Econlockhatchee River

Econ Bald Eagle

On Feb 7th put the kayak at the Snow Hill Rd and went up river on the Econlockhatchee River. The Econ, as is commonly known, is prime habitat for the Bald Eagle and more times than not the majestic birds can be spotted there. There is this particular area where a nesting pair has a nest and to that area, up river from the Snow Hill Rd bridge, I headed at 7:30 AM on a cold morning.

Great Blue Heron

Put In / Take Out: Snow Hill Rd bridge over the Econ. No fee to use this facility. A little steep with loose gravel so be careful. It is usually busy on weekends so get there early. It was also my take out point.

Econ River Turtle

There is not too much to say about this trip. It is a bit hard to spot wildlife in the Econ, except gators...big gators, but it was too cold yesterday morning so did not expect to see any. Saw a little one on my way down river which gave me no chance for a pic. Here are my pics from my up river paddle.

Econlockhatchee River early in the morning

Red Shouldered Hawk

Red Shouldered Hawks

Red Shouldered Hawks

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Flagler Trail bridge over the Econ ahead

Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

Made it to the eagles nest by 9:15 AM, where the Belted Kingfisher above greeted me. Pretty cooperative lady was this one. Let me take a few pics before flying away. Did not see the eagle at the nest first and was going to kept up river for 30 more minutes but then saw movement and saw an eagle there. Beached the kayak across the river and spent some 20 minutes taking pics of it while on the nest. It jumped to a branch so I jumped into the kayak to get closer and more pics. I think there are eaglets there since heard some noises coming from the nest. Here are the eagles' nest pics...(not my best pics...the eagle was partially in the shade and did not know how to set the camera for that situation).

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

At 11 AM started my paddle down river back to the Snow Hill Rd bridge. Here are the pics from that leg. Missed otters, twice, and a little gator jumping of a log...

Turtle

Turtle

Turtles

Juvenile Little Blue Heron

Juvenile Little Blue Heron

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

And this is it for this one. Thanks for coming and hope you liked this one. A few more pics to be posted on the Facebook page. Consider yourself invited for the next post, when we will be sharing with you more Views From Our Kayak.

Econlockhatchee River Bald Eagle

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