The Wandering Disciple

A toddler gator tries to blend in with its surroundings along the Hillsborough River. Although gators are the top predator of the river, they are highly vulnerable when they are little. Mama gator does her best to protect her babies but they also use camouflage to help keep themselves safe. (Photo: January 1, 2016)

Sometimes the best way to experience the natural beauty of Florida is to step off the beaten path. While the hiking trails of Hillsborough River State Park are a great way to see the spender of the river, one of the best ways to see the river and life around the river is on it. A leisurely paddle down the river puts you right in the middle of the wildlife as the animals or pioneer settlers experienced. One way to experience the river is by taking a kayak tour via Canoe Escape. They offer several options that allow you to get off the beaten path. (Photo: January 1, 2016)

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)

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. ...