Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

Henry David Thoreau

A Side Trip to Alexander Springs Run

Thursday March 24, 2016                                               Most Recent Posts:
Silver Springs State Park                                                The Silver River Never Disappoints
Silver Springs, Florida                                                    Silver Springs River Trails

 

 

IMG_2005

After such a really wonderful paddle on the Silver River yesterday (blog post here), we decide to press our luck and drive up to Alexander Springs to kayak its spring run.   Those who follow along know that we intended to be at Salt Springs for this week but ended up at Silver Springs instead (blog post here).  The main reason for Salt Springs was to Kayak the Salt Spring and Alexander and Juniper Runs.

We’ve ruled out Juniper after reading the reviews which indicate it is a difficult paddle described as a narrow curvy run with the potential of portaging over downed trees.  In my opinion, that kind of kayaking is best done in short light weight boats.   We have done Salt Springs several times previously so we’ll leave that that for another time when it’s easier to get a site there because it isn’t March or April.  It’s all OK, we’ll just have to make fewer car trips from Silver Springs  which suits me fine.

 

 

IMG_2006

 

We put the kayaks on the car and head up to up to Alexander Springs about 40 miles away.  There is not a soul in the parking lot when we arrive.  Cool!

The distance between the nice pull up spot to drop off your kayaks and the put in is about 1/4 the distance of Silver Springs. At Silver Springs you really do need a cart to put in at the campground unless there are two of you to carry one very light kayak.   But Alexander Springs has you covered.  They provide carts for you to roll down the paved, not sand, path.   They don’t provide straps to secure your boat but with care, you don’t need them on a paved service.

 

There is a mist rising off the water as we approach the boat ramp.  This is a picture of the edge of the picnic and springs swimming area.

 

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

 

The dock is very nice and very big which indicates lots of use.  Hope it’s  mostly in the summer.  HA!

 

IMG_2007

 

Usually I get pictures of David launching but today he is first in the water as I head out from the dock.  Not another soul in sight.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

 

 

Nobody on the beach or in the water at the springs which is roped off from the kayak launch area.  At 72 degrees, I think the springs might be mighty fine at this time of morning with no one else around.

 

SAM_3617

 

 

What a beautiful day as we leave the spring behind us and set off down the spring run.

 

IMG_2011

 

The water is crystal clear.

IMG_2013

 

We haven’t gone very far when David spots this flash of yellow in the trees.   What a find.  It’s a darling prothonotary warbler. 

IMG_2025

 

There are two of them flitting around in trees.  They are brilliant yellow/orange, depending on the light, and prefer southeastern wooded swamps. 

 

 

They are really striking with their head and chest such a deep yellow orange and their black eyes and beak.

 

Seeing them bodes really well for this paddle.

 

 

Paddling on down the run I see above me a flock of white birds.  Not sure who they are but now days one does not often see a group of birds overhead unless they are vultures.

 

 

 

Down on the water an anhinga is drying its wings.

 

The little blue heron gives me a face on look as I float past.

 

The cute little grebe is sailing through the sunlight as the turtles crawl up on logs to bask.

 

 

 

This guy apparently has been swimming through some slimy spots

 

IMG_2089

 

IMG_2087

 

I’m paddling along between the increasing splatterdock and the tall grasses when I hear the unmistaktable cry of the limpkin.  Boy are they loud.  Sounds like a very unhappy baby or a woman in serious distress

IMG_2091

 

Sure enough I spot her.  Do you?

IMG_2098

 

 

IMG_2095

 

Chuck and Anneke commented on the Silver River Post  that they love watching turtles and David wondered why it’s never “Look Dad no hands” so here’s another one who might be saying “Look DAD, no hands and no feet”.

 

IMG_2109

 

Did you know turtles had such long dangerous looking claws?  I sure didn’t.

 

IMG_2112

 

Things are getting a bit crowded out here on the run.  Very narrow lanes through the vegetation.  Difficult paddling if you don’t stay on the trail.

 

 

Ok so where is the path??

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

 

I spot another quiet limpkin in the abundant spadderdock.

 

IMG_2154

 

IMG_2157

 

 

At this point there is just too much vegetation for me.  Too much work.  Not enough fun anymore and I decide to turn around and head back.  David continues on.

 

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

 

Once I’m back into the less conjested area of the river I see this double crested cormorant who apparently  hasn’t been fishing lately since he looks completely dry.

 

IMG_2133

 

 

Suddenly in flies an osprey who has been fishing.  He lands in a tree just in front of me with his catch.

IMG_2140

 

I get these shots as I drift by.

 

What are you looking at?

 

 

As I get nearer the park the boats coming down stream increase.  This cormorant got scared into running across the water to get himself into the air.  Talk about walking on water.

 

 

Although David didn’t get to see the osprey with his catch, he did see two things that I missed and got these pictures of the hard to photograph kingfisher, love his hairdo, and an alligator gliding stealthily along.

 

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

 

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

 

 

From the dock where I pull out my kayak, I can look over to the spring and boy have things changed.  Remember those pictures of this area from this morning when we launched?

 

IMG_2164

 

 

IMG_2165

 

I’m back before David so after putting my kayak up on the car I head back down to the springs and take a swim.  My cameraman was otherwise engaged so no picture.  There are a fair number of people in the spring but many more in the picnic area or on the beach.

 

 

It’s not too long before David returns and we are on our way.  The parking lot which was completely empty when we arrived tells the story now.  Repeat after me.  Come early, leave early, unless you love a party atmosphere with 100 or so of your new best friends.

 

IMG_2160

 

 

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

 

We’re headed home for an early dinner but life is short.  Dessert first so we stop off at Bruster’s. Remember they made JMC for us though they didn’t put it on the menu.  Maybe it really is only for us. 

Sorry for the glare on the menu.  Hope you can read all the flavors.

It is absolutely delicious!!  Coconut ice cream with fudge, and almonds!  Who could ask for anything more!!

 

Although I would have liked to eat them both, I didn’t.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

16 comments:

  1. Love that Warbler, hope to see one someday. Looks like being an early riser really paid off.

    ReplyDelete
  2. We loved Alexander Springs. For us it was quiet and few people. I especially loved swimming there with my friend Alison. Beautiful memories. Although we didn't get that great ice cream at the end.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alexander Springs was one of our favorite paddles this winter. We were alone for most of time there -- but that was in February. I can't believe how many more people are there in March. How wonderful that you saw (and photographed) the beautiful Prothonotary Warbler! Must be spring migration at the springs. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Those cones are bigger than you! :-) Yum!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow! Talk about a change! Good you got out early...the steam was still coming off the water. Beautiful:) That little yellow guy sure is bright and so pretty:) You got some awesome shots of that osprey with its breakfast. He didn't like you watching:) Wow! Those are some long nails on that turtle. Thanks for the close up! Another wonderful day on the water:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a bird bonanza! As they say the early bird gets the "worm" or perhaps "place to themselves" is the way to say it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. That warbler was gorgeous and you got a great shot of the osprey with his fish.

    I think Juniper springs was our very first kayak trip and it was quite a difficult trip, complete with a gator racing by Al as he was walking back to the boat then to a narrow path beside a big gator, and ended with a bad lightning storm. Haven't been back since. :) It was a gorgeous paddle though with pretty yellow and orange water, but it was a lot of work. Tell David "good job" on the Kingfisher!

    ReplyDelete
  8. A lot of wildlife to keep you company during your paddling! Beautiful shots!

    ReplyDelete
  9. A real trifecta for me - anhinga, grebe and turtle - thanks!! The warbler is a real shock of color in all the green and gray. David's kingfisher is such a funny guy, nice catch! As is the osprey, also a big favorite. Swimming in those beautiful springs must be such a treat, although the crowd is a bummer. What a difference in the numbers from arrival and departure!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wonderful post...love the warbler and your smile with the JMC!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. The crystal clear water in the first few pictures is really amazing. I can't believe the difference between "before" and "after", as far as crowds go.

    (I got to this post by going to your list - upper right side of the blog, and clicked on the title of the post.)

    ReplyDelete
  12. The mist rising off the water is rather surreal as is the cloud reflection. Such a lot of birds, with that yellow warbler being so bright. OMG, what a difference all your paddling hours made with those crowds. You're so smart to get out early. Happy you got your JMC ice cream.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow, the Prothonotary Warbler is one of my fave migratory birds, and glad you spot them as it brough back memories of viewing them, lots of them last spring in Alabama.
    Im with you in your mantra, Come early, leave early...we like friends but not a 100 noisy ones.
    One day I have to try your JMC.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love the turquoise eye on the anhinga! What a great day for wildlife, such variety all nicely captured by your camera. Best picture is that big smile over the two cones though. I know you would gladly have eaten both if you thought you could get away with it. Still my very favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  15. That warbler was a great sighting! Yay for JMC...I would have been anticipating that all though the paddle :) So many birds and turtles ... nice to see nature thrive!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are the best part of this blog for me.
I LOVE hearing from you!