Upper Wekiva River

Upper Wekiva River Gator

Today was a special paddle. Instead of going solo, my wife cannot come with me at least for two more weeks, did paddle with a good friend of mine. We work for the same company and used to work in the same building. But since January I have a different work location and we have not talked too much since. He likes kayaking and called me during the week. We agreed to kayak today in an area close from both our houses since we had previous engagements already scheduled. So the perfect place for this task is the Wekiva River.

Let me introduce my good friend Hector. He is a Florida Gator and a heck of a guy. My wife calls him Happy Face because you will never see him angry and/or trashing somebody else...and ladies...He is single and taking applications!!!!! (LOL...I think he is going to be angry now).

Put In / Take Out: Katie's Landings. Check previous post about the Lower Wekiva River for information.

Gator enjoys the sunny day in the upper part of the Wekiva River

When we arrived at Katie's my thoughts were to go down river and turn around after two hours or so. But Hector mentioned he preferred to go against the current first and then come down with the help of it so we headed South from Katie's Landings. An outfitter was waiting for his costumers as we left. The river is very high because all the rain. It also look like paddling in tea, meaning that it is not as pristine as it usually is. Cannot tell you about North of Katie's but the area we kayaked today the river looks very wide, giving you a chance to explore areas you cannot usually reach. I apologize since failed to shoot a panoramic to show you this detail.

Anhinga

For this post there are not many pics because a combination of reasons. Two friends catching up about family, work, and life, it was a short paddle, and I did not bring my best game today. So will share with you the few decent pics I got in the order they were taken. Will try to explain in the captions but there is not much to say.  That being said...here we go....

An Osprey greeted us across Katie's Landings

Osprey

Great Egret tried to play Hide and Seek. Its white color did not help too much and became an easy pic chance.

Green Heron. There was a chick in the area but was not able to get a pic of it.

Several mid size gators decided to take advantage of the morning Sun.

Hector leads a pack of paddlers right before the SR426 bridge.

Swimming gator

Some folks are having just a tough time. Look at this guy!!!!!!

Had to make an unscheduled pit stop at Wilson's Landings. Saw this beautiful dog playing with his owner.

Little Blue Heron

Immature, not for too long, Little Blue Heron

Great Egret

Mirror Image. A Pileated Woodpecker duo.

Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpeckers

I always wondered what goes through the head of a woodpecker when it hits the wood. Here is my answer. Even the woodpecker flinches.

Pileated Woodpecker

Face Off!!!!!!!!!

Green Heron

Green Heron. There were more than two sightings of this bird today on the river.

Green Heron

How many gators you see here?

And now?

Sunning gator

This turtle was the only one that lasted 10 seconds in the log before going back to water.

Great Blue Heron

Another gator!!!!!!

Little Blue Heron

And this is it for this one. Thanks for reading and hope you come back for the next post, in which we will share more of the Views From Our Kayak. Check us on Facebook-Views From Our Kayak.

Upper Wekiva River typical scene.