Silver Springs with Friends

I had a mini get-together with RV forum friends, and Tina, Judy, and I decided to kayak the Silver River. Tina used her inflatable kayak.

Judy rented a kayak.

This was Judy's first time kayaking. She took to it like a pro.

And of course I used my kayoo.

It was a cool, but beautiful sunshiny day to gaze into the clear spring waters.

We started at the main spring and did a loop down the river and back by way of the Fort King paddling trail.

Tina and Judy floating over the main spring. We had to make way for the glass-bottom boat approaching.

I borrowed this pic from Judy's post, so there'd be one of me.

 Judy and Tina looking at the big fish in the main spring.

We saw lots of turtles sunning themselves.

I was taking a picture of the Common Moorhen on the right, but noticed the green heron on the left when I loaded it on the computer.

Drifting past a gator...

Cormorants and turtles on the log.

White Ibises

This Tri-colored Heron was busy fishing.

A Little Blue Heron and a moss-covered turtle.

Paddling was easy.

I think these fish were looking for a hand-out.

Perhaps some kayakers do that, but they got nothing from me.

Snowy Egret with a catch.

Anhinga drying her wings with turtles.

Judy getting a close-up of the big gator. I just use my zoom lens, haha.

Couldn't have asked for a nicer day.

Sometimes the wildlife was a little hidden in the vegetation.

Great Blue Heron.

This is an immature Little Blue Heron. 

Tina turning into the entrance of the Fort King Paddling trail that will take us back upstream to the boat launch.

This was once the route of the Jungle Cruise at Silver Springs attraction. 

Judy is still smiling!

Green Heron

I think Judy said she counted 20 turtles on this log, plus a couple anhingas.

Tina taking a photo.

On the left is a replica of Fort King, located near here during the Seminole Wars. These structures were part of the Silver Springs Attraction. The park is now being allowed to return to its natural state.

Tina in her Sea Eagle inflatable.

Female anhinga.

When we took Judy back to the campground the fire-fighters and rangers were doing a prescribed burn in the park.