Dave's Yak Tales

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Rock Springs Run and Wekiwa Springs State Park

Today, August 21, 2012, was the day this month I work 1/2 a day, play 1/2 a day. I will work Saturday morning. I went to Wekiwa Springs State Park. Which gets shared billing for all the deer I saw. After kayaking.

Orange County schools started class Monday, Seminole County, last week. So, less crowded at the State Park. I asked the gent at the canoe beach if Joanne and Pam were back from their clean up. They are volunteers who care a lot about the Wekiva and Rock Springs Run."About an hour ago". A brief chat about the weather, 60 chance of rain, the skies were partly cloudy, and I said, "Lots of time for the rain to come", and I was underway. 2 PM

No alligators on the log where I have seen at least one every visit since February.

Great egret down River from the confluence with Rock Springs Run. I made the left turn to paddle up Run.

This will be the last good photo for a while. It was here that I took the photo that opens the Tale. I heard chirping noises near the opened mouth gator. Too big for that sound. I paddled back for another look. Babies, scurrying off the bank into the Run.

Rain sprinkled down. It then became dark. Very dark. Rain came down harder. And harder. And harder still. Difficult to see through it. And not because my glasses got wet. My cap has a long visor. The occasional lightning flash provide some light. I paddled past Otter Camp, thinking of stopping at Big Buck. The yak was filling with water, enough to float my water bottle and sunglasses. I stopped at Indian Mound.

Stood under the lowest trees at the campsite. Palms, the fronds provided an umbrella. It let up, so I got back on the water.

My turn around point. Just inside where the tree canopy reestablishes up Run from Big Buck Camp.

Clearing. Both trees and rain.

The Run is higher than it has been in at least two years. There is a stump, just past Otter Camp. It is underwater for the first time since the summer of 2010. Also warm, from the rain and summer heat.

This tree looks much nicer without dumb asses jumping off it.

Landed at 6:40. Unloaded a few things I picked up along the way.

Having a kayak means you never have to buy a bobber.
I did not see any deer during the paddle. I thought perhaps the high water level had them moving to higher, drier, ground. After pulling the kayak up the hill and getting on the roof of the car, I drove to Sand Lake to test that theory.

I think I proved my theory. Got out of the car at the Sand Lake parking lot. Actually, I got out of it on the way to get better photos. Got out to walk around the small lake.

I hoped the two bucks would pose in front of the Apopka Sportsman's Club monument. Which has a buck on it.

Improvised bridge.

Back in the car.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Canaveral National Seashore, Mosquito Lagoon

I cheated. The opening photo was not taken from the kayak. From the launch area after I landed after a short paddle in the Mosquito Lagoon. Cut short by wind.

At the Seashore entrance, I asked about getting an Annual Pass. Which, according to this http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/EntranceFees.pdf is 20 dollars. The 15 dollar Duck Stamp price taken of the $35 Pass cost. I was told that only applies during duck hunting season. Hmmm, that's not what the link states. It is a proposal, so maybe it was changed. On the way out, I went into the Visitor Center, asked again. Same answer. Neither person asked, nor did I think of asking, about the cost with a Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge Pass, which I also have. I just sent an email to the Seashore for clarifiacation. I'll let you know what the answer is. Should I get one.

On the Lagoon at 9:35. Strong north breeze. I paddled into it. Two kayak anglers were on the water. Headed to the same area I was. The old dock pilings between the launch site and the Eldora dock. A manatee hangout. And, good structure for fish. Not wanting to bother the fisherfolk, I paddled on.

An area behind islands provided shelter from the wind. I went to a little cove that manatees frequent, empty. Saw a few green herons and several great egrets.

And brown pelicans

Don't know what was splashing here, the great egret took off from the trees. Probably mullet.

If you use your magnifying glass, you may see a dorsal fin. I tried, but failed, to get a good pic of a dolphin off Castle Windy. Which lived up to the second half of its name.

Caste Windy is a shell mound. Perhaps the "Castle" part refers to mound's height.. I followed the dolphin a bit past it, the turned around. A manatee popped its head up.

Saw more great egrets, and a snowy. Near the unknown bird, above.

Eldora State House

The anglers were in the same spot. A good one, as a boat house blocks the wind. I asked if there were sheepshead in the pilings. No, today it was mangrove snapper. The gentleman said they saw manatees. I paddled a little ways past the launch site and saw three or four manatees.