Ichetucknee River and Spring

I took a Friday off and began a 3 day plus weekend at the last take out in Ichetucknee Springs State Park.

 Had I known what the weather was going to be like, I would have gone south.  It was 22 degrees in nearby High Springs in the wee hours.  But, it was cold everywhere. 48 in Key West.

All the toilets, and urinals, had these stakes in them.  In case of freezing?

 29 when I got on the spring fed Ichetucknee at 8:30.   Probably a few degrees warmer on the water Still, the coldest temps I have paddled.  Wore real shoes and socks in the kayak for the first time in a couple years.  T-shirt, Packer turtle neck, and windbreaker on top.  Windbreaker pants.

 

 At first I thought this was a pair of otters, or maybe, a beaver.

 Until I got closer to and saw the snorkel

Coffee Spring.  Home to the Ichetucknee silt snail.

 

Pileated woodpecker

I wore gloves, but they soon got wet, so I took them off.  Living in Florida means only having cheap gloves from the dollar store, not some good water resistant ones.

Saw two deer, River left.

 Taking the picture of the wood stork when I noticed something below my kayak

 

 

 

 There were 8 manatees at the mouth of a spring run.  Too shallow to go very far up the run, so a good spot to stay warm.

 

 

video

 

 

 Coots

Devils Eye Spring

 

 

 Beaver dam

 

 Arrived at the Ichtucknee Springs State Park dock at 10:52. It was occupied.

 I did not get out. Still too cool for a swim.  Either intentionally in the springs, or unintentionally if I capsized getting out, or back into, the kayak.

A look towards Ichetucknee Spring and up the stairs, before turning around.

 

 Pie billed grebe

 

 Back at Devils Eye Spring

 

 

 

Moor hens

 More coots

 Duck weed

Snowy egret scratches the itch on the Ich

 

 

 Paddling through these trees caused me to miss something.

 

Not turtles

 

 

 

The Dampiers Landing dock.  How had I missed the manatees? I turned around, paddled back up River.

 

I had paddled on the wrong side o a tree island, missing the sprig run.

 About half of the morning herd was still there

 

 

 

 

 

I first kayaked the Ichetucknee River in September, 2005. Did not see a manatee until March, 2013. Curious,  I searched the worldwideinternetweb and found that Lars Anderson, of Adventure Outpost is asking people to report manatees outside the boundaries of Ichetcucknee Springs State Park.  In Park reports should be sent to Ginger Morgan.  I sent Ms. Morgan a video.

Feb 23

David-

Thank you very much for reporting your manatee observation (and providing video!).  I hope that you have a GREAT day on the river!

The manatees certainly have frequented the river more recently with our increased water levels since Tropical Storm Debbie in 2012.

 

Did you notice any gar spawning activity on your paddle trip??   

 

Ginger Morgan

 

Park Biologist

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

12087 SW US Hwy 27

Fort White, Florida  32038

Office:  (386) 497-4690

Cell:     (386) 208-4313

Fax:     (386) 497-3095

Ginger.Morgan@dep.state.fl.us

 

There is a shoal where the Ichetucknee meets the Santa Fe River.  That prevents manatees from entering the Ich unless the water is high.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More sign of, but not sight of, beavers

 

Landed at 1:35

 Back at the North entrance, overlooking Ichetucknee Spring, at 2:15

 

 Into the Spring

 

 

 

 

 

Got out, and took the trail to Blue Hole Spring

Did not swim.  High temp for the day was 53. Blue Hole is much more shaded than Ichetucknee Spring

 

 

 

More to come969

 

 

 

 

Back at Ichetucknee Spring

 

I need to see if Cannon Creek is navigable

My room at the High Springs Country Inn