Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run

Mostly Wekiva. I went to Wekiwa Springs State Park today, Sunday July 13, 2008. It was free admission day for all Florida State Parks, something that almost caused me to pick a non-State Park paddle. But, I needed to update my annual pass, so of I went. Besides, I had not paddled the Wekiva from the State Park since April.

I was in the water shortly before 9, which got me out before the rental concession opened. I had the River to myself. Perhaps this otter knew the light traffic would not last.

So it was ok having one boat follow it, taking pictures. The otter got tired of me, so I continued on. Passed the Wekiva Marina at 9:30, just as the first rentals from that location were going out. I paddled fast to get out in front, slowing down to take this photo.

My camera is clearer than my eyes. I know there was something atop the big gator, but thought weeds. I saw it was a young gator, and took more pictures. One of my readers emailed me a similar photo from the Wekiva a few months ago. Her photo had three babies. I wonder if this is the survivor. Of course, kids eventually leave home, as this fella is doing here.

Upon arriving at the Indian/party/rope swing mound, I discovered I was not the only person on the River.

Or in it. Alligators are not far away. Two minutes, according to my camera, when I saw this juvenile.

I saw many birds. Green, blue, great blue and tri-colored herons. A lot of the blue herons were young- that is not blue, but white. Dozens of great egrets flying overhead. Pileated woodpeckers, belted kingfishers, ibis, limpkins, anhingas and osprey. Here are two examples.

Here is a tri colored heron, top knot hanging from the back of its head.

Same bird, profile.

Continuing the multiple pose theme, here's an osprey eyeing the River and preparing to take off.

The osprey shots were taken after I turned around, at the 2 hour mark. The only people I had seen since the rope swingers were three motor boats. All slowed when passing. One of the three is going to lose his prop if he continues to operate as he was. Although he slowed to pass me, he opened it up on the narrow, twisting, full of submerged objects, River. People may think they "know" the River, but it changes constantly.

I encountered paddlers after the turn. That far downstream, I assume most were headed to Katie's Landing and shuttling back. The assumption proved correct for two groups, one which asked for far to Katie's, the other asking how far to "the end". What to you mean by "the end", I replied. "Where they pick you up" Two hours. One of the canoers seemed disappointed. But what better place to spend 3.5 to 4 hours, with views like this.

The Buffalo Tram campsite was unoccupied, so I stopped for lunch. Upstream, traffic began to pick up. Over a dozen canoes and kayaks, from both the Park and the Marina were beached at the Indian Mound. A couple motor boats as well.

Another alligator.

This one was far from the Mound, past the Marina. Here the traffic got busy, with renters from two locations about a mile apart. I knew how to avoid it. Go up Rock Springs Run. Which was blessedly empty, until, I came upon a string of five canoes headed upstream. I bided my time and passed them. Then I encountered a large group coming downstream. They passed, and I correctly assumed the renters coming upstream would soon turn around. They did. I always hope for a deer or bear sighting on the Run. No such luck. Good bird pics, however.

The green heron was kind enough to wait for me as I changed battery packs. I spent almost 90 minutes on Rock Springs Run, most of it on the way back as I drifted, with a corrective stroke here and there. I beached the yak about 3, another six hour paddle. As I prepared to drag the yak up the hill, I heard one of the workers say all the canoes were out, but kayaks were available. I'd wager the Park made money this "free" day. Just as last Sunday, I told myself I'd take a dip in the Spring if a parking space were available as I drove by. I pulled out of my space, quickly occupied by a waiting vehicle, and did find a space near the Spring. It felt great, if too crowded for any pictures. So I'll close with another picture of an great egret from Rock Springs Run showing an ibis (lower right corner, better look in photo above) proper grooming.

Juniper Creek

Last night, I thought about where to paddle today, Saturday, June 12, 2008. Under consideration were two old favorites, the Hillsborough and Weeki Wachee, and a new paddle (for me, other than brief visits from the Silver River) the Ocklawaha. A look at weather.com showed Tampa having the least chance of rain, 40%, so I was set to go to the Hillsborough.

Until, I clicked a few other links http://davesyaktales.blogspot.com/2008/01/juniper-creek.html and, http://www.clubkayak.com/greenwave/showpage.asp?page=0630juniper

and discovered Juniper Wayside had been reopened for launching. My paddling plan changed. I had to go to Juniper Creek. I intended to continue launching from the Wayside despite the ban, figuring the odds of getting "caught" are slim. I've never seen an authority figure at the Wayside when launching, but it is nice to know I, and all paddlers, can put in without worrying about being fined. There was no change at the Wayside from my last visit, tape still covered the "Unloading" part of this sign.

I was in Juniper Creek at 7:20. As reported previously, Juniper Creek is not the best birding paddle. Perhaps because over half is thick forest, so they are hard to see. But there were several limpkins, including this one, looking for a hard object to crack the shell.

Juniper is one of my top places to see deer, and I did today.

Deer are bigger than birds, so are easier to see in the woods. The two above were together, one had been resting, not standing when I first saw it. I saw no other deer after this pair.

I did see several alligators, I'd say eight. Which is more than I usually see on Juniper Creek. Saw plenty of fish, bass, bluegills, gar, mullet. Smelled fish as well. Then I saw the source of the smell. You can't see it, but this gator had a fish in its jaw.

I passed the half way point, and beyond, before seeing the first people coming downstream from the Juniper Creek Recreation Area. Fifteen to twenty. Two very interesting canoes. Blind folks in the bow, a paddling guide in the stern. Made me think of the sounds, smells and feel of the Creek.

I arrived at the Recreation Area at 10:30 and headed straight to the Spring. Not yet overrun at this hour, but still plenty of activity. Had to cut my dive over the main vent short, to avoid divers and jumpers from the deck. Swam through the eel grass, hoping to see an eel, no luck today. This is a secondary vent.

Raccoons are a constant presence in the picnic area adjacent to Juniper Spring.

With one eye on the raccoon, I had a sandwich then strolled over to Fern Hammock Springs.

If you know of a prettier site in Florida, let me know. I reboarded the yak about 12:15 and made my way downstream. I timed it so I had the Creek to myself and wildlife for over an hour.

I like the limpkin's eye peering through the branch. Sometimes I just get lucky. I took it easy downstream, in order to have the Creek to myself. Eventualy I passed eight paddlers, causing me to think, if I was going slow....

This section was much eaiser downstream.

Here is the obligatory turtle on log shot.

Birds seen, in addition to the pictured limpkins and cardinal, were great egret, great blue heron, pileated woodpeckers (several), red shouldered hawks and a red tailed hawk.

I took the same amount of time coming downstream as I had paddling up, three hours. The atmosphere at the Wayside certainly is different now that the no swimming rule is enforced, and the dirt parking area on the opposite bank blocked off. Once a boy scout troop left, and then the Rec Area shuttle (after I told him it would be awhile before anyone else arrived), I was the only one at the Wayside on a July Saturday afternoon. Drizzling, but still, what a change.

At the top of the post, I have links to my site and Green Wave on the Wayside being opened to launching, here is a link to old fashioned media, the Ocala paper. http://www.ocala.com/article/20080712/NEWS/807120332

Blackwater Creek

Today, July 9, 2008 I got a short paddle in on Blackwater Creek after work. May as well get full value from my Seminole State Forest permit, which expired today. Three visits during the six days the free permit was valid. I left work at 5:30, came home to get the kayak and a sandwich, and was in the Creek at 6:55. I doubt I would have arrived much earlier if I had the yak on the car all day at work, due to rush hour traffic patterns.

I saw a couple Florida scrub jays as I drove to the launch. At the launch, just as on the 4th, and 6th, an alligator greeted me. This time, it had a friend. I did not get any critter photos this short paddle. In addition to the two gators, I saw a great egret, great blue heron., blue heron, limpkins, and turkey. And four more alligators. Or maybe three, perhaps the one I saw as we both headed upstream was one I saw on the way down. Other than the two I saw a the start, which languidly floated on the surface, until I got in the Creek, the others burst into the water on my approach. This is the view from the launch site.

Don't look for the alligators, this was taken after I landed, about 8:30.

I do not recall seeing an alligator swim as fast, or with as big a wake, as the one that I saw going upstream. It was a big'un, looked about 2 feet across as it churned the Creek for what seemed several minutes. In real time, it was probably no more than a minute before it went under, and more than likely, I paddled over it.

On the 4th, I saw 10 people in the Forest, Sunday, 6, tonight, 3. I think I may do this after work thing a few more times this summer. Not necessarily at Blackwater Creek. Stay tuned.

Blackwater Creek

I know you are expecting a Wekiva River report to complete the "Red (Rock Springs Run) White (Wekiva) and Blue (Blackwater Creek) weekend. Well, yesterday while dodging canoes paddling the short section of the Wekiva from Rock Springs Run back to Wekiwa Springs State Park, I decided that would be the "White" paddle and I would take advantage of my State Forest permit, good for 6 days and return to Blackwater Creek.

Friday I saw 10 people, today 6. Half of whom, two campers and the Ranger, I saw Friday. Another familiar face was the alligator that greeted and saw me off Friday. It was there when I arrived at 8:00 am , when I stopped after going down and up stream, and again when I ended the day at 1:00 pm.

Since this is the second post in 3 days on Blackwater, I'll just post pictures without comment.

I have to comment about alligators. On the way downstream, one bigger than this leaped, ok ran fast, into the Creek with a splash. "Holy shit !" (sorry Mom). Reason (it is running away from me) goes out the window when a large toothy reptile enters the water in a hurry. In contrast, for a moment I thought the one pictured was dead. It did not budge as I snapped pictures, finally sliding all the way into the Creek.

I paid a short visit to Rock Springs Run State Reserve after I left the Seminole State Forest. The Reserve is about a 1/2 mile to a mile west, on the other side of Highway 46. Wildlife does not need to cross the Highway, fences funnel critters to a tunnel under the road. The Reserve is very basic. A paved road maybe 3/4 of a mile long, with several grass parking lots at trail heads.

I drove to the end, took a short hike, hoping to see a deer, or even bear. No deer this weekend.

The Reserve's web page, at the very top states "No water access" Apparently people come here thinking it is Kelly Park, the popular Orange County tubing site. I assume the folks I saw parked on the road, side by side, talking were so misinformed. It was confirmed when I saw the inner tube in the back seat as they sped past me. (of course, they could have thought, that idiot has a kayak on his car)

Rock Springs Run

See the dark shape in the above picture ? It's a Florida black bear. First one I've seen since last July on Alexander Creek, and so the first on Dave's Yak Tales. This is the fifth time I've seen a bear or bears, on Rock Springs Run. Which is one reason why Rock Springs Run is my favorite paddle. If you are a frequent visitor to Dave's Yak Tales, you already know that. This is my 11th Rock Springs Run post, plus a few Wekiva River paddles with a brief detour up the Run.





A line had already formed at the gate to Wekiwa Springs State Park this day after the 4th, Saturday, July 5, 2008, anticipating the 8:00 am opening. After dragging the yak down the long sandy hill, I was in the water at 8:20. A small alligator swam just off the launch area, a green heron clucked, and flew off for a better perch. I saw two more green herons on Wekiva as I paddled towards Rock Springs Run. No pictures. Here are pictures of a few birds on the Run.

Apparently the limpkin has a hard time making friends. I could not make friends, because other than two canoes returning from a campsite, I saw no one for two hours, more than halfway. Just the way I like it. Paddlers began coming down from King's Landing. I paused to let a train of six or seven canoes pass. A few were looking to their left. One guy said "alligator". A gentleman passing me said there was a bear. Where ? His left. I paddled up stream, and asked a canoer, ground or tree ? Seemed like an obvious question but the paddler looked perplexed. The bear, I began to explain, then I saw it, lying on the ground about 10 yards into the forest.

I maneuvered to get a better view. The thick vegetation, saw palmetto and other foliage obscured the view, so you'll have to trust me. The black lump is the bear. You can see an ear in this shot.

I missed the picture when the bear got up, and looked toward me, lighter color fur on the nose. It then walked parellel to the run for a few steps, turned and ambled deep into the woods.

I ambled on myself, continuing upstream. Passed King's Landing, going up the beautiful. clear upper Run where few people venture, until I saw this.

The plastic chain extended across the narrow Run. I ducked below and continued. Who, or what, thinks they have the right to block a navigable waterway ? It could be Orange County. A site called "Third landing" is a short paddle up from the sign. It's a picnic area for County employees, a non- public part of Kelly Park. It is already posted. But the waterway ? I need to investigate further. I planned to turn around at third landing anyway, and I did. As I drifted, I thought of several places that, I'm glad I visited before they were posted. Fern Hammock, Rainbow Swamp Springs Run, the landing area on the Hontoon Dead River, Juniper Wayside, now this. The moral is, get out and paddle now, you may be denied access later.

Here's the photo that would have led off this Tale if not for the bear.

Or maybe this one.

After the hard, almost 4 hour trip upstream, I planned to take it easy downstream. That changed when I heard voices and the clang of canoe paddle on aluminum behind me. I had two choices, let the pass me, or paddle hard to put some distance between us. I chose the later. It paid off.

Thats an otter's head at the bottom of the log. One of three. Next, three views of an alligator

Approaching.

Passing.

Looking back.

Gotta have a turtle shot,

and a great blue heron.

Bear, otters, alligators, would I see a deer ? No. But 1 bear and three otters is a fair trade. The last half mile or so of Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva up to the Park was packed with paddlers. I'm glad I got the early start and did the upstream paddle. I landed a bit past 4, almost eight hours on the water. I dragged the yak up the mountain and decided I would only take a dip in the crowded Spring if I was able to snag a parking space. There was a space. The swim was very refreshing, and I only bumped into one other person.

After my swim, I took a short walk on the "Wet to Dry" boardwalk and headed home from my favorite place to paddle.

Blackwater Creek

I kayaked Blackwater Creek this Independence Day, July 4, 2008, launching from the Seminole State Forest. I last did this trip in May, 2005, and have longed to do it ever since. The Forest is not far away, just across the Wekiva River. However, a permit is required to paddle, and I had been unable to obtain one. Until today.



The permit has the combination to a locked gate. The launch site is two miles down a dirt road. An alligator floated on the surface and a hawk screeched as I put in at 7 am. I would have been there earlier, but missed the freeway exit, engrossed in NRR's annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=92108861&m=92236752




I paddled upstream, in search of Moccasin Spring, which I knew was near a campsite. After 15-20 minutes, passing ibis and limpkins, I saw a metal pole. Why is that there ? To mark the campsite.

No one was camping, so I landed, and found the spring, adjacent to the campsite.

The series of posts are the remnants of a logging road, or "tram". I dipped by feet in- to drown the biting ants on my left ankle.

The campsite has a picnic table, fire ring and grill.

More amenities than the primitive sites along the Wekiva and Rock Springs Run, which only have a bench and a fire ring.

I turned around, headed downstream, past the put in.

Blackwater Creek is a beautiful, tree lined water way.

The trees tend to topple, so I was unable to reach the Wekiva, which was my plan. 90 minutes from the launch site, I was forced to retreat. After lunch at the launch, I continued past the campsite, until another tree blocked the way upstream. Back at the campsite, now occupied, I chatted with the campers, asking how far it was from the parking area to the site. 200-300 yards. Not to bad- I think I may be camping here someday. For me, this site is better than the primitive sites on Rock Springs Run and Wekiva. More amenities, I can drive to it, a major plus with my leaky yak, less traffic on the water. I saw ten people all day, none were on the Creek.

I could leave all my food in a cooler in the car, reducing bear worries. If/when I do camp, you'll read about it here.

A few more Blackwater photos.

I was on the Creek, including lunch, for about 5.5 hours. After, I drove on the Forest Roads to the parking area for the Moccasin Springs campsite. I found it. Next step- contact the Division for the next available Saturday.

I finished my visit taking a stroll around Bear Pond. A "borrow pit" which has been stocked and has a nice metal fishing pier.

Another version of this Tale with additional pictures, is on the Green Wave Forum.

http://www.clubkayak.com/greenwave/trips.asp?op=showtrip&trip=229