Photographs taken by Mr. Phil Becker.
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.
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!
NO WAKE ZONES ON THE RIVERS
The high temps of summer are making way for a pleasant fall. Boat traffic on the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers are down a bit. On our last Silver River trip with a charming couple from Mississippi, we had the River entirely to ourselves, with a departure from the Ray Wayside Park at 3 in the afternoon. Along the way we saw two seperate troops of Rhesus Monkeys, each troop in close proximity to the Silver Springs Attraction.
Many of our guests who come to see the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers comment on how pleased they are to still be able to see the real Florida. Both Rivers have few of the trappings of mans development, and have been virtually perseved in their natural state. As many know, it is hard to stop the spread of concrete. The abundant wildlife that inhabitats the environment of the Rivers have remained intact and flourished only as a result of this lack of development. One of the few places left to enjoy the “Old Florida”.
Lately we have been fielding numerous questions about the no wake zones on the Rivers. The entire Silver River and the Ocklawaha Basin are no wake zones.
These no wake zones not only reduce signigicantly the amount of erosion of the River banks which in turn creates snags and obstructions, they additionally make it a much safer place to navigate. Maintaing no wake speed insures you a better chance not to sustain damage to your boat from submerged obstructions such as downed trees in the River.
A boaters responsibility for the wake he or she creates does not end until the wake dissipates. This rule applies no matter what body of water you are on. This responsibility includes damage along the banks, as well as kayakers or canoeists that maybe overturned or upset by the wake you make. Many kayakers/canoeists are amateurs, and your wake could spell catastrophe.
For the benefit of all, when the signs on the Ocklawaha River indicate “resume safe speed”, more often than not safe speed should be an idle.
Until next time, see you on the Rivers!
THE BASS ARE KEEPING US BUSY
It has been a busy few weeks on the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers. Most of our trips have been Bass charters on the Ocklawaha, with Bass being caught between 4 and 10 lbs. This is unusual for this time of year, and is an added bonus for this summer heat.
Ray Wayside Park, which we all use to access both the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers, is for the time being selling annual parking permits at the Park on the weekends. This will save you a trip downtown if you need to get yours re-newed.
See you on the Rivers!