Lower Wekiva River From Katie's Landings

Black Crowned Night Heron

Memorial Day Week-end. A wise man once said "Never go to a State Park on a Holiday". I will have to add "...or Katie's Landings". Wow!!!! It was as busy as I have never seen this place. The humans, in kayaks, canoes, motor boats, and paddle boards, out numbered the wildlife seen. That is a lot to say. A rare paddle on this location...for me. Came back home with only 120 something pics. That is nothing compared with other trips. But the wildlife was scarce and skittish.

Little Blue Heron

Put In / Take Out: Katie's Landings. Please check previous posts about this location for location. The charge is $3 per vehicle, $2 per pedestrian. Honor system Arrived at Katie's just before 8 AM. Only one car in the parking area. Weird. I expected more cars for a Saturday of a long weekend. That changed in a blink of an eye. As I prepared my kayak a gentleman came to download his multiple kayaks. He was expecting a group.

Katie's Landings

Was in the water around 8:15. Did what I usually do every time at this place: explored the lagoon in front of Katie's and after I was done started my down river paddle through the West side of the small island near the Put In. Went all the way to the mouth of Blackwater Creek. Here is what I saw, well...No...what I was able to shoot pics at....

Black Crowned Night Heron playing hide and seek

Great Egret

Great Egret

Little Blue Heron - Juvenile

Moorhen

Sandhill Crane

Sandhill Crane

Little Blue Heron

Gator...the only one that did not jump into the water as it sensed me.

Lady Wood Duck. Her partner left her alone when saw me.

Pileated Woodpecker. Many of them in the forest. Too deep for a decent pic.

Tri-Colored Heron

Swallow-Tailed Kite

Got to the mouth of Blackwater Creek in about 2 hours and 20 minutes. I am a slow paddler. At that point let the current take me down river while I had a sandwich. Started my paddle up river, with the wind on my back (FINALLY!!!!) 5 minutes later. Up to that point the river was not too busy. It changed and how did it change. I stopped counting motor boats when reached 8, more than 25 kayakers in three different groups, and n paddle boarders. Two different groups of them. The Wekiva is running high and in the morning was not as clear as it usually is but was clear. In the afternoon was not able to see my paddle under the water. Debris all over the place because the motor boats. It was ugly. Seemed like it was another river. Only took a few pics on my way up. Here are them...

Memorial Day Celebration in the Wekiva River. Let us remember who are we honoring...

Great Blue Heron

Black Crowned Night Heron

Juvenile Little Blue Heron

Made it to Katie's Landings while another group was getting ready to go. Decided to keep going South. Was not much better as two motor boats came storming from up river. Here are the pics I was able to get...

Black Crowned Night Heron

Cormorant

Osprey

Osprey

Swallow Tailed Kite. I know the pic is not the best one but want to point at the difference in the tails on the one on the first pic and this one, which is a juvenile. The Kites will leave us soon since their chicks are out!!!

Female Anhinga...

...and her dark knight ( no pun intended)

This is it for this one. Not too much to show in an unusual slow day in the Lower Wekiva River, if you talk about wildlife. Saw Green Herons, Red Shouldered Hawks, Red Bellied Woodpeckers, a Great Crested Flycatcher, a Summer Tanager, a Raccoon, and an Ibis here and there. Not able to get in position for a pic. Do not forget to follow us on Facebook - Views From Our Kayak, and thanks for reading. See you soon from another location to share more Views From Our Kayak.

Katie's Landings