Deer Lower Wekiva River

Lower Wekiva River Deer

A incredibly hot day, add that a late start and it made it worst. But there is not a way to paddle the Lower Wekiva River and go back home dissapointed. Did not want to kayak Lower Wekiva River today. Wanted to go to Canaveral Seashore and see manatees and dolphins. But the forecast was a high of 95F with a 105F heat index. I was under the Sun last Saturday under similar conditions and decided against being in the same situation for this paddle. So made it to Katie's Landings at around 9:30AM. Started paddling near 9:50.

Osprey

Put In / Take Out: Katie's Landings, located at Wekiva Park Dr in Sanford. If you are coming from I4, turn right just before the SR46 bridge over the Wekiva River. Katie's will be to your left hand after maybe a mire or a mile and a half. There is a sign so you will not miss it. The fee is $3 and is an honor system. Talking about it, there were no envelopes to pay this time. Not knowing if the fee was being waved, there is a day in the year when you do not have to pay at the Florida State Parks, of it was just that somebody did not do the job, did wrap three dollars in a napkin, wrote my minivan's car tag and did deposit the payment. Peace of mind is more important than $3.

Gator

This was another solo paddle. Team Views From Our Kayak may not be in the water together for a while because our tandem kayak is not reliable anymore. Makes too much water on every trip and there is no money in the budget to buy another one in the near future. That being said started this one as we always do, exploring the lagoon in front of Katie's. Maybe because of the heat, there was not the usual variety of wildlife I was expecting. Or maybe because the water level is high and that does not give too much room for the wading birds. After 15 minutes there tried to find my way North thru the area West of the small island near Katie's but it was impassable. Vegetation grew too high and now is blocking the way, so paddled along the East side of the island with the residential zone to my right side, the east bank of the Wekiva River. The current was faster than usual and the wind was coming from the South. Not good for the return paddle but crossed my fingers and hoped for a shift in the wind for the trip back to the put in. Did not happen.

Great Egret

Did not see too many people in the river. A large group were int he put in when I started but they headed South. Saw two guys fishing from their kayaks, then a couple with their kid. Three motor boats, two of them going down river pretty fast while I was taking a break in the high ground area, and a pontoon boat on my way up. That was it. Did explore the island West of the put in paddling from the North. Usually see lots of wildlife there but not this time. Saw a Black Crowned Night Heron and a Green Heron but both of them flying away from me in a hurry.

Anhinga

Cattle Egret

Did You Know That? The subject of this section is a small white heron that is more at home foraging in the grass than in the water. As a matter of fact, cannot remember seeing this one too often in this section of the river. The Cattle Egret is more comfortable following cattle, horses, and tractors feeding on the insects they stir up. They will also be attracted from smoke and will travel long distances to feed on insects trying to escape fires. Cattle Egret can also add birds to their diet. In the Dry Tortugas, off the coast of Florida, they have being seen trying to catch migrating warblers. This bird is non native to America and came from Africa and Asia. Was first found in USA in 1941 and started nesting by 1953. It is now one of the most abundant herons in North America, also found in Alaska and Newfoundland. Did You Know That? Other than they following cattle I had no idea.

Great Blue Heron

Thought about taking a break at the high ground area at noon but decided to keep going for thirty more minutes. Am glad I did that because 5 minutes later found the deer in the opening pic. She was close to the bank but I was paddling with the current and my momentum took me way ahead of where it was. When I turned around to where I saw it, went deeper into the forest followed by not one, but two little ones. Refused to give up and finally found a spot from where I was able to shoot pics but did not have a clear shot. The sound of the shutter made the doe curious and came close to me, giving me an open line for a pic. As soon as she saw what this was about ran away but at least got one nice pic. I wonder if they are the same ones Master Dave, from Dave's Yak Tales, saw during his last trip. I do not see deer too often and have seen a female with a single fawn a few times. Never a female with two little ones, until this paddle.

Deer

Turned around at 12:30. At that time was near the mouth of Blackwater Creek and thought about exploring it for a few minutes but I know myself and those few minutes could have been easily one hour. So started paddling back against the current and an occasional strong breeze. Took a break at the high grounds, where stopped for 30 minutes, and then kept going up river. Made good time on my way up regardless the fast current and the wind, maybe because did not make many pic stops. Here are more pics of what I saw during this paddle...

Great Blue Heron

Turtle

Duck

Duck

Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

Little Blue Heron

Soft Shell Turtle

Ibis

Turtle

Gator

Juvenile Little Blue Heron

Great Egret

Juvenile Tri-Colored Heron

Juvenile Tri-Colored Heron

Deer

White Tail Deer

Gator

Turtle

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Tri-Colored Heron

Tri-Colored Heron

Juvenile Little Blue Heron

Turtle

Ibis

This is it for this one. Thanks for reading, in case you really read the whole post, and see you next week. We will share more Views From Our Kayak.

Lower Wekiva River