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| Bald Eagle in the St. Johns River |
Today went back to the location of probably my most paddle ever. This one did not produce that out of the curve moment but it was a good one. This was a last minute decision as wifey did not want to go where I had planned. But there was nothing wrong with this location.
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| Gator in the St. Johns River |
Put In / Take Out: Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Fl. Please visit the park's website for information about fees and location.
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| Little Blue Heron |
Started around 8:30 and headed to the short Blue Spring Run. A group were in the run making a turtle study. Made it to the spring and saw lots of bubbles coming to the surface as 8 scuba divers were down in the massive vent.
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| Bubbles ahead!!!!!!!!! |
After visiting the spring, headed out to the St. Johns River. Just before exiting the run heard the unique call of a Bald Eagle calling its mate. We have seen Bald Eagles here before so it was no surprise when spotted one in the East bank of the river.
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| Bald Eagle |
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| Bald Eagle |
After the eagle's pic session explored the small island west of the French Avenue landing. Not much to see around that area, as a matter of fact, not too many things to see during the whole trip but decided to practice with the camera so had a productive day. Headed to Snake Creek after exploring the island, went all the way to the Hontoon Dead River, and then made it back to the State Park using the creek again. Not going to bore you with the details so let us go to the pics of the trip. Here we go...
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| Blue Spring Run |
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| Female Anhinga |
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| Juvenile Little Blue Heron |
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| Juvenile Little Blue Heron |
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| Rock Star Snowy Egret |
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| Anhinga |
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| Great Blue Heron |
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| Great Blue Heron |
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| Gator |
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| Pileated Woodpecker |
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| Entering Snake Creek |
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| Little Blue Heron |
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| Turtle |
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| Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher ( Thanks for the ID Joanne Bolemon) |
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| Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher ( Thanks for the ID Joanne Bolemon) |
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| Little Blue Heron |
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| Eastern Phoebe...the first one I have seen in months |
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| Juvenile Green Heron |
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| Green Heron |
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| Green Heron |
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| Green Heron |
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| Tri-Colored Heron |
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| Tri-Colored Heron |
And that is it for this one. For your information the St. Johns is high, that makes Snake Creek high with the water spilling all over the low areas creating a huge swamp. Maybe that is the reason for the lack of wading birds. The St. Johns' current was faster than usual too. Anyways, thought that you may want to know that if planning to visit this place in a near future. Thanks for reading and check our Facebook page and "Like" us if you do. See you next week, we will share more Views From Our Kayak.
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| Blue Spring Run |
We are so spoiled! Just look at the variety of wildlife on a day there was "not much to see." The eagle pictures are particularly majestic.
ReplyDeleteThe little bird is a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.
Nice to see Eastern Phoebes again---with the departure of the STKs and the return of Phoebes and Kingfishers, I guess summer is actually ending.
Have you seen any tiny hatchling gators this season? I have not.
I heard lots of chirping in the creek. Did not see them but I knew they tiny ones, and mama, were there.
DeleteThanks for the little bird ID, The Little Blue Heron are ruling Snake Creek. There was one at every bend.