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| Silver River Spa |
Today took a day off from work and did paddle at the Silver River. The State took over the old attraction and Silver Springs State Park is scheduled to open this Tuesday. So this weekend is the last chance to paddle in the area without the noise of the glass bottom boats and the crowds. Did not want to take my chances tomorrow so went today. It was a heck of a day: birds, gators, and monkeys. Since the Silver River is unique for the famous Rhesus Monkeys, they got the opening pic.
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| Tri-Colored Heron |
Put In / Take Out: Rays Wayside or, as it is known, Ocala Boat Club. There is $5 charge per vehicle. An attendant may or may not be in the boot. If there is no attendant use the envelopes provided and leave your payment in a drop box.
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| Ibis |
I do not have too many things to say about this one. The traffic in the river was minimal, no more than 5 motor boats, a handful of kayakers, and a canoe that put in at the park ramp. Found the river a bit faster than other times since felt it while taking the pictures. Made it to the head springs in a little less than 3 hours and had a conversation with a local newspaper reporter.
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| Three in a row |
Let us make a parenthesis here and write about monkeys. On my way to Ray's, maybe 1.5 mile away down stream, stopped paddling to take a sip of water. Heard a screech in the forest and looked for the origin. I was sure it was a monkey but could not see any or any movement. Looked at the top of a tree and BINGO...Mom and a baby. Thought that was going to go monkey-less for this one. Spent a lot of time there waiting for a good shot chance because the monkeys had the Sun in their backs. Then saw a group of four grooming in a log and was able to get a few pics, including the opening one. Let us do some monkey time...
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| Grooming lesson..."You see that spot there? That is a flea" |
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| Being a mother is a 24/7 365 days job |
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| Little ones monkeying around. |
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| "That feels so gooooood" |
Here are more pics of what I saw at the gorgeous Silver River...
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| Black Crowned Night Heron |
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| Black Crowned Night Heron |
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| Black Crowned Night Heron |
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| Tri-Colored Heron |
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| Tri-Colored Heron |
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| Anhinga |
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| Anhinga |
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| Anhinga |
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| Anhinga |
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| Little Blue Heron |
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| Little Blue Heron |
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| Juvenile Little Blue Heron |
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| Little Blue Heron Chick |
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| Little Blue Heron and Chick |
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| Little Blue Heron & Chick |
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| Little Blue Heron chicks |
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| Green 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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| Juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron |
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| Juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron |
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| Juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron |
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| Juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron |
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| Ibis |
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| Ibis |
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| Gator |
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| Gator |
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| Gator and Little Blue Heron |
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| Gator |
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| Gator |
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| Gator |
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| Gator |
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| Gator |
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| Lady Wood Duck |
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| Lady Wood Duck |
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| Lady Wood Duck |
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| Lady Wood Duck |
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| Wood Ducks |
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| Wood Duck |
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| Wood Duck |
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| Cormorant |
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| Cormorant |
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| Moorhen |
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| Moorhen |
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| Moorhen |
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| Moorhen and more |
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| Pied-Billed Grebe |
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| Great Egret |
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| Spring bottom |
And I think this is enough. Well, not really. Have a video to show you but it is a little too long. I have a son that is a Digital Design major at UCF and will ask him to edit and make it presentable for you. Thanks for your patience and hope you come back for the next one so we can share more Views From Our Kayak. Check us on Facebook for more pics of this and other trips.
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| Silver River from the Heads Spring area |
I should stop looking at your beautiful photos---they make me want to buy a DSLR camera. Wonderful pictures, as always, but the Black-crowned Night Heron is exceptionally stunning.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got to Silver River this week. Not sure it will ever be this quiet again.
I am afraid you are right. It will not be this quiet again.
DeleteSomething Master Dave said recently and I look for yesterday: Does not seem like there is too much flow coming out the head spring. I stay put there for minutes and did not move too much. Was not the case in the other springs.
About the camera, had a close one yesterday. Almost ended in the water so is a high risk proposition. Your pics are as stunning as any pics I have seen so I can only imagine what would you do with a DSLR.
Ooooh, I am so thankful your camera didn't take a dive. It is a sick feeling, for sure.
DeleteI'm afraid what I would do with a DSLR is leave it at home a lot. I don't want to take anything on the water that I can't afford to replace once a year, as that seems to be about as long as mine last.
Bravo!
ReplyDeleteOUTSTANDING photos of the monkeys!! Going now to smash up all MY camera equipment...
ReplyDelete