Wekiva River

I was thinking of going to Playalinda today, but with manatees at Wekiwa Springs, I returned to Wekiwa Springs State Park for the second consecutive day.

It was 40 degrees at 7 AM. I hoped a manatee or 2 would be in the Spring swim area. None were.

I saw the whitetail of a whitetail deer as I launched my kayak. I slowly paddled along the right bank, did not see it again. Slowly paddled along, keeping my eyes and ears open for manatees. Did not see any, until I was almost out of the lagoon.

Saw two manatees. One swam under me, the other was feeding on the shoreline.

As the air temperature was 25-30 degrees colder than the water, steam was thick on the Wekiva River.

The steam cleared at the confluence with Rock Springs Run, as cooler water joined the Wekiva.

Wekiva Island.

Shell Mound

This may be the firdt bald eagle I've seen on this section of the Wekiva River.

Warmed up enough for a gator to come out.

Another shell mound. One of 4 that I know of on this ection of the Wekiva.

In the old days, there was not a sign directing you to Buffalo Tram. You had to look for the tram posts. I paddled on the wrong side of islands in the river and had to double back more than once. But I knew how to find it without a sign.

No one was camping a Buffalo Tram, so I landed and walked around.

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