Kayak NotesYo-gak-ing Event HighlightsRachel Austin - Thu. Nov 05, 2009 October 17th 2009 we had our first Yo-gak-ing event and it was AWSOME!!! The morning started with a group of eight strangers, some having done yoga and never kayaked or visa-versa. The combination of yoga and kayaking drew a very diverse crowd of wonderfully positive and adventurous people. Looking out from the launch I was a little concerned because the wind was building and the kayaking was going to be tougher than I had planned. We launched from the Rebault Club into a protected cove that is also a rookery where resident and migratory birds take refuge from the wind. The bank is lined with trees that look as though they are draped with white, grey and pink ornaments. We found a corner of the Kingsley lawn shaded by a canopy of ancient live oaks with just enough sun to warm us from the chill of the wind. Setting out our yoga mats we continued with an inspiring yoga class led by Frank from M Body Yoga. Afterwards we relaxed on picnic blankets and ate. The contentment seemed to be contagious as we shared our stories and experiences with one another. After lunch we strolled around the plantation grounds learning the history of the people who lived and worked on this land. The kayak back to the Rebault Club seemed almost to quick, with the wind and tide on our side. As we returned to the launch and said our good byes there was a beautiful feeling of friendship and camaraderie that swept through the group. We started out as stranger and became friends through an enriching experience with each other and nature. We were able to raise $64 dollar for the NFLT. Every little bit helps. Here are some of the comments we received from the Yo-gak-ing participant's.Juan The event was great and the kayaking experience was excellent. It was a great way to get in touch with nature, breath some fresh air, and do some exercise, all while meeting a great group of people and having fun. The Yoga side of the experience was a great way to relax and enjoy the beautiful plantation. The food after yoga was just perfect. Appreciate your time and your guidance in the tour. We will definitively consider participating on another event in the future. Frank Wild Life ReportRachel Austin - Sun. Nov 01, 2009 The St. John's County Audubon Society conducted a 16 day survey of hawk migration and on a platform from Guana Aquatic Preserve. The following are the numbers that passed the platform.
The numbers were down from last year especially the Peregrine Falcon. They found that the most favorable weather to spot the birds was the most unfavorable weather cloudy-overcast or ahead of a front. American Canoe AssociationRachel Austin - Wed. Oct 07, 2009 What it means to achieve certification from the American Canoe AssociationIn my 5 years of serving as a kayak instructor certified by the American Canoe Association (ACA), I have found that many people have no idea what being certified means or what it takes to become certified through the association. When I purchased Kayak Adventures, I felt it was imperative to become an ACA-certified instructor. I already had trained extensively in kayak rescue and safety through a certified instructor, Walter Bunso. Yet, I sensed that I needed to test myself out in open water under real, intense conditions in order to feel ready to take on the responsibility of others lives. So I signed up to go through one of the most intense trainings I have ever experienced. After completing the ACA course, my confidence skyrocketed and I felt completely capable of keeping a group safe on the water in almost any situation. Attaining this rigorous certification also formally established my credibility in the local paddle sport industry. As a woman business owner, ACA certification has proved beneficial in establishing my credentials among my professional peers. What I did not realize about the training, however, was how often I would use it in every experience on the water, from helping my clients and students overcome their fears to saving a man and his young children from severe injury on a jet ski. In order to maintain my ACA certification, I must go through rigorous training every three years. I just got back and man, it is intense! This time I was able to bring friends to share in the pain, including Ayolane Halusky, who serves as the Eco Adventures Coordinator for UNF, and CJ Hecktka from Kayak Amelia. The three of us are training for different levels of instruction, as there are five core levels before one can train instructors. Achieving certification can be a lifelong pursuit for some, and it definitely is for me. About the ACAThe American Canoe Association (ACA) is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1880 and focuses on canoeing. From the 1940's through the early 1990's, the ACA placed significant resources into all aspects of paddlesport competition, from local and national races and winning two World Championships to acting as the National Governing Body (NGB) for paddlesports on the U.S. Olympic Committee. With strong ties to the American Red Cross, the YMCA and Boy Scouts of America, the instruction program became formalized in 1973 with the advent of the ACA's Canoe Instruction Certification Committee. Over the past 30 years this committee also has been known as the Training Committee, the National Instruction Committee and currently, the Safety Education & Instruction Council. The ACA is the nation's recognized leader in paddlesport instruction and education with more than 4,000 ACA-certified instructors in the nation, who serve more than 800,000 people each year. The association also is recognized internationally, a distinction it shares with the British Canoe Union. The ACA has acted as the voice of paddler for more than 125 years, and has had extensive involvement in the protection and preservation of waterways thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers, committee members, board members and staff. Today, the ACA continues to work at the grassroots, regional and national levels to promote fun and responsible canoeing, kayaking and rafting. ACA's Mission Statement:Founded in 1880, the ACA is a national nonprofit organization serving the broader paddling public by providing education related to all aspects of paddling; stewardship support to help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddlesport recreation. How to Find an ACA InstructorWhen you are looking for kayaking instruction, it is best to check the ACA website, www.americancanoe.org, to identify instructors in your area and make an informed decision about which guide service to use. The ACA makes certain that their instructors are teaching techniques consistent with new technology, industry changes, and sports science developments. With all the changes in medicine, science, and history, it is important to have confidence that your teacher will arm you with the best and most current information out there. The association is there as a resource for finding creditable instructors who uphold ACA standards and ethics. Tips for Enjoying the Summer Outdoors in FloridaRachel Austin - Sat. Jun 20, 2009
Having operated an outdoor business for almost 9 years I have survived many summers outside in Florida.
By taking these tips into consideration when planning outdoor events in the summer you can experience all of Northeast Florida's beautiful seasons. Sea Turtles Nesting SeasonRachel Austin - Wed. May 06, 2009
In St. Johns County four leatherback nests have been found, their nesting season is typically between April and July in Florida. The leatherback is a very fascinating animal.
About the Leatherback The Leatherback sea turtle is the largest of any turtle on earth and the most unique because of its ability to dive 4000 feet, regulate body temperature, and its wide range of habitat. The shell of the leather back sea turtle is made up of a leathery skin with seven bony plates that run the length of its body. The pliability of its shell allows it to decompress in deep water and because of its hydrodynamic shape they can swim very fast. They are able to go in the coldest conditions of any reptile because it's able to regulate body temperature through counter current heat exchange and has an insulating fat layer under leathery skin. The leatherback has been known to grow up to 7ft and weigh 2000 lb. They are the only remaining relative of a turtle family whose evolutionary roots can be traced back more than 100 million years. They are known to be in the temperate waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean. They have been found as far north as Canada and Norway, and as far south as New Zealand and South America. It is estimated that they lay 80 eggs at a time and only 1 out of 1000 reach adulthood. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) consider them "critically endangered" due mostly to human activity such as plastic debris in the water mistaken for food, boat collisions, fishing nets, and poaching. Numbers are stable at this point for the Atlantic Leatherback yet are severely declining for the Pacific Leatherbacks. Every time I see a plastic bag in the estuary, on the beach, or in the ocean, I think of the story I heard in a Florida Master Naturalist class about a 2000 lb leatherback that died because it swallowed a plastic bag floating in the water mistaking for a jelly fish, its main food source. Where do all those plastic bags go? Guana Lake Wildlife ReportRachel Austin - Fri. Apr 03, 2009 Wildlife Report
I saw one Long Neck Stilt in Guana the other day. It must mean that we will have many more coming. The Alligators are starting to mate so I have seen a lot more of them in Guana. They are going to start draining the lake so this is the time to go out and see them. Keep your distance and be aware but they are magnificent creatures. Right Whale Update March 2nd from Florida Master Naturalist Program NortheastRachel Austin - Wed. Mar 18, 2009 Despite what felt like a slow start, we have had an excellent season so far, with 36 sightings. Eighteen of these were mother/calf pairs, twelve were singles or pairs, and six were Surface Active Groups (SAGs). We have seen twelve different mothers with calves, the highest number in our nine seasons, and six of these we have seen twice. The total count of calves born so far in the southeast has risen to 38! The whales are still here, so keep those eyes on the water! March Eagle Watch Update From GTMNERRRachel Austin - Tue. Mar 17, 2009 The Reserve Bald Eagle adults have once again proven their parenting skills. So far, they appear to be successfully raising two healthy eaglets. The oldest is almost full size, having added one pound to its body weight every four to five days. It has been observed routinely sitting on the nest edge, flapping its wings, trying to understand what to do with them. On one occasion, it was seen hopping off the nest momentarily. The second eaglet has been watching with anticipation, and will be following suit shortly.
Right now, the appetites of these eaglets are at their greatest, and the adults can be seen continuously bringing in food. During the month of March, both eaglets will partake in "branching", the next step prior to fledging. The eaglets will hop from the nest to nearby branches on a routine basis, gathering strength in their wings and legs. If they get too rambunctious in these attempts, sometimes it results in one of the eaglets falling to the ground. This occurred last year and the startled eaglet, was able to find its way to the nest, unharmed. A day on the water at Guana Reserve 6 Mile Boat LandingRachel Austin - Fri. Feb 27, 2009
It was a beautiful morning, a light breeze rustled through the marsh grasses and the faint chirps of red winged black birds announced our arrival. We got on the water round 9:30, the temperature was in the 70's. At first we did not see many birds yet as we moved towards the west the bird count started rising. We Recorded Great White Egret 10, Great Blue Heron 5, Little Blue Heron 10, White Ibis 37, Snowy Egret 2, Cormorant 2, Anhinga 2, Osprey 3, Bald Eagle 4 It was amazing; we were paddling along the western side of Ponte Vedra Lake and all of a sudden screeching cries from the distance. We look around to see a large bald eagle soaring over the tree line with 3 fledglings chasing her. In her talons she was carrying a small snake. I have to say it was a very cool sight. Palmetto Boat Ramp: Easy access to Julington CreekRachel Austin - Wed. Feb 11, 2009
The water was so beautiful the way it reflected the tree canopy and the sky off of its glassy surface. With every paddle stroke, the still surface water would ripple as if the sky and trees were paint being smeared on a canvas. The silence was filled with periodic owl calls and wood peckers boring into sweet gum trees. The Cyprus trees towered over the waterway creating a canopy to shield the sun. The essence of the forest in this part of Jacksonville feels ancient, as if one of the St. John's Indians would step out from behind a tree or we would paddle up to a small village around one of the bends in the creek. It is secluded and intimate, small water ways winding through the forest. To get there you take Interstate 95 south to Old St. Augustine Rd. On Old St. Augustine Rd go west, down about ½ mile you will find Palmetto Boat Ramp. The launch is a small floating dock. You may want to bring a bowline (rope for the front of boat to tie on to dock) for your boat because the dock is very small, so you can tie your boat off and put it in the water. If there are others loading, share the area. The river is tidal with about a 6 to 12 inch tidal flux, not very much but it does flow. Make sure if you are concerned about the tidal current that you check the tides at Hood Landing. This is the boat ramp at the mouth of the river, next to Clark's Fish camp. This is a great trip for the entire family. The river flows slowly and it is easy to navigate. You may want to bring bug spray during the more humid times of year because of mosquitoes and nats. Bring snacks - lunch, and lots of water. There are a couple of ways that you can do this kind of trip.
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Previous PostsTips for Enjoying the Summer Outdoors in Florida Right Whale Update March 2nd from Florida Master Naturalist Program Northeast March Eagle Watch Update From GTMNERR A day on the water at Guana Reserve 6 Mile Boat Landing Palmetto Boat Ramp: Easy access to Julington Creek |
Well we are getting into our summer months and it is a great time of year to get out and enjoy the Florida's natural environment. If you are worried about the heat or bugs there are trick of the trade I will share with you.
We are just entering into the time of year when sea turtles are nesting on our shores. The five species of sea turtle that is native to our shores including the Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Leatherback, Green Sea Turtle, and Kemp's Ridley.
The Red Winged Blackbirds are here and nesting in the reeds. I have seen them in the cattails in Guana Lake and in the salt water marsh. They are really active and have been known to be aggressive when protecting their territory.
So I am starting to record my days spent on the water to inform you guys on what is migrating on day to day at these beautiful locations.
Recently I learned about a new boat ramp on Old St Augustine Rd. It's called the Palmetto Boat Ramp and a group of us took a couple of hours to explore it.