4.5.10 St Johns River (Sand Hill Crane)

We launched this morning….less than 2 hours from home to leaving the dock…and we didn’t even rush. We were surprised.

I put in the 2 corner vinyl panels on each side…center rear screen and 2 big side screens.  I wouldn’t have bothered with the vinyl but figured I should have some protection for the bird. It’s still cool at night.

What a great day!!! Several large gators and I’ll post a video of one tomorrow.

We are anchored behind Drigger Island. Near marker G41. We can enter at the N end. Too shallow at the S end. We did it in the dingy and Jim could easily touch bottom with the short oar. 4’ or less.

As we cruised in we spotted a pair of Sand Hill Cranes, and I was able to snap a couple of pictures.

They are very large birds.

I like the big fluffy tail feathers.

We continued on around behind the island and anchored.

Jim dropped the dingy in the water…loaded the motor and we went for a cruise around the island.  We spotted another pair of Sand Hill Cranes.

The one on the right kept fussing around…lying down..getting up..I figured she might be sitting on a nest. Then I saw this picture…look just above the green leaf by her beak. Do you see a bit of golden fluff peeking at you?

Guess you know…I was thrilled when I saw this picture!!!

We are anchored about an 1/8 of a mile away. We won’t be going up and bothering them again.  That is all floating plants that she is nesting on. First time I’ve seen one that small.

Enough for today…time for my nightly glass of red wine. It is very warm…a light breeze and it’s is beautiful out.  We listened to at least 3 gators bellowing to each other…should be a fun night.

Wheel redone

Jim had to take the wheel apart so he could put a new seal in the steering box, to stop a hydraulic leak. (I think that’s what he was doing).

This time he did it with a brown rope. I thought it would look more like wooden spokes.

This is actually 2 separate wheels. The inner one is the original. He wanted a larger diameter wheel and picked up a used one at Sailor’s Exchange in St Augustine, FL., last year. …..The larger one wouldn’t fit the hub without some modification and tools that we didn’t have aboard….so he figured out a way to lace them together. The hub of the larger wheel fit inside the hub of the smaller wheel.

When he took them apart he intended to do the modification needed….but when I put the single wheel in place….it looked “booorrrring”….(plain)…like a wheel on a sailboat.  I really like the double wheel and the rope.  It’s unique….no one has a wheel like ours.

3.18.10 last day on the river

We saw several Manatees in the river near Blue Springs but were unable to get any photos. We anchored near by hoping we would see some in the morning…but none appeared.

We did see a few more gators and spotted this Osprey as he landed in a tree with a fish.

Look at this face…. What a beautiful bird.

I forgot to mention one of the exciting things that happened yesterday.  We’re cruising along…eyes peeled for gators or other interesting critters….when all of a sudden a plane dropped out of the sky …and landed on the water right in front of us!!….I had just taken the battery out of the camera and had to scramble to get it in and grab a couple of photos.

We never heard it coming….it touched down….and then took off again.

It looks like one that cruises into the springs once in awhile. Perhaps he recognized us from there…and dropped in to say hello……. I don’t know…It was quite a site.

We had a good day for hauling out. Not too hot or cold. A bit gusty when Jim was loading the boat on the trailer but he was able to get it on without any trouble.

Two weeks just isn’t long enough. Can’t wait till we head out again. Maybe it will be a bit warmer and we won’t need the vinyl side curtains or the heater. It’s so much nicer on the water at night with just the screens to keep the bugs out and all the beautiful night sounds.

3.17.10 Leaving the Springs

We took Raisin to shore for a short walk, had our coffee while we waited for her to get a bit of exercise. Once back at the boat, Jim stowed the dingy on the rear deck, hauled the anchor and off we went.

There didn’t appear to be any wind at all but the lake was starting to build up a little, and a few drops of rain hit the windshield.

As we approached the gates at the S end, George pulled alongside. He was headed to town for supplies. He’s dressed for the weather.

Even though the day started out a bit dreary…it turned off nice and what a day we had for spotting gators. They were everywhere. Here are just a few.

We saw several sunning together. It’s getting to be that time of season.

We were surprised to see this Peacock along the shore.

There were a couple of rowing clubs on the river, training I believe.

And several single kayaks. These two made a pretty picture.

We are anchored just S of Blue Springs.  There is a pretty good sized gator cruising by the boat right now. Guard duty.

3.16.10 Silver Glen Springs

We are going to spend the day at the springs.

I spotted one of the Otters last evening, so at least one is still here.

The Osprey are nesting near the entrance to the anchorage.

We spent a few hours cruising in the dingy looking for fishing line and bobbers that have been left behind. Here is our take for the time we were here. I guess they are so cheap it’s easier to just cut them loose rather than try to retrieve them. It’s just a problem for the birds that get tangled in them.

The Cormorants have a nice feather pattern.

And a beautiful eye color.

Can you spot the Kingfisher? It’s the only photo I have ever been able to get of one. Cant get close to them.

How about this Anhinga? Looks like eye shadow.

This Osprey was watching the fish swim by but I didn’t see him try for any.

We enjoyed the day and all the wildlife. Another great day on the water.

3.15.10 Welaka, FL to Silver Glen Springs

A fairly large cruise ship anchored just N of us and spent the night. We’ve seen it cruise through this area before…but never stop. Perhaps it was too rough on Lake George?  They are headed that way in the picture…but came back just as it was getting dark and anchored a little farther away. Don’t know…and probably won’t find out why…but they left around 7 this morning.

Jim and I got an early start so we could be across Lake George before it got too bad. It was already getting lumpy but the wind was off our stern and made for a nice ride.

As we were going by Drayton Island we spotted a working boat with several Pelicans waiting to see what they can get. No matter what the weather…they are checking their traps.

Come along for a short ride with us…we’ll show you what it’s like going with the wind and waves…turning around and going against them. The lake isn’t too bad today so it’s a good time to show you.

We anchored at Silver Glen Springs…very few boats here besides us.

George came by in his kayak. It has flippers that are worked with pedals. They drop into that hole in front of him ..and lock in place.

During nice weather you will find him gliding around the springs in it.

This Cormorant doesn’t look very happy to have his picture taken. We were in the dingy and drifted right up to it.

This is the view down the run from our boat,  a little before sunset…..The Eagles, Ospreys, Cormorants and Anhingas are looking for their roosts or a snack before bedding down for the night.

It’s not too cold so we will not  need the heater tonight.

3.14.10 Murphy’s Creek to Welaka,FL

We took our time getting started today. Once the sun was up it was beautiful so we took the dingy and cruised some of the islands.

On our way to our anchorage last night we passed a beautiful boat at anchor….a Great Harbour N37. What a beauty!!!  We must have left the anchorage before they did because they passed us on the river.

We’d have to hit the big lottery to afford this one.

We had not seen many boats on the water, the wind was starting to pick up and the air was cool, and here we are…3 trawlers in the same area. We had been slowly catching up with this boat…they look like they have every thing they need….solar panels…wind generator..bikes…my kind of boat. I like the way the swim platform flips up to create less drag.

I would love to be set up for long term living and anchoring. No marinas except for fuel and a trip to the store.

We stopped at the Welaka City dock  (Bryant’s Wharf). They have a new sign now….so look for this.

Kate and Bruce were busy but Carole and Ed met us at Shrimp R Us for an early supper. They will be hauling their boat out at the end of the week and this will probably be our last dinner together. We will miss them but look forward to seeing them next year.

We are spending the night at the dock. It is very windy and cool.