Wednesday, March 31, 2021

The Perfect Way to Start Any Day

February 2021                                                               Most Recent Posts:
Silver Springs State Park                       First Days at Silver Springs State Park
Silver Springs, Florida                            On the Prairie in the Middle of Florida

 

As I mentioned in my previous post (link above), I go kayaking on the river first thing every morning the weather will allow.

Today, I was barely out on the water when I saw this Osprey overhead.  I was excited to see him as at least for me sighting them here is relatively rare.  What a face!

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Probably the two water birds I see most often here are the Anhinga and the Wood Duck.  Just to say that seems amazing.

When I first began coming to what was then Silver River State Park, about 10 years ago, it was rare to see a Wood Duck and if I did, they wouldn’t stay around long once they saw me.  Over the years, as the state bought the Head Spring park and changed the rules about what could be done, Wood Ducks have gotten more and more numerous and less skittish of kayakers.

Today I paddled by this line up.  All on one log, a male anhinga, then turtles then Mr & Ms Wood Duck and more turtles.   They were all enjoying the sun.  Me too.


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Another relatively common bird here is the Moorhen.  I hope you can see that his legs and bill tip are color coordinated.  Pretty slick.

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The most amazing encounter on this day, and the reason for the blog title, was paddling right beside this trio as they cruised the river together.  Not sure how the wood duck couple know the alligator isn’t hungry.  Take a look at this video showing how close we all are.


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A very rare sighting is any turtle above water on the river.  They dive as soon as they see you.  And especially amazing is that this is Florida Soft Shelled Turtle.  See his distinctive nose?


Not only do the large wide based Bald Cypress trees have amazing knees but they also have what I call great toes which of course are roots and more visible during low water such as this.  These trees grow to over 150’ tall and more than 6’ in diameter.  Quite majestic!

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One of the things the park service did when it took over the entire Silver River was to prohibit fishing.  Not so nice for the fishermen but great for the rebounding fish populations and my frequency of seeing them in the clear water.

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For my turtle lovers, I saw what I assume is this family of mom and various sized kids.  Luckily they didn’t all slip back into the water before I could get these pictures.


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This fella really looked stuffed into his skin.  Even his feet as he sunned on this log.


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Check out those claws  Don’t his elbows look like he’s wearing an alligator suit?

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I looked twice at this  river art as I paddled by.  What’s it look like to you?

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Some mornings it was quite foggy on the river.  I thought the female wood duck looked especially ethereal in the fog.


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It wasn’t long until the sun burned off the fog and the day became bright and beautiful.

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Unlike the wood ducks and the alligators whom I could paddle along beside and spend some time with them watching, this Black Crowned Night Heron was doing his fishing at one spot which I had a hard time staying by with the flowing spring water wanting to push me down stream.


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He was so much fun to watch as he walk along the water and jabbed his bill down to catch whatever he saw.  Notice his yellow breeding colors.

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Some other birds looking beautiful this morning were the male Anhinga drying his wings and the Great Egret in his breeding feathers.


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Wet head.  Notice the breeding color .

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The varicolored green heron was skulking up on his prey too.

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The waters and sky were almost the same color.   I feel so lucky to be kayaking on water that is so clean and clear. Now if they would just ban gasoline engine boats along with fishing, wouldn’t that be heaven?

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I remember the first winter I spent in Florida, I was amazed at the size of the Great Blue Heron.  He seemed so rare and exotic.  I try not to let familiarity and that he is a common resident bird cloud my vision of his beauty.   He has his breeding feathers on too.

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And then the manatee again.  I know I showed them in my last blog but they are such a delight and I know I will be heading north after this.  And there are so few places in my travels where I see them.  So,  more manatee pictures.

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Many of us hung around watching them not trying to be too bothersome.

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A mother and calf.  What a treat!

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Apparently breeding season was some time ago for the cormorant.  As I neared the head spring I saw this nest.  The “baby” isn’t so small.

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I turned in to the Fort King water trail to start my floating trip back and passed under the bridge that on another day I will walk over. Very picturesque as I’m sure they intended.

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It’s about 10am and the masses have arrived at the canoe/kayak rental dock.
I won’t have the river to myself any more.


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But I do find a few out of the way places and in one of them find the monkeys.  But that’s for another post.  A teaser for you to anticipate.


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It was definitely a Wood Duck day.  These two pairs were in no hurry as I neared the end of the Fort King trail and found myself back out in the main river.  The amazing colors and design of the male Wood Duck is a testament to Nature’s magic.



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Two gators nose to tail in the sun.


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The Pied Billed Grebe is very difficult to take pictures of.  He’s quite skittish and dives the moment you get your camera up.  But I think he’s so cute I just keep trying and some times get lucky.  He blends in so well that he’s hard to spot in the first place.

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If there is a better way to start every day than on this wonderful river, I have no idea what it is.

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And to top it off, this fine hawk flew in right in front of me as I was walking through the woods almost back to Winnona.

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What I do with the rest of the hours of my days isn’t nearly as interesting as my mornings.  If there were fewer people on the water I might never come in.

43 comments:

  1. A friend has recently retired and just started kayaking. She spent some of this winter here in Arizona, but intends of spend next winter in Florida. I'm going to suggest that she read your blog!

    Virtual hugs,

    Judie

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    1. Thanks for the compliment Judie. I'm happy to help her in any way I can the wintering in Florida has become very difficult as I've explained. I suppose there's not much kayaking in Arizona. Maybe that's the real reason I'm never able to get out there

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  2. What a nice way to start the day.

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  3. Very cool! Those ducks were lucky they didn't become breakfast! That other alligator was sure a fat one. Love the crystal clear water of the Silver river.

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    1. Maybe the fat alligator had just had careless ducks for lunch who knows.

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  4. You must have a lot of patience when taking photos of birds, and other wildlife.

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    1. I just take way too many pictures Gypsy and get lucky every once in awhile

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  5. An enjoyable morning for sure! Love all the nature!

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    1. No place better for the soul than out in nature. Good to see you here Jeannie

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  6. I love this post!!! Great photos and the memories it brought back to me...Silver River is my favorite!!! Can't wait to see the wonderful monkeys😊

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    1. Thanks Nancy. I always think of the four of us being here when I come. Wish that were still possible.

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  7. I don’t know how you do it. By the time I get my phone up and pointed in the right direction to take a picture of some incredibly beautiful bird, the bird is gone. You consistently are right in the pocket with your bird pics.

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    1. I don't use my phone Cindy. I have a camera with a zoom lens and a kayak with a rudder both of which help a lot. Thanks so much for the compliment and the comment

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  8. Beautiful photos. Nice and clear. Looks like a fun ride.

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    1. Thanks Flowergirl. It is a wonderful kayak every morning. It never disappoints.

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    1. Yes they do don't they. Perhaps that's why the ducks were not worried

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  10. Two things: 1) are those ducks crazy swimming so close to that alligator? and 2) something about this post makes me think of and miss David. I think it's just thinking of y'all kayaking together. Woe is me, but thank you for sharing. ❤️

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    1. That's why I took the video. I guess the ducks had some sense that he wasn't hungry. So many memories with David here. It's hard not to be sad. Thanks for your comment Pam.

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    1. I could watch them for hours William. They are so gentle and curious. if there aren't too many people around in kayaks sometimes they'll come right up to your boat and check it out.

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  12. Thanks so much for the compliment and the comment. Lots more Silver Springs to come.

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  13. Wonderful bird ad reptile pictures, reminds me of our times at Brazos Bend State Park in Texas, though no getting on the water there.

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    1. Thanks so much Faye. I'll put Brazos on my Texas list. Any other Texas state parks you'd recommend?

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  14. WOW! Those are amazing photos, and love the video. Really enjoy the wood ducks. I need you as my tour guide when I get back to the Florida parks!

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    1. Happy to oblige Brenda. Thanks for the compliment. Just let me know when you'll be back in Florida for the winter. Sounds like you're doing Texas again next year in spite of this winter

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  15. Great post! I’ve only every saw one wood duck in the wild. Beautiful bird, I’m fascinated by the colors and pattern, and to think both (colors and pattern) are made by feathers.

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    1. It is amazing isn't it Doris. They are such intricately patterned Birds. An Amazing Creation.

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  16. Those wood ducks are amazingly colored, I can see why you're so fond of them.

    Loved the video clip, wish our politicians (both sides) would take a lesson from them, lets move along together with no fighting. Lots can be learned from nature. ;c)

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    1. You are so right Paul, lots to be learned from nature. But oh, I bet if that Gator had been hungry those wood ducks would have been lunch. I wonder how they knew they were safe.

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  17. Well, you did it again. So many beautiful bird shots. Nice to be around an area long enough to see daily and seasonal changes. I love how wildlife can hang out together in seeming harmony, unless it's a hungry gator. Plus the Manatee. I think I'd cry as I've never seen them before. The Cypress look surreal to me and after seeing them through your eyes for years makes me wish I'd saved the two small knees Mom and Dad had. I really think you should propose to be a naturalist volunteer. Thanks again, for taking us along.

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    1. Thank you for coming along Gaelyn and for your wonderful comments. I do love returning to the same places year after year and often wish I could stay longer in one spot than they will allow. Wish you could come to Florida I'd love to share the Manatee with you.

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  18. I agree with you, I don't think there's any better way to start a day than kayaking. It always makes me feel so peaceful. All of your wildlife sightings are wonderful, but I especially love seeing all of your Wood Ducks. I always think of them as paint-by-number ducks. I appreciate what you said about never taking nature and the wonders we are lucky to encounter for granted.

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    1. Peaceful is it exactly. I'd think I'd died and gone to heaven if I was owned your place where you could kayak every single morning of the year if it wasn't raining. So fine!

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  19. Neat way to start a day. Photos as always are beautiful. We used to go to Silver Springs back in the 60's when we lived in Gainesville. They had the glass bottomed boat back then... long before it was a State Park. Thank goodness they took it over and are preserving it.

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    1. Glass bottom boats are still there Rodger. Yes I too am very glad the state took it over

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  20. aahhhh....so relaxed now. Anhingas and green herons are always favorites but the night heron stole the show this time - what a beauty. Your osprey and hawk are gorgeous. Thanks for all the turtles too! That stuffed gator looks like he's on steroids :-) Fun to find all the critters on one log, expected them to break out in a line dance. Love the duck in the fog. I know you've moved on now but it's wonderful to think of you enjoying this peaceful place.

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  21. Thanks for your great comment Jodee. You gave me a great laugh about the line dance. What a picture. Great to imagine

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  22. Your posts always have great photographs, but I think you have excelled yourself with this one. They are beautiful!

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    1. Thank you Michele what a very nice compliment. I'm glad you like them.

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