St. Johns River Headwaters

Friends Sarah, Tina, Beth and I took a sunrise tour of Blue Cypress Lake on a pontoon boat.

Predawn sky

Looking out the canal

 Sarah

 I learned several things on this tour. I learned that this lake has the largest population of Ospreys in Florida. There was a nesting pair in almost every tree, so I don't doubt it.

 Foggy morning sunrise

 Beth taking a picture

 Tina

 Cypress reflections

We were given several opportunities to photograph ospreys in flight. I got a few. 

 This one has a fish.

 He caught it; she wants it.

 Our guide says this is a much photographed cypress tree, and has appeared in magazines.

 I learned this lake is the headwaters of the St. Johns River. Here we enter the river which flows north to its mouth in Jacksonville.

 At the end of the tour we were cold from the settling fog and made a fast ride back across the lake. We all bundled up against the wind.

Blue Cypress Lake

I arrived Monday at Middleton's Fish Camp for a week of camping with friends Beth, Tina, and Sarah. Left to right: Beth's RV, mine, a couple from TN, and Tina's on the end. Sarah stayed with me one night, then rented a cabin.

The RVs face a canal that leads to Blue Cypress Lake

Tina taking a picture of...

a baby gator.

Monday evening sunset

Foggy Tuesday morning sunrise

Sharing the roost

 Black crowned night heron, which my friend Birdie pointed out has some white breeding plumage showing.

Getting ready to launch the kayaks...Tina, Beth, and Sarah looking on.

Out the canal

Beth is all smiles.

Calm peaceful waters.

Tina reflects...

Multiple Osprey nests

Osprey takes flight

Hollow tree

Another Osprey

I liked this swirly tree.

Lots of vultures...

Looking down a canal in the adjacent fishing village.

Tina walking her dogs.

Red shouldered hawk

Turtle sweethearts

Bandit gets some outside time.

Beth and Peaches on a hike.

Reflections

Vultures come home to roost in the evening.

Wednesday sunrise

Wed. morning...Beth watching us kayak out the canal.

Gator in the canal...

That's me checking out an Osprey nest above a cabin.

The lake was choppy on Wed. , so kayaked the calmer canals.

Great Blue Heron standing on the deck of a cabin.

Sarah outside her rented cabin.

 

Limpkin catches a snail.

Just some pretty red maple seeds

We were expecting rain, so Beth worked on her roof to make sure it wouldn't leak.

 But the rain never came, so we sat outside enjoying the warm sunshine...

 And watched a Little Blue Heron catch his dinner in the canal. Click on the link and you can watch him too.

Little Blue Heron catches his dinner