De Leon Springs - Spring Garden Creek

Swallow-Tailed Kite

This week is a special one for me. My Mom came to spend some time with us after more than a year without coming. My wife wanted to take her to one of the springs we have visited, not for kayaking, but to show Mom the beauty of this area. We agreed that De Leon Springs was the correct place because the enclosed area where the spring is. Mom can take a dip in the cool (for her) water without being worry of those "ugly things" (aka alligators). For a couple of days I thought about not kayaking at all since we visited De Leon Springs not so long ago. But today decided to go for a short paddle on Spring Garden Creek out of De Leon Springs. It was another solo paddle since my wife said she did not want to go today. Thought about taking Mom with me but she declined the offer.

Spring Garden Creek view

Put In / Take Out: For the put in and take out information, and for the location of this great place please check our previous post on De Leon Spring - Spring Garden Creek.

Tri-Colored Heron

Moorhen

For some reason the guard did not give me the combination for the lock, that was closed. Maybe it is closed Saturdays and remains like that. The park was crowded at that time with  almost all the people populating the area near the restrooms. Divers, swimmers, people just enjoying the spring, and a solo kayaker...At 8:55 I was in the water on my way to Spring Garden Creek. This time did not spend too much time outside the spring and went directly to the creek. That was a tricky thing. The water is sometimes very shallow and depending the route you take it can be easy or a pain in the eye, specially with the methane coming out from the bottom. Since we have done this trip a few times I already know which way to go and it is the long route. You have to head south to the Spring Garden Lake close to the houses on the east. Once you pass the last house area turn right and cross the lake towards the creek. The water is deeper along that route and your kayak(or canoe) will probably move better in the water.

Spring Garden Creek flora

Anhinga

Wildlife wise was not the best paddle I have had at Spring Garden Creek. Today it was hard to spot something and it was like that all the time. There were some spots here and there where birds were visible but , compared to our other trips this one was below average. At one moment I said to myself, at least there are not motor boats. Famous last words...after that it was a parade...one after the other. All of them were polite and reduced speed near me. All but three idiots, that kept going like it was the Daytona 500. I hope they arrived late wherever they were going. Some fishermen having a nice time( saw one reeling in one good sized fish) along the creek but they are not a nuisance. The weather was good, not perfect, to paddle today at least during the morning. On my way down creek there was no wind, which decide to appear as a head wind on my way back. Ran out of luck there but it was not too bad.

Great Egret

Alligator

Today did not make it to Lake Woodruff. Turned around at the area where the pontoon boat used to be, near the Manatee sign. In that area went for one pick and came out with two. Spotted a gator in the bank, a small one, and did paddle closer to have a good shot. Took one pic and when tried to shoot the next a hawk screamed. That put the gator in full alarm mode and jumped into the water like 20 feet away from me. But then had the hawk there and, while it was not easy, was able to shoot some pics. It is harder when you had to handle the yak and the camera and the wind is pushing you away from your target. On my way back to De Leon Springs did not stop to smell the flowers. Wanted to go back and spend some time with Mom. Fifteen minutes into the return trip saw a Swallow-Tailed Kite flying over the north bank. By the time the camera was out it was out of sight. But some minutes later saw it again, or maybe it was the same one, flying high this time over the south bank. Was able to shoot some pics, nothing to call home about, but got at least a couple of decent ones. Since we are talking about Swallow-Tailed Kites...time for Did You Know That?

Did You Know That?: Swallow-Tailed Kites are among the most adept and acrobatic fliers of all raptors. They are found in USA, Central and South America. Usually eats insects but will feed on small birds, nestlings, reptiles and amphibians. The Swallow-Tailed Kites build nest at the top of tall trees. Both male and female share the duties on the nest. When two eggs are laid the first chick to hatch will usually kill the younger chick. Its name is derived from a Latin-Greek hybridization of the words elanus (kite) , eidos (to resemble or be similar), and forfex (scissors) in obvious reference to the forked tail. I had no idea of any of this.

Swallow-Tailed Kite

By now you are maybe bored of all the things I am writing so let me cut it to the chase. Here are more pics of what I saw today. Also saw a green and a blue heron, a cardinal, and coots.

Juvenile Red Shoulder Hawk

Osprey

Gator

Great Blue Heron

Snowy Egret

Gator

Tiny turtle

Osprey

Great Egret

Juvenile Red Shoulder Hawk

Here is the link for all the pics from this and past trips: De Leon Springs : Spring Garden Creek
That is all for this one. Hope you come back for the next Views From Our Kayak.

Thanks for reading!!!!!!

That beautiful lady is my Mom!!!!!