Blackwater Creek To Lake Norris

Blackwater Creek To Lake Norris

May 2, 2015

The morning started off on the cool side for the month of May. As our paddle companions unloaded their kayaks and brought them to the putin at Lake Norris Conservation Area, one by one each kayak slid into Blackwater Creek to lead us out to Lake Norris. We had one custom made wooden kayak among us and one with a "sail" on it in hopes of utilizing nature's hand aka "the wind" to sail it along the lake.

 

Blackwater Creek was very quiet but for the sound of unseen birds hiding among the treetops. A very large woodpecker flew across the creek and affixed itself to a tree. As soon as I grabbed my camera, however, it disappeared behind the tree. The creek continued to twist and turn and every so often our kayaks would scrape over a submerged tree trunk. And then we reached the opening to Lake Norris...

We had heard it might be a bit breezy, but it was downright windy! Whitecap City!!! I borrowed the picture above because I was too chicken to take out my camera for fear I would get it drenched. There was some serious wave action and a few rogue waves did crash over my kayak and christen my pants with water. Rumor has it that Roxy the Kayaking Schnoodle took a brief dip in the water.

Once we all got comfortable navigating our kayaks through the rough water and around the beautiful cypress trees, we were taken in by the many nests of Great Egrets in the trees and their adorable babies peeping their heads out. They looked like little fluffballs.

Ofcourse, Lake Norris is known for the many osprey and their nests. We were able to spot a few along the way to our lunch spot, but it was difficult to focus and take a picture with the waves constantly moving my kayak up and down.

Our lunchspot was on the dock at Camp La-No-Che - the Boyscout camp located on the southern border of the Ocala Forest and the north shore of Lake Norris. The scouts were holding some kind of a weekend camp and were kind enough to allow us to sit on the dock and have lunch. While we were eating, several of the scouts were learning how to maneuver kayaks and canoes in the water. The water was much calmer on the north side of the lake. It was refreshing to see these boys enjoying the great outdoors.

 

A relaxing lunch spot

More food please!!!

Boyscouts kayaking and canoeing in Lake Norris

CFK crashes Camp La No Che...and notice that fine, blue wooden yak to the left!

Roxy is finally dry after taking a dip earlier...just in time to say goodbye to the scouts

The paddle back was much calmer because the wind was to our backs. We paddled past the nests and through the cypress trees. The only other bird I saw besides the osprey and Great Egrets was one Little Blue Heron, but it was certainly a very pretty Little Blue Heron! I even spotted a lone bitty turtle sunning itself and managed to take its picture before it took the plunge into the water.

 

 

We made a pit stop to the campground on the south shore of Lake Norris. It's also where the hiking trails are. There were lots of cacti dotting the ground, some with a beatiful yellow blooming flower.

 We got back into our kayaks and headed to Blackwater Creek for the short paddle back to our takeout.

 We all made it back in one piece and none the worse for the wear! Remember...even if you've paddled a particular spot before, no paddle is ever the same everytime!