06/26/2010 - Douglas Lake

Launch: Upper Bryant Landing
Destination: Douglas Lake and Watson Creek
Distance: Approx 11 miles (round trip)
Paddle time: Approx 4 hours
Weather: Sunny, 80s to 90s, winds calm.
Track: To view or download the GPS track of this trip, Click Here.

Header Image

1) The launch site at Upper Bryant Landing.

2) About 1.25 miles north of the launch site is Douglas Lake which is marked by a sign on a big bald cypress tree at the entrance.

3) Cypress knees make for interesting reflections.

4) If it wasn't for its tail, this gator might not have been seen.

5) A white egret or heron was chowing down on shrubs loaded with Mayflies.

6) A closer look at a Mayfly.

7) The easy to identify shape (bell shape) of the Swamp Leather-Flower (Clematis crispa).

8) The easy to identify balls of the common Button Bush flower (Cephalanthus occidentalis).

9) A Banded Tussock Moth seen in Watson Creek. The hard to see head is on the right side hidden by the bristles.

10) Knowing what is going on along the Gulf Coast, one might think this is oil on the water. Here is how I determine if it is petroleum: If it smells like petroleum, it is petroleum. If it smells like pond scum, it is pond scum. This was pond scum in upper Watson Creek.