Rainbow River from Blue Run of Dunnellon Park

We were in the water by 9:30am - launching from Blue Run of Dunnellon Park. The recently installed ramp is awesome with its wide gentle slope and broad apron at the water's edge. The weather was perfect. Foggy in the morning, little wind, comfortable temperatures and overcast. Heading upstream afforded us an opportunity to see Anhingas early nesting attempts. One nest had two very well developed young begging for a meal, while the male Anhingas postured and squawked nearby. Today also gave me an opportunity to paddle upstream toward Gissy Springs. I'd only been as far as the gate that spanned across the stream, but today I slipped under the gate, portaged around a dead-fall and continued to the head springs as my curiosity and GPS lead the way. Arriving at the head spring was a bit of a shock... I was very disappointed to see board walks, decking, and stairs leading down to the water at the springs. It was very "developed" with an abundance of "water toys" floating in the water. Sad that the natural surrounds had been altered so drastically.... but the stream leading up to the property was the most beautiful I've ever seen (and what's with the closed gate? I saw no signs indicating private property).Three of us continued to paddle and take photos after everyone else left to go home, but were off the water by 4:30pm - well satisfied and hungry.

Source: http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1467733

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