Jingle Bell Rock...Rock Springs Run

Rock Springs Run Buck

Each and every time I go to Rock Springs Run the expectation is to see deer. Today met the expectations...Where have I heard that before?...Anyways...At the end of the day the result was a heck of paddle at the first place we ever kayaked.  A solo paddle this time since my wife does not like this location too much due the paddle against the current at Rock Springs Run. Today I understood why she does not like it. The Run is low and faster than it usually is, making the act of taking a picture a challenge.

Red Shouldered Hawk

Put In / Take Out: Used the facilities of the Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka. The cost per vehicle is $4 if you are alone. Please check their website, Wekiwa Springs State Park, for fee information. This is the one place where it help if you have a cart to carry your kayak or canoe. In the morning I just carried my little Tribe to the lagoon. In the afternoon, tired after the paddle against the current, used the cart.

Wekiva River gator

For this post will let the pics tell the story. Will start saying that the plan was to paddle closes possible to Kelly Park but did not do it. The current was a little too fast an my kayak is not too good going against the current here. Need a better boat to do that. Anyways, was on my way at 8:34, the Ranger at the gate told me I will have the river to myself. Made sense on a cool morning. Turned around at 11:30, stopped at Big Buck Camp until 12:15 PM, and cruised down The Run arriving at the State Park at 2:40 PM. That being said let me show you the pics I took on this trip. The first group are from the Wekiva River, between the park and the confluence with Rock Springs Run...

Little Blue Heron at the Wekiwa Springs lagoon

Anhinga

Little Blue Heron...the same of the first pic, just another angle

Great Blue Heron

Easter Phoebe...they are all over the place

Pied Billed Grebe

Pied Billed Grebe

As you can see, not too much variety. Maybe the wildlife did buy into the Mayan prophecy thing. The way up run was not easy. Had several pics chances that I blew because the current, but at least was entertaining. Here are the Rock Springs Run pics...

Rock Springs Run

Great Blue Heron...not a great pic but the best I got like that

Great Egret says... heyyyyyyyyyy

Little Blue Heron

Eastern Phoebe

Belted Kingfisher...was my personal escort for must of the paddle up The Run

And since it earned it...two pics in a row

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Yellow-Rumped warbler

Belted Kingfisher

Ibis

Ibis

Deer between Indian Mound and Big Buck Camp. Went deep into the forest with another doe.

Wanna take a pic? Here...this is my best side.

Yellow-Rumped Warbler at Big Buck Camp

Yellow-Rumped Warbler at Big Buck Camp

Yellow-Rumped Warbler at Big Buck Camp

Did You Know That?...There are three primitive campgrounds along the Rock Springs Run...

Big Buck Primitive Camp

Indian Mound Primitive Camp

Otter Primitive Camp(to the left of the pic)

Started my paddle down The Run at 12:18 PM. Mostly let the current do the job. That approach worked at the beginning of the last open area a buck did not see me until I had three pics already.

Rock Springs Run looking down the run

The Turtles were out on my way down The Run...notice the dents on the turtle's shell?

Turtle

And another turtle...told you they were out

Raccoon...it is always nice to see one on the wild...if you know what I mean

Then, at a bend this big guy was right there...

Juvenile Ibis

Back on the Wekiva River on my way back to the State Park...

Gator at the Wekiva River

Eastern Phoebe

and more Turtles

Green Heron

Green Heron

Red Shouldered Hawk

Anhinga

The following pics were taken at the parking lot, after loading the kayak, and then inside the State Park. Drove around to and saw the young buck at the side of the road. Did not mind my presence and kept chewing whatever was eating...

Red Shouldered Hawk

Red Shouldered Hawk

Red Shouldered hawk

Young Buck

Young Buck

Young Buck

Young Buck

And that is it for this one. Thanks for reading and hope you come back to our next post, we will share more Views From Our Kayak.