Wekiva River and Blackwater Creek

I entered a State Park from its main, land entrance, for the first time in a six weeks.  Katie's Landing, in the Lower Wekiva River State Preserve.   Arrived before it opened at 8.  Which I have done before, and the gate has always been opened.  By the nice volunteer couple.  So, I waited for them to arrive. They did not, at least when I was there.  But, the gate is on a timer, as, at 8 AM, it swung open.  Katie's Landing is on the honor system for payment.  I put my Annual Pass on the dash.

On the Wekiva at 8:12.  An ibis

And, a roseate spoonbill!  First time I have seen one on the Wekiva River.

I never knew turkeys could be so colorful

Green heron chicks

Live, I could not figure out what the object in the gator's mouth was.  Plant? Fish?

It was not until it was on the laptop that I saw it was a snake.

Diving swallowtail kite

Another spring run?  Did not notice this on Thursday.

Before this one. That due to low water, I saw on Thursday, for the first time

Took 2 hours 8 minutes down River paddling to arrive at Blackwater Creek

Up Creek paddle

Some one has been to my break spot. I did not take a break, yet.  Wanted to keep going and find baby alligators

Mom?

Found some babies. Almost always do, in this area

Break, out of the kayak.  I expected this to be completely dry.  It was on one of my last visits, when the Creek was higher

Swamp lily

More babies

Back on the Wekiva River after almost 2 hours on Blackwater Creek

So far, gators had been skittish.  I saw twice as many as I had photos of.  Maybe, now, with the sun high in the sky, they would stay put.

The gators read my mind

Alligators of all sizes

Spoonbill, a million gators, and a deer. And just 2 people

Checking out the smaller possible spring run.  Footing was not very good. Someone else's footprints.

Back in the kayak

I may have seen more gators than I even have on the Wekiva.  Less water for them to be under, and no boat traffic

Landed at 2:24

Went for a walk

 I do not remember the trail being so sandy for so long. Not that I walked very far.

 Thirty minute walk.

 You think they could have put the emergency contact numbers on the bottom of the beautiful Eagle Scott painting and history of Katies Landing,