The sun was nearly down by the time I made the river tonight. These photos reflect the fading light of dusk. The river was windy until sunset. I was then becalmed and the float was quiet except for the sounds of fish, turtles, crying birds, frogs, ducks, owls, and insects. Just me and the animals. 
circus heron fishing 
Night heron with crayfish
spider lily
I floated the St. Mark's river from the H98 bridge at Newport, upstream for several hours. Davey and Ed biked down there and we met. At the newport campground we all went separate ways. After my float I ran into Julie Bowland and Lynn Preistley, plein air painters who were braving the knats at SMWR. They agreed it was too buggy this weekend. 
The river dog liked this trip.
Mullett on the St. Mark's river feed on fresh leaves in the trees. Here is one jumping for his dinner!
Woodpecker sculpture.
I arrived on the river about five pm today and stayed until after eight pm hoping to see a wild turkey. Here are some of my images. It was windy and the river smelled like coffee beans....
yellow crowned night heron
very large alligator
suwannee cooter and small alligator
great egret
spicebush swallowtail 
My other favorite performers were Ruth Unger Merenda, her husband Michael, and baby Will. Will has the music in his genes, or maybe something else! You'd think after three years with this camera I could get a decent picture but you get the drift!
Their brand new CD, Waltz of The Chicadee is terrific! I grabbed it from the CD table right off and it is worth every penny! These kids are fabulous musicians and entertainers. We will be hearing from them for years to come, thank goodness! Grandpa Jay Unger played in my dining room years ago, in another life!
Piney Z at dusk
These are the azaleas at dawn. 
Trixie with a spring hairdo. "So you were faking about the treats, huh girly? I don't see no alligators"
I have been out on the river several times in the past month. It has been cold, windy, foggy and this morning, when I launched just before dawn, I watched the sun slither up the trees and undulate across the western bank. Such light in the dawn. and hi gargoyle. When will I finally hear your piano...on a street in Amsterdam? 
I have been watching these traps for a few months. They finally disappeared last week. What type are they, I wonder? And whose were they?
This lone blackbird was singing a distinctive song this morning just after dawn.
Winter webs held dew. 
