Well, I finally got my paddle along the bayou this morning. I went into work to open up the Visitor’s Center, and shortly later Doug came in from a meeting and told me to go take a paddle! Yes!! He certainly didn’t have to twist my arm.
What a great morning to be on the bayou. The water lilies have begun to bloom. I decided to head up toward the headwaters of this tributary. The further I went, the more this bayou narrowed. It twists and turns it’s way along. There wasn’t even a whisper of a breeze, and the waters were very calm.
I spotted one gorgeous bloom along the way. I think it is a type of lily, but haven’t had a chance to look it up yet.
Trying to take pictures in this inflatable kayak is proving to be a real challenge for me. So far, I’d feel much more comfortable in a canoe. I think the kayak rides so high in the water that the slightest breeze or current moves it to places I don’t necessarily want to go. Maybe I’ll try to talk one of the new volunteers into going with me. At least there would be more weight, and someone else with a paddle.
I literally floated into this tree to try to get some shots of these interesting seeds. Eventually, the surrounding vegetation stopped my further exploration. I did kick up a pair of wood ducks when I came to the turn around point.
I retraced my course, and then headed past the campground in the opposite direction. As the bayou widened in this direction, it started to get really warm. I continued past the headquarters area, but eventually turned around as I kept disturbing three wood ducks as I made my way along.
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It was a pretty peaceful paddle this morning, but I can tell you that my shoulders were happy to return to port. I’m hoping to get a couple of more trips along the bayou before I leave. I’d sure like to see some of the river otters.
Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later, Judy
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great photos from your paddling adventure today, Judy!..thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely awesome pics...you are so brave getting out in that kayak by yourself! Thanks for sharing your adventure on the bayou!
ReplyDeleteLooked like it was a very calm morning.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to imagine a campground close to a bayou. I'd expect it to be swampy.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the flowers and seed pods. I think you are very brave to go out there alone, especially trying to control the kayak and take pictures at the same time. I like your idea of inviting someone else to go along.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed paddling along "with" you today, Judy. Sorry you had to do all the work and take all the pictures. I didn't even get sunburned.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I like aircraft carriers, you don't have to paddle, although a strong wind can even move one of those babies when your trying to dock. Looks like you had a great day Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..
ReplyDeleteWell, I must admit that I have never been in a Kayak. Paddled a few canoes & rowboats but never a Kayak. Always thought it would be nice way to float in a quiet waterway for some great photos of shore life along the way. Also have to admit I am not a big water person so that kind of explains why I haven't tried out a Kayak yet.
ReplyDeleteYou did a very nice job of capturing the beauty of the area. Happy to see that you finally managed a paddle on the bayou. The picture of the lily is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteJohn
relaxedrush.blogspot.com
Spider lillies.....those are the ones I could never protect from the lubber grasshoppers.
ReplyDeleteKayaks don't look like a good idea for me..I know for sure I would be upside down staring into the eyes of a gator.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures as usual.
ReplyDeleteWe paddled with friends that had a Sea Eagle that had the same problem. It turns out when only one person is in it, you don't need to blow up the bottom as much. I think the sides should be touching the water to give it more stability. Have you tried experimenting with the amount of air? Our Sea Eagle Fast Track's are stable and don't blow around...at least not so far, but we've only been in them a few times. In my experience a good kayak is much more stable than a canoe.
I wouldn't get in a canoe or a kayak in a bayou! Too tippy for me and there must be gators waiting there.
ReplyDeleteSure beats the heck out of sitting inside behind a desk, even if you didn't see much. I didn't realize there were so many different kinds of water lilies. There are two different ones here, and yours is different from these. Cool.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely need a paddler along so you can concentrate on taking pictures - not that you didn't do a good job, but it would have been easier. I agree about the inflatable kayak - one good chomp by a gator, and look out!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, as usual. Especially love the summer tanager from a couple blogs ago.
ReplyDeleteJan
You are a lot braver than me to drift into those overhanging trees. I have had a some bad experiences in Texas with water snakes hanging in the trees and then dropping into the boat.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures!
Loved the vicarious paddle through the bayou. I am so ready to get my boat back in the water but the weather here just won't cooperate. I have also heard about snakes dropping from the trees, but so far haven't had that happen to me when we were in Florida. Although once a VERY large spider dropped right in front of my eyes from somewhere.
ReplyDeleteOn a Biggest Loser challenge (a few seasons ago), the contestants had kayaks with pedals, like on a bicycle. I think that would be fun to have out on the water. They weren't inflatable.
ReplyDeletebeautiful flowers!!!
ReplyDelete