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Saturday, January 31, 2015

Silver River

Rhesus Monkey at the Silver River

Had a long entertaining paddle at the Silver River this Saturday. Very long, interesting, and very special I would add. Ended with more than 400 pics and after deleting the really bad ones, the repeated poses, the "Do not like it", etc, had more than 200. Had to select from them so closed my eyes and deleted another bunch with 140 making the final cut. I am not posting all of them here so picked one or a few of all the wildlife seen on the trip.


Pied Billed Grebes

Put In & Take Out:  Ray's Wayside aka Ocala Boat Club. I have put the link in previous posts from this location so Google it or just check another of our posts for more information. I should tell you there is a $5 fee and it can be an honor (you place your payment in an envelope) or an attendant system.


Anhinga


OK. Let me be short and precise here. Started my paddle at 8 AM and it was 36 F at the time. COLD!!! Made it to the Silver River head spring area a few minutes before noon but please, do not use my times as a reference. I am too slow, or make too many pics stops. Here is what I saw on my way up river...


Canal from Ray's Wayside to Silver River

Little Blue Heron

Juvenile Little Blue Heron

Juvenile Little Blue Heron


Found the first monkey troop of the day at the marker 4.1, one mile up river from the confluence of the canal and the Silver River...


Silver River Rhesus Monkey

Silver River Rhesus Monkey

Silver River Rhesus Monkey

Silver River Rhesus Monkeys

Silver River Rhesus Monkeys

After 30 or 40 minutes kept going up river...


Black Crowned Night Heron

Black Crowned Night Heron

Black Crowned Night Heron

Ibis

Limpkin

Limpkin

Anhinga

Eastern Phoebe

TBD

TBD

Yellow Crowned Night Heron

Yellow Crowned Night Heron

Yellow Crowned Night Heron

Pileated Woodpecker

Cormorant

Silver River Turtle

Pileated Woodpecker

Turtle

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Moorhen

Coot

Gator

Great Egret

Wood Stork

Wood Stork


Second monkey troop one mile from the head springs. Did not stay long with them as it was crowded with paddlers from the State Park and motor boats.



Silver River Rhesus Monkey

Silver River Rhesus Monkey


Took the Fort King paddling trail route. Not too many things to shoot pics at...


Fort King Paddling Trail

Turtles at the Fort King Paddling Trail


Did something I have never done before: Stopped at the Canoe/Kayak launch at the State Park. I was starving so walked to the restaurant and had lunch there. I have an annual pass so was within the rules. Took almost one hour there, rested my back and stretched my legs in the process. Props to the attendants at the kayak/canoe launch;  were very polite and helpful. Started my paddle down river at 1 PM taking the head spring route...


Head Spring area

Silver River classic scene
Cormorant

Pied Billed Grebe


Pied Billed Grebe

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker at work

Pileated Woodpecker

Snowy Egret

Eastern Phoebe

Tri-Colored Heron

Gator

Green Heron

Green Heron

And this is it for this one. Made it to Ray's Wayside 15 minutes after 4 PM, tired but satisfied. Saw and heard monkeys again on my way down but waved them good bye and kept going. Thanks for coming and as always, there are more pics on our Facebook Page. Considered yourself invited for our next Views From Our Kayak.


Silver River...The View From Our Kayak