Silver River

Starting down the canal from Ray's Wayside at 7:45 AM

On the Silver River.  Shit! where is my drybag.  My other one. I should have two on the bow. Did it fall in?  I hope not. I better have dropped it back at the launch.  Spare camera batteries, memory cards, credit card. State Park Annual pass, cash, car and house keys... would suck to not find it. 

 Found it!

Now I was ready to paddle up the Silver River

Very clear as we are coming to the end of the dry season.  2 days later, about an inch and a half of rain in Orlando

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. Juvenile night heron

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Adult black crowned night heron

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Iris in bloom

Pileated woodpecker

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First swallow tail kite of the season. One of three, soaring overhead

State Park kayak launch. 3 miles up River.  I saw just 2 people up to this point.

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Nesting anhingas

Alligator waiting for hatchlings to fall from the nest

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I was at Silver Springs for Springsfest, so I knew it would be crowded.

But busier than I expected at the head springs boat ramp.

.Monkey on the boardwalk

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Azaleas 

Music as you enter the Park

The Honey Hounds on the Twin Oaks Stage

An original Honey Hounds tune

 

Tram ride

Brisket

I also had pulled pork nachos

The two feedings were 2 hours apart

More monkeys from the boardwalk

Back in the kayak at 3:12

5:31 landed at Rays Wayside

6:01 on the road in the camping parcel of Silver Springs State Park. I should say, and cabins. My home for the weekend

The blue and yellow posts at each cabin parking area may be a coincidence, but,

Glory to Ukraine!