January 23, 2013

1.23.13 Hanes Creek, Burrell Lock & Dam, Lake Harris

Down in the mid 40’s last night.

At 6 am we started the generator, heater and chargers, and went back to bed until 7:30. By then, the sun was shinning brightly on the rear deck. We have 3 items we can run on our 1000 watt generator: toaster, coffee maker and heater, but only one at a time, so I unplugged the heater and started the coffee. We sat in the sunshine and enjoyed it.

There was a light mist rising from the water. This is looking back into Gator Hole.

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We had our breakfast of a toaster waffle, eggs and sausage and then hauled in the anchor and headed across Lake Eustis to Hanes Creek.

It’s a long slow ride to the Burrell Lock and Dam. This is my favorite spot. I love these old Cyprus trees and their “knees”.

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Just before the lock I spotted this White Heron and “Elusive” Limpkin.

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Now …. who would think Florida would need a lock…but there are several through out the state.

The last time thru here we only dropped 2’…today it was 5’. Once in Lake Griffin we only had a depth of 3’ for quite a ways so we decided to head back to Lake Eustis, get some gas and cross into Lake Harris and anchor for the night.

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There were several fishing boats on the creek.

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This Osprey didn’t show us his best side…but he did show off the fish he’d just caught. Bet it’s not “catch and release”.

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This Anhinga is a common sight on the waterways. Sometimes called the “Snake” bird because its long neck and head are all you see when it is in the water.

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Here’s a cute little “Shanty” boat for sale.

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We are anchored by Long Island in Lake Harris, FL. Turns out to be an interesting spot. While I was working on this blog and fixing supper, several Sea Planes took off and landed.

This one had just landed.

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Didn’t see this one till it was already in the air.

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I guess we are anchored along side the runway.

Suppers on the stove, batteries are charging….then it will be wine on the rear deck. What a great way to end the day. Hope we have a few more landings.

 

Meander is on the water again 1.22.13

 

We launched at a little boat ramp on Lake Eustis, FL. Only about 2-3’ of water. One man’s depth gauge read 19” at one point.

We decided to give it a try. Our hope is to launch at Lake Jessup, just down the road from our place, and it is a very shallow lake and ramp. This ramp had room for 4 or 5 boats to launch so if we had run into a problem and tied up the ramp, it wouldn’t have interfered with anyone else’s plans for the day. Great day and place to practice shallow launching.

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Once the boat was in the water, Jim took the truck and trailer over to his brother’s house. I got some pictures of the local wildlife.

I think this is a Great White Heron or sometimes called Great Egret.

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Little Blue Heron

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Purple Gallineau

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He and Carl stopped for subs and water. We had lunch and then went for a cruise on Lake Eustis.

After returning Carl to the dock we headed back to the anchorage we’d decided on…..”Gator Hole”. No gators, but a pretty sunset. We sat on the rear deck and enjoyed a glass of wine, a quick chat with our boating buddy, Larry and then off to bed.

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