The Wandering Disciple

Sometimes called the snakebird, Anhingas are a common sight along waterways in Florida.  They can be seen diving and swimming looking for fish with just their necks sticking out above the water givng them an appearance of a snake.  Or like this one, sitting along the banks of the water drying out its wings.  (Photo: January 1, 2015)

A belted kingfisher stands guard on a downed tree in the Hillsborough River.  I have been trying for years to get a photo of a kingfisher and during our kayak trip down the river, I managed to get a few good ones.  (Photo: January 1, 2016)

This little gator lies on the bank, just waiting to charge our kayak as we passed by.  This photo is just a tease of what's to come over the next few days as I work through the several hundred photos taken on our 9-mile journey down the Hillsborough River.  (Photo: January 1, 2016)

Thonotosassa, Florida: Beginning in the Green Swamp and flowing 59 miles south into Tampa Bay, the Hillsborough is one of the many scenic rivers within the state of Florida. A large section of the river is a designated canoe trail and there is no better way to explore it than with Canoe Escape. Canoe Escape is based out of John Sargeant Park, one of the many parks that line the river. Here you can embark on one of several self-guided trips on the river or just rent a boat by the hour. The self-guided trips are from one park to another with a return back to Sargeant Park provided by the tour operator. The offer three legs that combined cover almost 14 miles of the river from Sargeant Park to Rotary Park. We decided to take a trip with Canoe Escape on New Year’s Day as a way to usher in 2016. We embarked on the Trip 4 which combined the first two legs of the tours, starting at Sargeant Park and heading south on the river for about 8 ½ miles until we reached Trout Creek Park. ...