January 14, 2023
Since the Trails End Campground lets campers borrow kayaks and canoes, we decided to take out their canoe.
It is a smallish, tippy green fiberglass canoe. They didn’t have canoe paddles, so Bruce grabbed a couple of oars.
We put in beside the boat ramp and I climbed in. The canoe was so tippy, I was afraid I would fall in. I got myself arranged and Bruce got into the canoe, while I white knuckled holding onto the sides while the canoe wiggled and sloshed.
The launch was successful and Bruce paddled us out into the glass smooth river.
Bruce asked me which way I wanted to go and I pointed up river.
Bruce paddled us across the river so we could look at this bird.
I was not able to figure out what type of bird it is. If anyone knows, please put it in the comments.
Bruce had slowed the canoe so I could take the picture of the bird. Getting my phone back into my pocket was an ordeal with the tippy canoe. I felt very nervous anytime I moved. I am not a good swimmer, so being in something so tippy felt scary to me.
We saw a beautiful flock of white ibis in amongst the cypress knees. I didn’t take a picture.
Bruce walked me through how to paddle, as it had been so long since I had been in a canoe. We paddled upstream a short distance. Bruce wanted to see what the river was like upstream.
Since Bruce realized just how uncomfortable I was, we made a loop from the boat ramp to the boat ramp. We were out for about 30 minutes.
Bruce was thrilled that he could paddle without his shoulders bothering him.
We are planning on trying to take the double kayak out while we are here. Since neither of us has kayaked before, Bruce wants to take a single kayak out and try it. Once he gets the hang of it, then we’ll try the double kayak.
Retirement RV Dream 
Based on Merlin ID, I would say an osprey. It has similarities to the red shouldered hawk. Both are found in that area. I love Merlin ID–it is available free at https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org and works nicely on the phone. It has cues for size, shape of bird, colors, where it was, etc.
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When I ran the picture through Merlin ID, it didn’t come back as the red shouldered hawk. We do have red shouldered hawks in the area as Merlin ID determine the bird cry we were hearing was a red shouldered hawk. I’ve seen them flying over the campground. Since this bird didn’t have a white chest like an adult osprey, maybe it is a younger Osprey? The head with the bar by the eye makes me think it isn’t a red shouldered hawk.
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I agree with the osprey ID. I don’t know if they change coloration in the winter, but the eye and beak and shape of head are distinctively osprey.
Can you swim? I have to assume you are wearing life jackets! Worry less about getting wet, and more about having fun. When you get in the kayak, and are still in only a couple of feet of water, by the boat ramp, rock the kayak from side to side. You will be surprised at how stable it is! And it will give you the confidence to get out there. Kayaking is my primary form of exercise, at least in the warmer months; winter in New England brings my kayaking to a halt. Sigh. The other trick is to learn how to hold and use the paddle; it won’t affect your basic safety, but you’ll be able to paddle further and more easily if you get the ergonomics right. Anyone in the campground have their own kayaks? I’d ask if they’d be willing to share their skills with you. Wish I were there – I love introducing people to one of my favorite things!
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Julia,,
If you haven’t already done so, inquire at the headquarters if they have life vests you can borrow – would take a lot of the nervousness out of the picture. Glad to hear you’re taking advantage of the facilities.
Howard
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Hi Howard,
Both Bruce and I were wearing life jackets. I was nervous about tipping over and meeting the large alligator that comes by.
Most likely, we weren’t in any real danger from tipping over, but this canoe was really different than the aluminum canoe that you had.
Julia
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