's Landing waterway. Home of the black crowned night heron roost. And, today, spoonbills. One flew over my head. I turn a narrow corner, and, there, in front of me, were half a dozen pink birds.