Paddling close to home

Nothing like paddling close to the house. Today we got one of the torrential downpours. I swear we got an inch in about 30 minutes. As I type this the sun is back out. This is me and my son in the canoe under the swing set.

My daughter and son are in the boat having fun. I have to say the umbrellas make great foul weather gear. 

It took them a little while to talk me into getting out the canoe. But we had fun. I know none of us are wearing life jackets but the water was barely deep enough to float the boat I figured we could risk it. They tried to talk me into the paddles but that was where I drew the line.

Wacissa River 3-09

Back paddling after a long break. It has been along time since I have been out paddling. My shoulder is finally feeling better and I have taken up running. I have even started training for some triathlons this summer. I had a free weekend and decided to go paddle the Wacissa River. This is one of my favorite place to paddle. There is usually a ton of wildlife on the river. Today there wasn't as much as in past trips. It was such a nice day, however. It was really good to be back on the water. My boat felt good going through the water.

This is a Great Blue Heron that was hanging out on the side of the river. I watched him for quite a while. Then the wind blew me off the weeds I was sitting in and this was enough to cause him to fly off.
I have to check my bird book when I get home but I am pretty sure this is a juvenile White Egret. They start out dark and then turn white. Also in the picture is a turtle. They were both soaking up some sun. It was kind of cool and breezy.

This guy was definitely soaking up some rays. They have these swim platforms up in Blue Spring and this gator was hanging out. Not that there were people wanting to swim but this would cut down on the swimmers. He is only about 5 feet long but that was big enough for me. It was a very nice day out on the river and I am staying at one of the cabins at the KOA campground by Tallahassee. The cabins are pretty nice and it really cuts donw on the noise from the highway. Tomorrow I am going to spend some more time on the river early in the morning. 

Stay tuned

River images

I haven't been paddling much lately. I have been teaching a lot and doing physical therapy for my shoulder. Enough about that though, here is a vase I had in my studio. I had always intended to do some carving on it. I decided to carve this Snowy Egret on it. I am pretty happy with how it came out. The vase is made from Sycamore. The picture is a combination of carving and wood burning. Stuff like this will keep my busy when I am unable to get out on the water. 

Lately there have been 2 wood storks hanging out at the drainage ditch by my house. I need to get some pictures of them the next time they are around.

I hurt my shoulder

Today I went to the doctor to have my shoulder looked at today. It has been hurting for a while. I haven't been doing as much paddling as I would like. I have a small tear in one of the muscles. I will have to do a few weeks of physical therapy. I am betting one of the exercises won't be the rowing machine. I don't start the therapy for 2 weeks so I will have to be patient. This is going to cut down on my time out on the water.   :-(

The good news is I have a lot of wood turning classes coming up so I was going to be pretty busy teaching and wouldn't have a lot of time to paddle. I was planning on a day or 2 on the water though. Time will tell. And I will definitely be back out there. 

Black & White Wednesday

This is an older picture. I was unable to get out on the water last weekend. I liked this picture it reminded me of a little kid sitting over in the corner thinking if I don't look at you then you really aren't there.

  

As I drifted by, this guy never moved. Although it is amazing how fast they are able to move when the mood strikes them. And you hate to see them slide into the water as you approach. Especially if the water is dark and you can't see where they are going. 

I hope you enjoy the picture and my the alligators always ignore you too !!!

Black & White Wednesday

My boat is waiting patiently...

I usually carry the boat down to the water first and then return for the rest of my gear. This day was no exception. I can carry everything down in one trip but two is much easier. When the water is this dark you get the nice reflections. The tannins in the water made it the darkest I have seen water in a while. I saw my share of dark water when I used to clean boat bottoms. I would dive somedays and would have zero visibility. Some days I could hold my dive light out at arms reach and not be able to see it shining at my face. Days like that are great for reflections but bad for working under water. 

Juniper Prairie

After cruising downstream through the jungle. The creek opens up a bit and you are greeted by a bit of Florida type Prairie. I spotted this palm tree and took a few pictures as the current swept me by. 

Enjoy,