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| Yellow Crowned Night Heron |
This was our first visit to Weedon Island Preserve. This paddle was in my mind for several weeks since a gentleman, John Pessano, suggested it via message on our Facebook page. So taking advantage of a family vacation weekend in the St. Pete area drove to Weedon Island State Preserve Friday morning.
Put In / Take Out: End of the main road at Weedon Island Preserve. The name of the road is Weedon Dr NE. There is a nice pier and a platform. The kayak launch is to the left, in a small area. It is firm enough to put your yak in the water and get in.
Had one of the most relaxing paddles I have had in a long time. Paddling inside a beautiful mangrove tunnel so narrow that had to use half of a paddle to move forward, then going into an open area, back to the mangroves, back to the open. Bottom line, great paddle. The pics are not something to call home about. It rained, and the Sun was on and off. Arrived at Weedon Island @ 8 AM but had a late start because waited for the rain to go away. Was finally in the water at 8:50. The paddling trail is well marked and easy to follow. There was only one time when I had to really look for the mark and it was almost at the end, coming out of a short mangrove tunnel.
The preserve has a map with the paddling trail on it. If I was Dave Cannon, from Dave's Yak Tales, I would precisely describe to you most of the details and the names of the islands in the map. Unfortunately for you I have no narrative skills so the best I can do is give you this link: Weedon Island Paddling Trail. Or you can wait until Dave visits the place for accurate details.
Other than the annoying rain and the extra annoying mosquitoes it was a perfect paddle. That and that I did not see dolphins or manatees. Not sure about the manatees but I have read that dolphins are a regular sighting in the channel West of the island. The mangroves gave me a welcome shelter from the rain at one point and provide a nice scenery.
It is Sunday when am finishing this post so cannot remember half of the things I had in mind to tell you. So feel free to leave your questions in the comments and will do my best to answer them. In the mean time, let me show some of the few pics I was able to shoot. Not much of a variety since did not explore too much but here we go...
All the previous pics were shot either in the mangroves or in the open areas between mangroves. The following pics were shot at the open area West of the island...
It took me, a slow paddler, less than three hours to complete the trail. Next time, if the weather cooperates will explore more the areas between the markers, which did not do this time. After the paddle took a short walk in the trail to the observation tower, which can be seen at the beginning at the paddling trail. Here are a few scenic pics from half the trail. Had to cut it short because a thunderstorm.
And this is it for this one. Thanks for reading, and in case you saw the preview, thanks for coming back. If my back holds up will share more Views From Our Kayak soon. Do not forget to check our Facebook page for more pics from this and other trips.
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| Osprey |
Put In / Take Out: End of the main road at Weedon Island Preserve. The name of the road is Weedon Dr NE. There is a nice pier and a platform. The kayak launch is to the left, in a small area. It is firm enough to put your yak in the water and get in.
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| Great Egret |
Had one of the most relaxing paddles I have had in a long time. Paddling inside a beautiful mangrove tunnel so narrow that had to use half of a paddle to move forward, then going into an open area, back to the mangroves, back to the open. Bottom line, great paddle. The pics are not something to call home about. It rained, and the Sun was on and off. Arrived at Weedon Island @ 8 AM but had a late start because waited for the rain to go away. Was finally in the water at 8:50. The paddling trail is well marked and easy to follow. There was only one time when I had to really look for the mark and it was almost at the end, coming out of a short mangrove tunnel.
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| Brown Pelican |
The preserve has a map with the paddling trail on it. If I was Dave Cannon, from Dave's Yak Tales, I would precisely describe to you most of the details and the names of the islands in the map. Unfortunately for you I have no narrative skills so the best I can do is give you this link: Weedon Island Paddling Trail. Or you can wait until Dave visits the place for accurate details.
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| View from the kayak. See the paddling trail mark in front of the kayak to the right. |
Other than the annoying rain and the extra annoying mosquitoes it was a perfect paddle. That and that I did not see dolphins or manatees. Not sure about the manatees but I have read that dolphins are a regular sighting in the channel West of the island. The mangroves gave me a welcome shelter from the rain at one point and provide a nice scenery.
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| Mangrove tunnel |
It is Sunday when am finishing this post so cannot remember half of the things I had in mind to tell you. So feel free to leave your questions in the comments and will do my best to answer them. In the mean time, let me show some of the few pics I was able to shoot. Not much of a variety since did not explore too much but here we go...
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| Osprey attitude |
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| Osprey |
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| Great Egret |
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| Brown Pelican |
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| Tri Colored Heron |
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| Snowy Egret |
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| Great Egret |
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| Tri Colored Heron |
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| Juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron |
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| Snowy Egret |
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| Green Heron |
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| Green Heron |
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| Osprey |
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| Osprey |
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| Great Blue Heron |
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| Juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron |
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| Juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron |
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| Yellow Crowned Night Heron |
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| Yellow Crowned Night Heron |
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| Yellow Crowned Night Heron |
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| Yellow Crowned Night Heron |
All the previous pics were shot either in the mangroves or in the open areas between mangroves. The following pics were shot at the open area West of the island...
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| Least Tern |
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| Brown Pelican |
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| A view to the West with the St. Pete skyline as a background. |
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| Least Tern |
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| Least Tern |
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| TBD |
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| Great Blue Heron |
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| Roseate Spoonbill |
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| Roseate Spoonbill |
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| Spoonie |
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| Yellow Crowned Night Heron |
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| Osprey |
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| Osprey |
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| Juvenile Little Blue Heron |
It took me, a slow paddler, less than three hours to complete the trail. Next time, if the weather cooperates will explore more the areas between the markers, which did not do this time. After the paddle took a short walk in the trail to the observation tower, which can be seen at the beginning at the paddling trail. Here are a few scenic pics from half the trail. Had to cut it short because a thunderstorm.
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| From the observation tower looking South |
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| Bartow Power Generation Plant. |
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| A storm is coming |
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| Pier at the launch area |
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| Nature Center |
And this is it for this one. Thanks for reading, and in case you saw the preview, thanks for coming back. If my back holds up will share more Views From Our Kayak soon. Do not forget to check our Facebook page for more pics from this and other trips.
Last night, I was thinking, "Is Weedon Island worth the drive?" I have not been there. Looking forward to the rest of your View.
ReplyDeleteYour opening heron picture and the glowing white Egrets w/ dark backgrounds are stunning! I'd write home about these pics!
ReplyDelete"If I was Dave Cannon, from Dave's Yak Tales, I would precisely describe to you most of the details and the names of the islands in the map."
ReplyDeleteOh boy. I'm not sure I can go now. People will have high expectaions.
Including correct spelling. expectations
ReplyDeleteThe photo you have labeled "TBD" is a seagull.
ReplyDelete