Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Withlacoochee & Rainbow Rivers

We would spend four days/nights camping at Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon, FL. During the day, we explored the Withlacoochee and Rainbow Rivers. It would be mostly sunny and hot, with afternoon showers.

At night, the full moon was suspended high in the October sky. It was surrounded by a halo of orange red clouds. The Blood Moon cast its subtle, illusive light over our campsite.

Each morning, a symphony of birds filled the air with serenade...welcoming the new day. At times, a crow joined with a raucous call...greeting or warning?






Paynes Prairie Preserve

Florida's first preserve, located in Micanopy. Beautiful, peaceful...


Alligator on Lake Wauberg

Silver River State Park

Silver River State Park in Ocala, FL
Hawk takes flight early one evening.


Pileated Woodpecker

Rainbow River May 2009

Rainbow River in Dunnellon, FL is always beautiful....It's a spring fed river that flows for more than 5 miles, eventually joining with the Withlacoochee. Crystal clear and the water is cool!










Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Circle B Bar Reserve

It was sunny and a cool breeze blew over the marsh. It seemed a nice day for a ride before lunch. A few white pelicans and roseate spoonbills lingered at the Reserve.











Friday, April 10, 2009

Honeymoon Island, April 2009



The air was cool, and the sky and water were a brilliant blue....



Early afternoon, a heavy mist drifted across the water, enveloping us.

Seagulls resting on an oyster bed.



Brown Pelican - "The pelican holds the knowledge of how to rise above life's trials."

Little Blue Heron - Teaches one to select the path that's best for you; make your own way.















Reference: T. Andrews, Animal-Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small, p. 156-157, 183.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Silver River SP March 26, 2009






We would only be at the park two nights, and we decided to rent a cabin rather than pitch a tent! This was the first time that we had stayed in a cabin and the bathroom and kitchen were convenient. Possibly, we'll do this again in the future!

We paddled the river during the morning and early afternoon, and biked the trails during the afternoon and early evening.

The water was crystal clear, and the trees were vibrant with new leaves in bright shades of green.



The water level in the surrounding swamp was down, and the cypress roots formed ribbons, caves, and spirit villages.


























































Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron


Nesting Cormorants






















Flirting with disaster!


Young White Ibis

Red-Bellied Woodpecker











































Bike & Ross Allen Trails

Additional Information:

Our paddle started at the state park launch area. The carry is 3/4 of a mile, or canoes can be rented at the state park. Silver Springs is upstream from the launch.


Silver River State Park - http://www.floridastateparks.org/Silverriver/