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,
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