A Week at Silver Springs State Park - Part II

 The adventure continues!  

Folks sometimes ask what camera I use.  Until this trip I have used primarily 2 different cameras:  a CoolPix AW110, a waterproof compact camera and a Nikon CoolPix B500, which has a super long 900mm (equivalent) lens and excellent image stabilization.  I also own a Nikon D300S DSLR with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 55-300mm 1:4.5-5.6 G ED lens.  I have not often used the DSLR on the water, because it is bulky, heavy and very susceptible to expensive water damage.  I used this camera for a project a month or so ago and remembered how much I like it.  It will focus and fire much more quickly than my other cameras, which is very handy for bashful wildlife that refuse to sit still and pose.  The 300mm lens is also very suitable for shooting riverside wildlife and sports excellent vibration reduction technology. I used this camera for most of the wildlife shots while traveling this month, and I will be taking the DSLR on most future trips where I expect to see good wildlife.  And then sometimes I break bad and fly the drone ....

The photographic arsenal

The next series of photos are from 2 days paddling different sections of the Ocklawaha River.  The Ocklawaha borders the western edge of the Ocala National Forest.  Click HERE to view the video, which also includes images from Alexander Spring Run.  The video features music by John Prine, one of my favorite singer/songwriters.  John Prine succumbed to COVID-19 last year at age 73. 

Ocklawaha River Gore's Landing to Eureka    9.02 miles

Ocklawaha River Ray Wayside Park to Gore's Landing     10.71 miles

A motley crew

We frequently see folks in a canoe using a kayak paddle, but seldom see a kayaker using a canoe paddle.  But one does what one needs to do to get down the river.

Mitch using half a paddle

This trip is going to the dogs

Great egret on the wing

Red shouldered hawk

Another little blue

Another gator

Belted kingfisher

It's really hard to take a picture of such a small bird moving so fast.  Particularly while kneeling in a moving, bobbing canoe.  Damn Myron, you're good!

Belted kingfisher on the wing

Pair of immature white ibis

Monkeys are also seen on the Ocklawaha:   

Red shouldered hawk

Swamp lily

On Sunday we put in at the CR 445 bridge about a mile below Alexander Springs and paddled Spring Creek aka Alexander Creek aka Alexander Spring Run in the Ocala National Forest.

Alexander Spring Run   5.33 miles

The upper reaches of Spring Creek are characterized by wide prairies filled with vegetation.

 

Tom and Diane on Spring Creek

After 8 nights at Silver Springs State Park we return home to TGO after a three week ramble around central Florida.  Our trip home was uneventful, but we did see one interesting vehicle on the road.  We passed a vintage Newmar Dutch Star.  

Vintage 1996 Newmar Dutch Star on I-95 southbound