Lower Wekiva River's Bear Necessities

Florida Black Bear

I am the unluckiest luckiest man alive. From all the days I could choose for not to have my camera ready when leaving home I had to choose today. Big mistake. To give you the big picture, usually the camera is ready when I leave home. Lens on, and settings. Did not do that today in part because it was a last second decision to kayak the Lower Wekiva River. More to this later but it was not a typical Lower Wekiva River paddle in a cloudy, gray, and rainy morning. But I saw a Florida Black Bear!!!!!

Juvenile Little Blue Heron

Put In / Take Out: Katie's Landings. Please check previous posts about the Lower Wekiva River for location and fees information.

Anhinga

Was entering Wekiva Park Rd when caught a black shadow moving to my left, at one of the entrance of the properties int the road. Was going very slow since just turned to enter in the road so took a closer look and saw it, a Black Bear at the base of one of the trees of the property. Carefully reduced speed, did not slam on the brakes, since did not want to scare the bear. When finally came to a full stop on the side of the road realized the camera was not ready. That costed me some seconds the bear used to go deep into the property it was and into the shadows. The bear looked and ignored me which added to the insult. Was not in a hurry. Did not realize had the wrong settings, which came to learn when the bear was way far from me. I was able to fix the settings and did shoot a couple of pics but soon after the bear was more a black spot than anything else. It is what it is. I totally messed up this one.

Great Blue Heron

It was a slow day at the river. Not too much wildlife to shoot pics at. Maybe the heat had something to do with it. Or maybe was the annoying drizzling, or maybe it was the downpour. Saw more persons that wildlife all of them in a large group. To make things worse the weather man missed again and the rain was coming down at 11:30. The forecast was no rain until 1 PM. That forced me to put the camera away for good in the middle of my return paddling. Not that I went too far since turned around when heard a thunder. Here are the pics of the few things I was able to shoot pics at the Lower Wekiva River...

I know is not a good pic but that is the bear scratching his back against a tree

After the scratch

Florida Black Bear

Florida Black Bear

Lower Wekiva River Gator

Juvenile Little Blue Heron

Gator

Gator

Gator

Juvenile Little Blue Heron. They ruled the river today

Anhinga

Great Egret

Great Egret

Little Blue Heron

Juvenile Little Blue Heron

Gator

Black Crowned Night Heron

Ibis

Green Heron

Juvenile Green Heron

Juvenile Green Heron

Another Juvenile Little Blue Heron

A couple of scenic pics...

Down stream view

Lower Wekiva River

Sadly, that is it. Way under the Wekiva River standards. But the Black Bear makes the day anytime. Thanks for reading and check our Facebook Page where we post other pics from previous paddles.

Lower Wekiva River