THE RIVERS ARE READY FOR FALL

Finally…Fall!  On the Silver River and Ocklawaha River that means the leafs are changing colors, the days are more pleasant, and there is less traffic from other boaters.  This is a wonderful time to have the Rivers to yourself.  When it comes to viewing the abundant wildlife along the way, that is the key.  As we all know, they also like having the Rivers to themselves.

You will always see something new every time you go down these Rivers.  Unlike caged animals, these unhampered critters do their own thing.  It is a thrill when you get to see that little something that you will only see in their uninhibited life’s on these waterways.  Just the other day an alligator was giving her babes a ride on her head as she moved them back to the river’s bank.  I have seen these gators thousands of times, but that was a first.

The Rhesus Monkeys are spotted on nearly every trip down the River, and the numerous birds cannot be counted.   Herons, Egrets and more will be seen as you travel the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers.  We saw a pair of Ospreys about a week ago, one of our rarer sitings.

There are plentiful Mullet and Blue Shad running.  On the Ocklawaha River, the Trophy Largemouth Bass are biting.  Check out our freshwater fishing reports to catch the latest action!

Until next time…see you on the Rivers!
Cindy & Nick Bozman

A FASCINATING TIME ON THE RIVERS

April was an active month on the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers.  The wildlife is keeping us fascinated while we watch the mature birds, gators, and other residents feed their young.

April also brought several new guests to the Rivers.  Manatees were spotted on a couple of different occasions, and on one trip we sited a new bird, a Yellow Crowned Night Heron.  It’s questionable if either will be seen again.  Keep us posted if anyone sites the Night Heron or the Manatees.

While the Bass are biting early in the  morning, this is a great time of year to go fishing and go on a river tour, something to keep in mind as you make your plans to beat the heat!

May will bring even more boaters out on both the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers.  Early morning departures always give you the best opportunity to have the Rivers practically to yourself. 

See you on the Rivers!

A MANATEE ON THE SILVER RIVER!

We’ve spotted a manatee on two consecutive tours of the Silver River.  It is a fairly large adult manatee.  On both occassions we have seen it about one mile east of the basin of Silver Springs.  It is easy to spot looking down in the water due to it’s light coloring and large size.

In the 28 years I have been on the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers, this is only the second manatee I’ve ever seen.  It probably traveled the Harris Chain of Lakes through the lock at Moss Bluff.  However the  manatees’ journey ends, we’ve enjoyed the pleasure of seeing it on the River.

Manatee spotted on Silver River tour

SUNNY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!

Ocala is finally having days with the temperatures back in the 60’s and 70’s,  making for a more pleasant trip along the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers.  

On recent trips we have seen just about everything. Our guests from Holland were finishing off their trip to Florida, and after being on the River, stated that this is why they came to Florida.  We spotted the Rhesus Monkeys, many of the birds, the alligators, and several different types of fishes. The mullet jumping at the head spring put on quite a show.

 Last week I saw a gator in the 14 foot range, one of the biggest I have ever seen. We saw male and female alligators hanging out together, with many females nesting.

Sitings of the Wood Stork and Black Crowned Night Heron are rare, but we spotted both. As  always we  saw the White Ibis and all kinds of Herons.

Water levels are down along the Ocklawaha River.  Use care, and remember that when loading into a boat at the ramp the step off the ramp can be a doozy.

See you on the Rivers!