Get together at Silver Springs State Park, Part 1

A group of my Women RV friends and I are having a get-together at Silver Springs State Park. This is Margie and Roger's site and Linda's site in the background.

My site, Soos' red truck (travel trailer is hidden), and Donna's RV in the background.

Monday morning walk with the dogs. Donna and Maggie, Soos with Dinah and Molly.

Scenes along the River Trail....Live Oak trees.

Saw several deer, but liked this picture best of mama and fawn.

Tarzan-type vines

The kayak ramp at the river. Morning fog on the water.

Green Heron and Pied-billed Grebe.

Another shot of the Green Heron.

Silver River State Park has recently taken over the former Silver Springs Attraction making it part of the park, now called Silver Springs State Park. They built a new kayak/canoe launch at the headwaters, so some of us decided to try it out. Donna and Soos rented a canoe to paddle the newly created loop trail near the headwaters. I put in with my kayoo and will paddle downstream to the other ramp near the campground.

Donna is in front; Soos, the more experienced paddler, is in the rear. Donna is not sure she likes being up so high.

Soos was worried about the 2 hour time limit, so she zoomed off pretty fast. Later she relaxed when she realized there was plenty of time.

One of the Silver Springs attraction boat rides used this side channel, but kayaks have never before been allowed on it. Some of the former history displays are still there. This is a replica of Fort King which was used in the Seminole Wars.

Checking out the wildlife...

More remains of the attraction. These buildings will be removed and the area allowed to return to its natural state.

Yellow-bellied Sliders

Donna and Soos are at the gate that leads back out on the main part of the river. That's a Little Blue Heron behind them.

Little Blue Heron

This Great Blue Heron is focused on his prey...

He ought to be looking behind him.

We are now paddling upstream to the main springs.

More turtles. They are liking the warm sunshine.

He likes it too.

Tri-colored Heron

Donna and Soos

Approaching the main spring.

It is very deep. Don't look down, Donna!

Donna doesn't like heights.

So she couldn't really enjoy the beauty of the springs.

The famous Glass Bottom Boats are still running, operated by a concessionaire. Donna and Soos took my car back to the campground. We'll paddle back.

Female anhinga drying her wings. You can tell she's female because of the blond neck.

Oh yeah, he's a big one.

The kayoo works great on this kind of water....just glides along as I take pictures.

Cormorant swimming. I love their blue eyes.

Big Gar

Nice composition don't you think?

Kayoo shadow

Another Green Heron

Common Moorhen

Belted Kingfisher

Great Egret among the Cypress Knees

Lots of Green Herons on the river today.

White Ibis

Three Comorant Sentinels

Big daddy gator

This is a male anhinga, with a black neck.

Maybe a catfish?

Little Blue Heron

Back at the campground, linda is cooking dinner. For an informal get-together, we sure know how to eat.

 Left-to-right: Soos, Roger and Margie, Linda, me, Donna

Stay tuned....that was just the first full day.