Views From Our Kayak: Salt Springs Run

Green Heron

Woke up with no idea about where to go today. My wife said she was staying home and I wished she told me last night. I would have gone to Weekie Wachee. Wekiva River was my first thought but we were there recently. Alexander Creek? Not a Saturday. De Leon Springs? That will happen this Friday. OK. Decided to go in a recon mission and kayak Salt Springs Run that did result in not the best trip I can remember. Any place that involves air boats will have to be out of the curve for me to consider it good(i.e De Leon Springs and Spring Garden Creek). Tried to make the most of it since it was a good day to be out but at the end of the day the result is a so so paddle.

Salt Springs Run

Put In / Take Out: The put in for this trip is one of the few things that impressed me on this ocassion. It was the Salt Springs Marina located at 25711 NE 134th Place in Salt Springs. It was the take out too. The fee is $5.00 per person( or maybe it is per vehicle...cannot remember now). From where I parked to the water was less than 150 feet. Sweeeeeeeet!!!!!!!!!!

Red Shouldered Hawk

The water is clear and I was surprised on how wide is this run, which makes this paddle an open water paddle. It is like that until you are close to Lake George, where it ends. There was no wildlife to take pics, unless you count all the mullets jumping around. Wasted several minutes trying to catch one in mid air and did not come even close. Ospreys and Red Shouldered hawks were circling the area and did shoot some pics but I am not my wife...most of the pics were POCs. Coots and moorhens were all over the run. At one point I thought that the only thing I was going to be able to shoot pics at were these things.

Osprey

Green Heron

Traffic in the run was heavy. Motor boats coming and going and most of them reduced speed when they were near me, a nice gesture. The run has two No Wake sections; one near the spring and the other one near Lake George. Did paddle for several minutes until had a chance for a pic. A green heron was in the south side of the run and it was almost pic friendly since flew away after two of them. A few meters ahead another Green Heron was trying to find something to eat. That one was very pic friendly. Funny thing is that it is not a bird I see on every paddle. Saw it today six different times, two of them on the fly.

Time for the Did You Know That? of this post....

Did You Know That?
The Green Heron has an old nickname and it is Shitepoke, in reference to the technique it uses to catch fish. It uses fecal material, twigs and even feathers to lure the prey. It is not elegant, not stylish but it works for the Green Heron.

Red Shouldered Hawk

The run is mostly wide but it narrows as you get close to Lake George. There are also areas where you can take a break and land. As I paddled the first one thought about stopping but at the moment did not know how far to the lake. It was in front of this area where a Red Shouldered Hawk gave me a chance for pics.Paddled by another area to stop and another one, this one with two air boats already on it. I decided to wait on my return trip. I mean, what were the chances for the three of them to be occupied at the same time. I cannot be that unlucky. Can I?

End of Salt Springs Run at Lake George

Taking about air boats those darn things are a plague. There was a moment when one idiot in an air boat was apparently upset since had to reduced speed when passed near where I was. As soon as it was in front of me put all the power back and splashed water in my direction. I know he did it on purpose because both the captain and the passenger looked back laughing. They thought it was funny. Finally I made it to Lake George. Would have stopped there for a break but there were too many boats. Many families just passing a good day and/or fishing. Took a pick of a Tri Colored Heron that was wading on the North side and started my paddle back. At this time I was looking forward for some minutes in the shade and found those minutes in one of the landing spots I paddled by earlier. Stretch my legs, had a sandwich and enjoyed the view for several minutes. A boat with law enforcer officers came by, the second time in almost a year that I see officers while paddling. The first time was at Weekie Wachee.

Salt Springs Run

Made it back to the Salt Springs Marina almost at 4:30PM. Thought about snorkeling the spring or going to Silver Glen, which I saw on my way to Salt Springs. Did not do any of that. Too tired. As I mentioned, not the best paddle. I am glad wifey stayed at home. She would not have liked this one. I know her. Here are more pics of what I saw today.