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Sunday, February 9, 2014

Rock Springs Run

Eyes in the Forest

Today visited Wekiwa Springs State Park and Rock Springs Run. It was a relaxing paddle from the State Park, to Big Buck Camp site, and back to the State Park. The Run was not too busy but the Wekiva River was as the day was almost picture perfect. The opening may not be the best pic of the paddle but for me is beautiful. A sample that you have to be aware that the forest has eyes.

Pied Billed Grebe

Put In / Take Out: Wekiwa Springs State Park. The fee is $4 per vehicle but check their web site for more details. The beach where you put in is nice, how do you get there is another story. If you have a cart, this is the place to use it. I have to remind this to myself.

Anhinga

Put in short of 9 AM. The water warmer than the air created a steam like blanket that look very nice. Spent several minutes around the lagoon as it is a good place to see wildlife early, before the crowds fill it. Here are the pics of what I saw around the lagoon at the time and on my way to the Rock Springs Run. The deer pic that made the opening was taken between the lagoon and the confluence, first time I have seen a deer in the area.


Lagoon scene

Eastern Phoebe

Turtles

Great Blue Heron and Female Anhiga

Tri-Colored Heron

Tri-Colored Heron

Green Heron

Green Heron

Gray Catbird

More Turtles

Eastern Phoebe

Red Bellied Woodpecker


Warbler (Yellow Rumped???)

Great Egret

Made it to the confluence of the river with Rock Springs Run. The water coming down of The Run looked like the one from the Econlockhatchee River because all the rain we have had lately. It is also higher than usual for the same reasons. Anyways, my paddle up The Run was relaxing as only saw a canoe coming down. Here are the pics of what I saw at Rock Springs Run...

Limpkin

Ibis'Trio

Little Gator

Deer Across Indian Mound Campsite

Deer Across Indian Mound Campsite

Deer Across Indian Mound Campsite

Deer Across Indian Mound Campsite

Made it to Big Buck Campsite, stretched my legs for a few minutes and then started my downstream trip back to the State Park. The Run became busier as I approached the confluence with the Wekiva River. Here are the pics of that span of the trip...

Red Shouldered Hawk

Gator

Limpkin

Limpkin

Limpkin

Pied Billed Grebe

Osprey

Osprey

Started my walk of shame carrying my kayak to the parking lot. Walk of Shame because I do have a cart  for whenever I paddle here and always leave forget it at home. Stopped for a break and took a few pics of a Blue Gray Gnatcatcher. Then, on my way out the park, drove around and took a pic of a Cooper's Hawk.

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Cooper's Hawk

And this is it for this one. Take a look to our Facebook Page for more pics from this and past trips. Thanks for reading and hope you return soon we can share more Views From Our Kayak.

Wekiwa Springs Lagoon



Saturday, February 1, 2014

Orlando Wetlands Park - Opening Day (NKP)

Bald Eagles

The plan was not going to Orlando Wetlands Park but to check the eagles' nest in the Econ and kayak tomorrow somewhere (have not decide yet). My wife took the mini-van this morning and came back past 1 PM. Thought that there was still time to check the eagles' nest. But surprise...surprise...someone decided to pave the access road to the parking area today. Turned around to go home but then remembered that the Orlando Wetlands Park re-opened today and decided to pay a short visit. Short but a good one, or at least that is what I believe. Do not know, you tell me...

Roseate Spoonbill

Glossy Ibis

Spoonie and Snowy Egret

Spoonie

Snowy Egret

A duck. Some one I had never seen before. Working on the ID

Little Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Spoonie

Glossy Ibis

Orlando Wetlands Park Scene

Flocks

Sandhill Crane Formation

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Wood Stork

Belted Kingfisher

Gator

Same gator of the above pic but there were several on the banks

Green Heron

Green Heron

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Black Bellied Whistling Ducks

Bald Eagle

Red Winged Black Bird

American Bittern

Ibis

Ibis and Snowy Egret

Great Egret and Ibis

Belted Kingfisher

Sparrow????

No comments, no story behind here. Just pics. Wanted to go to see the Vermilion Flycatcher but the Sun was going down, the park closed at 6:10 PM and did not have time to walk all the way to where the little red fellow is. Next time. Anyway...Thanks for coming, always check our Facebook Page for more pics of this and past trips and see you soon to share Views From Our Kayak.

Sun falls down on the Orlando Wetlands Park