2024-03-02 Paddlecraft Park to the Eagles Nest
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 4.52 nm
- Elevation gain
- 3 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 3 ft
- Max elevation
- 46 ft
- TrailRank
- 30
- Min elevation
- -45 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 2 hours 44 minutes
- Coordinates
- 375
- Uploaded
- March 3, 2024
- Recorded
- March 2024
near Isles of Capri, Florida (United States)
Viewed 438 times, downloaded 1 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Our pre-dawn paddle at Paddlecraft Park was a tranquil experience under a half-moon veiled by clouds. A gentle southerly breeze nudged us as the falling tide emptied McIlvane Bay, a shallow haven fringed with mangroves. This secluded part of the Reserve is teeming with life---a perfect spot for wildlife watching and exploring hidden backwaters. As we paddled towards The Woods, where Eagle's Nest sits perched, a playful dolphin escorted us in one of the unnamed back bays. Stan captured drone footage of the area, and soon we spotted a young eagle nestled in its home at Eagle's Nest, with two watchful parents nearby. The serene paddle offered glimpses of mottled ducks, cormorants, ibises, and smaller birds. Upon returning, the outfitters launched kayaks for a new wave of eager explorers. The calm water, comfortable temperatures, and lush scenery made this an unforgettable paddle. On the return trip through Johnson's Bay, we were lucky enough to spot another dolphin, and as we re-entered McIlvane Bay, we saw two more dolphins gracefully heading toward the Gulf of Mexico.
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