Northwest Florida Outdoor Adventure

The Great Camera Rescue

Due to the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic, adventures have been slim this year, however, since I don’t spend Thanksgiving with family anyway, I decided instead to embark on an outdoor adventure to visit the manatees of King’s Bay in Crystal River. I was a bit nervous about traveling, especially since I have asthma, but I made sure I had plenty of Lysol, disinfecting wipes and face masks on hand before setting off, and upon arrival at my hotel I spent a good 20 minutes re-cleaning every surface before I felt comfortable.

Sunrise over King’s Bay

When morning arrived, I dropped my kayak in the water and set forth. The temperature was above average and the forecast for the day was a balmy 81 degrees. I knew the manatees would be out and about and most likely not in the springs, and I was correct, finding only one dozing manatee at Three Sisters Springs. On the other side of the coin, water clarity was pristine this trip and I was able to photograph the spring like never before.

Sleeping manatee

After departing Three Sisters Spring, I spent the rest of the morning paddling around the bay and seeing what I could spot. There were eagles, osprey, anhinga, cormorant and pelicans in abundance, and on the aquatic side I spotted mullet, needlefish and one toothy alligator. No lie.

The next morning, after a quick paddle out to an empty spring again, I returned to the hotel, loaded my kayak and made my way over to Chassahowitzka River. The weather forecast was warm again, so the plan was to explore the river, side creeks and paddle to a couple of springs. Wildlife was abundant again, this time adding wood storks and a dolphin to the mix.

Alligator on King’s Bay

I turned up Baird Creek with the intention of paddling up to The Crack sping when I discovered that my waterproof camera was no longer in the kayak. I frantically searched the kayak and after not finding it, turned the kayak and began a mad paddle back downriver. I knew the last place I had taken a photo was about a quarter to a half-mile back. My biggest concerns is that someone else had already picked it up, the current had taken it, or the dolphin had decided it was a play toy and swam it to the Gulf.

Chassahowitzka River

I asked every single paddler I encountered if they had seen a red camera on a red float. No takers until two Stand-up paddle boarders said that they had seen a red float and pointed at a distant fisherman as a landmark, informing me that they had seen the float near the bank. I thanked them and set off paddling as fast as I could manage. I may have left a wake.

Running out of steam, I finally drifted upon a red float that was indeed attached to my rather expensive Olympus Tough TG-6. The euphoria at finding my camera was somewhat diminished by the excruciating cramp in my bicep that wouldn’t allow me to bend my arm. So, in pain I drifted over the river bank to rest and snack on an early lunch, all the while amazed that I had recovered my camera. Which leads me to this next bit of advice:

Three Sisters Spring

ALWAYS attach a float to your waterproof camera, preferably with name and contact information. Check regularly and often that it is IN your kayak or canoe. And if you are in the market for the rugged waterproof Olympus Tough TG-6, know that Olympus has sold their camera division to Japan Industrial Partners and the future of the Olympus Cameras is uncertain. I hope that JIP continues this rugged camera line, but the future is uncertain for now.

All in all, it was still a good trip and highly recommended. Stay safe and wear a mask!