Kayaking the Myakka

Sunday January 22, 2012
Myakka State Park  Site 80

We are out before sunrise

At dawn, we go up to the bird walk on the lake.

The early morning fog over the water and land gives it an
other worldly feel. 
It is so wonderful being out in the early
morning quiet with the birds.
We see the same folks,
wood storks, spoonbills, egrets, herons
and today a group of sandhill cranes.

The Light is perfect.

As we walk back, the light is just right
for seeing clearly a display of spider weavings
in the grasses along the board walk
They are such artists.

 

 

Breakfast is calling so we head back for Winnona.
I’m reading The China Study aloud as David
cooks.

We spend a little time on the computer
but the temperatures are climbing, the high
forecast is 77 and that seems perfect for a kayak
of the Myakka River.

The river water level is low.

We’ve seen many cars come in with
kayaks and canoes but almost none in the water.
However,  almost doesn’t mean no one and
we decide to take a chance.   We can always
portage if we have to.

I just want to be on the water
and drift away.

There is a put in at a picnic area just down
the park road from us so
we pull the kayaks over on carts
and launch.

So many birds are along the river.

They are in the trees, on the banks, in the water.
They seem to be everywhere, around every curve.

We see a kestrel in the water

watch an osprey eat a fish in a tree

and later see another in the water.

We paddle lazily along.

The birds are so close.  They don’t move as
we drift by.  They too seem
mesmerized by the day.

The river shows many different faces as
we paddle

up

and back

This day so warm and lovely

So full, so peaceful.
This is what I love and exactly where I want to be.