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Back to the Econ

Juvenile Bald Eagle

The last time I did paddle here was in 2014, just before the election. I even made a joke about a pair of eagles I saw that day. Called one Hillary and the other one Donald. Lost more than one friend because of it. Am not naming this one just in case.

Eastern Meadowlark

Put In / Take Out: Did put in at C.S. Lee Park in Geneva ( Seminole County). My idea was to paddle the St Johns River to the Econlockhatchee River, go up the Econ for maybe one hour or two depending how good was the photography, and then back to the St Johns and C.S. Lee Park. But it was so windy that decided to paddle all the way to Snow Hill Rd bridge. Called my wife to be sure she was not busy moved forward with that new plan.

Bald Eagle

The Econ is prime habitat for the Bald Eagle. In a normal day you will see many of these majestic birds here. In a good day you will have several pics chances of adult and juvenile bald eagles. Today it was just normal. The wind made it so hard to stay still long enough to shot a pic, much less many of them. Add to that, the wildlife at the Econ does not cooperate. It is skittish and, worst than that, will see you way before you see them. Did not have many chances anyways so here are the pics of what I saw.

Little Blue Heron at the St Johns Rive

Tri Colored Heron

Juvenile Little Blue Heron

Eastern Meadowlark

Eastern Meadowlark

Eastern Meadowlark

Great Blue Heron

Red Shouldered Hawk

Juvenile Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Great Egret

Limpkin

Tiny Gator enjoys a sunny spot

Anhinga

Gator - One of only three I saw, one of them was dead a short distance down river from Snow Hill Rd bridge

Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

Bald Eagle flyover

Turtles were coming out as I approached Snow Hill Rd bridge

The Econ does not offer tons of different wildlife options. You come here when you want to see bald eagles and BIG gators. But it offers many different options to kayak here. You can kayak the upper part and kayak from the bridge in CR 419 to Snow Hill Rd. Or kayak from Snow Hill Rd to C.S. Lee Park. Or back and forth from one of the bridges. You choose. The river has a different kind of beauty with its tea like colored waters. Submerged logs, the erosion is putting a number on it, white sand banks, and the forest scenery give this trip an identity of its own. It is a shame that developers want to build in this fragile ecosystem. Thanks for coming and check our YouTube video soon. See you on our next Views From Our Kayak.

Econlockhatchee River

Invitation for Views From Our Kayak - The YouTube Channel

Hello,

Am starting a new channel about our kayaking trips around Florida. Please check the following link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58P6PY3QaX8 , and if you like it, please give it a like, and if you want to keep seeing our videos you are more than welcome to subscribe.



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Views From Our Kayak

A Day in The St Johns (Hontoon Island Loop)

Snail Kite at Snake Creek

Had a wonderful day in my kayaking comeback. Decided to put the kayak back at the St Johns River out of the Blue Spring State Park. Had seen pics of a Snail Kite in Snake Creek and quite frankly was hoping to see it since Snail Kite is not a bird I often see. The only one I have seen was at the Orlando Wetlands Park some years ago. Never one from the kayak. Besides I knew manatees were present at the Blue Springs Run. I was not dissapointed.

Snake Creek

Put In / Take Out: Blue Spring State Park. Check the link for park information. This one is located at Orange City, Florida.

Anhinga (female)

Decided to start kayaking the St Johns near the end of the Blue Spring Run. More times than not there is a Bald Eagle at a tree at the North East side of the confluence of the run and the river. It was there this day.

Bald Eagle

Usually I am patient and shoot tons of eagle pics. But it was not the best day to take photographs with a dark gray background. Beside, a pair of manatees decided that I was interesting. Spent some minutes recording and shooting pics of them....

Manatee in the St Johns

Manatee in the St Johns

Manatee in the St Johns

Manatee in the St Johns

Manatee in the St Johns

Manatee in the St Johns

Manatee in the St Johns

Manatee in the St Johns

Manatee in the St Johns

 

Do I know you?

Manatee Encounter...Of the nice kind!!!!

Finished with the manatees and headed toward Snake Creek. Had a small detour in the lagoon South of the park launch...

Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

Anhinga (Male)

Osprey

Osprey

After the stop, to Snake Creek!!!!!

Little Blue Heron

Little Blue Heron

Moorhen

 

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Little Blue Heron

Ibis

Black Crowned Night Heron

Black Crowned Night Heron

Turtle

Juvenile Black Crowned Night Heron

Limpkin

Black Crowned Night Heron (cannot remember seeing so many of these in one place)

Black Crowned Night Heron

Saw a bird coming toward me and could not ID it. It was not until it flew right over me that realized that was the reason I was kayaking there, a Snail Kite. Turned around and saw where it landed. Several minutes and a perch change after left the area very satisfied. Had to admit that at one point I put the camera away and just admired it. What a beautiful bird!!!!

Snail Kite

Snail Kite

Snail Kite

Snail Kite

Snail Kite

That was the highlight of my paddle. After that continued through Snake Creek all the way to the Hontoon Dead River. Once there decided to continue North and do the Hontoon Island Loop. Rest of the pics here....

Tri-Colored Heron

Deer

Wood Stork

Wood Stork

Snowy Egret

Juvenile Little Blue Heron

Purple Gallinule

Cormorant

Green Heron

Gator

Gator

Gator

Tri-Colored Heron

Arrived to the park around 3:30 PM. Almost 6 hours in the water. Was tired but satisfied. Around a 10 miles paddle. Got more than I was expecting. Thanks for checking the blog and let me invite you to come back to the next post. We will be sharing with you the Views From Our Kayak!!!!!

Snake Creek entrance