Blue Springs and the St. Johns

_mg_2408.jpg The St. John's River is much calmer in the middle of the state	_mg_2413.jpg Blue Springs is closed to boats where it empties into the St. Johns	_mg_2417.jpg Some of the dozens of manatees wintering at Blue Springs
_mg_2420.jpg They all seemed quite happy to relax in these waters	_mg_2424.jpg One manatee relaxing as some impressively sized fish swim around	_mg_2427.jpg The Blue Springs outflow is lush
_mg_2430.jpg The Blue Spring trying to live up to its name	_mg_2434.jpg The manatees don't come up this far	_mg_2437.jpg Looking down the river from the spring
_mg_2442.jpg Sharon on one of the walkways in the State Park	_mg_2445.jpg A Mother and pup	_mg_2461.jpg This gator let us knew who was the alpha male for this section of the St. Johns
_mg_2465img_2215.jpg Heading down the canal	_mg_2471.jpg An ibis looking for his next meal	_mg_2472.jpg Sharon in the front of the canoe
_mg_2472img_2220.jpg Mick in the back of the canoe	_mg_2472img_2222.jpg Air plants overhead	_mg_2474.jpg Air plants
_mg_2480.jpg A palmetto left alone?	_mg_2482.jpg These canals were cut for cypress logging but have long since returned to wild	_mg_2482img_2224.jpg Howard making sure we were okay
_mg_2485.jpg Beautiful and quiet	_mg_2497.jpg The last of three turtles basking	_mg_2501.jpg The waterline on this tree is a reminder of how high the water can get
_mg_2510.jpg Birds and alligators enjoy the plant floating near shore, as do fish, I'm sure	_mg_2516.jpg A baby blue heron	_mg_2516img_2234.jpg Howard leading the way around a tree that was trying to block our passage
_mg_2528.jpg This tree almost blocked our passage; Deb & Scott's red canoe is just visible by the left bank	_mg_2528img_2239.jpg Leaves on the water	_mg_2529.jpg Our guide Howard scouting out ahead
_mg_2529img_2242.jpg Heading back into the main channel	_mg_2534.jpg A great heron	_mg_2536.jpg An osprey
_mg_2536img_2247.jpg The osprey flies away	_mg_2544.jpg Drying his wings, this bird didn't mind our approach,...	_mg_2549.jpg ...but he turned to check us out, and showed off his distinct two-toned chest
_mg_2555.jpg The ravens were almost irredescent	_mg_2558.jpg The banks were lined with moss draped trees	img_2250.jpg A turkey vulture convention

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