A Look at the Springs at Salt Springs

Friday December 5, 2014
Salt Springs Recreation Area Campground
Salt Springs, Florida

 

 

I’m out for another morning walk before Sunrise.  No sunrise, only fog.   This is getting to be a pattern. 

I love this giant spreading oak at the corner of the campground road and the path to the the Florida Birding Trail.  It fills up my lens.

 

Yesterday I turned right, today I turn left.  Turns out it doesn’t make any difference since this is a circular trail known here as the Bear Swamp Trail.  I wonder if the Great Florida Birding Trail is just a compilation of local trails that get themselves somehow into the designation.  I know it’s not like the Florida Trail which goes from North to South across the state.

I think this is how fall in Florida looks or at least this section of Florida.

 

 

 

Looks kind of like a jungle doesn’t it?

 

 

I come to the boardwalk through the swamp which is totally dry.

 

Anything on the ground seems to get instantly covered with moss.

 

This great tree needs a hug.  It doesn’t look so big in the first picture.  But notice in the second that the burl is just barely visible above my head.   I did have to step off the boardwalk onto the dry ground for this hug.

 

 

 

 

 

The boardwalk is covered with leaves. I love the look.  These don’t have to be raked or noisily blown away thankfully.

 

 

Some sections of the swamp do still have water in them.  The reflections are interesting with all the leaves floating.

 

 

The forest is mainly understory with trees towering above, live oaks and big pines like this one which make beautiful skyward pictures.

 

 

 

 

I go all the way around the loop of the Bear Swamp Trail, about 1.7 miles.  I pass where I came in and get off at the same place as yesterday, right where the sign for The Bear Swamp Trail is.  I head down the road and instead of taking the left fork to the boat ramp, today I take the right to the spring.

 

 

 

One end of the spring is rather like a swimming pool.  The other is much more natural.

 

It’s an easy entry way in for a swim but not quite warm enough for me yet.

 

 

 

The usual suspects are here this morning.  The cormorant and the great blue heron who seems to have her own island.  She gives me quite a look.

 

 

 

This is the same bird, honestly.  Looks more regal here.

 

For all the days we have been here, this “antique” houseboat has been anchored just outside the spring run.  When I come up, the man is waist deep in the water bailing out the little motor boat.  The woman is…….well………..

 

 

 

 

I make several attempts at a picture of the illusive kingfisher but the fog is compromising.  Same problem with the flock of turkeys on the far bank.  Can you even see them?

 

 

 

Time to head back for breakfast.  On my way I pass this antique which I like better than the houseboat.

 

 

It’s warm enough to leave the door open for the first time since we arrived in Florida.  Whoo Hoo!

 

Unfortunately for David he has to go for the 2nd infusion.  27 mile drive one way.  This time I decline.  He leaves at 9:30 and doesn’t get back until 4:30.  What takes so long?  Not the infusion, he was finished with that at 1:30 but Ruby needed gas and he drove right by Harbor Freight on his way back.  Actually he didn’t drive by.  He stopped again with no one waiting for him.

While he’s gone, I make a gallon of soup to use for quick meals at Disneyworld.  This time for my birthday.  I’ve been a very good girl this past year.

 

 

 

When he finally gets back, he’s just had another dose of  dex so he wants to walk down to the spring in spite of the fact that it is nearly dark.  So we do.  And when we get back it is dark and we have to put the kayaks on the car in the dark.  I got mine on with the porch light.  David’s holding a flashlight in his mouth.  I have to use the flash to get this picture.  It’s actually pitch dark.

 

We’re going out before sunrise tomorrow in search of manatee.  Check back to see if we find them.