I made a day-trip up to Ozello again, with the intent of taking more pictures of the boat in that setting. Guess I got carried away with the "exploring" thing, I only took one picture of the boat in the water!
I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this area! The Ozello Keys cover quite a bit of territory, and since my days off are during the week, I seldom see another soul once I leave the ramp.
And that makes me love it all the more!
Now, I'm not quite sure, but it may be that Sacajawea is no more of a "morning person" than I am, or it could be just the camera. Once again, I tried to get a picture of her loaded up on the truck and ready to roll, but that lens fog showed up again.
Still, kind of neat-looking, for a "free-bee" special effect. . .
One of these days, I'll probably try putting in at some of the other places I've seen, but for now, I am using the public ramp at the very end of Ozello Trail.
It isn't much, just some concrete going down into the water at a rather shallow angle. But, I don't need much, in fact this time, I launched right next to the ramp, as there's a little hole that gets deeper, faster than the ramp does. Makes it easier for me to float her off the dolly.
On the left, you see a couple of boat trailers, there's room for 20 or 30 of them! (When I'm there, 3 would be a lot.) On the right, where you can't see, there's some shaded picnic tables, palm trees and a grassy area, where I park.
Here's a shot of a local "celebrity," the old, dead tree at the ramp.
Remember this one and the car parked there. You'll see it again, later on. But with a difference.
Here's the ramp again, like I said, nothing special, just just enough. The odd-looking white pipe you see is a collection point for monofilament fishing line scraps. You'll find these at many Florida boat ramps. I've seen one too many birds struggling with old fishing line wrapped around them and really appreciate seeing people use these disposal points. One case of "tax dollars at work" that actually does some good!
Mangroves are something you'll see a lot of. They serve as habitat for bait fish and as a nursery for several types of fish.
Great combination, mangroves and oyster bars!
In the only picture I took of her that day, Sacajawea sits patiently in a foot of water while I go wading about. (Since there's tidal flow can be quite strong and I'm out there by myself, I go for "over-kill" and use heavy mushroom anchor.)
The next pic is a classic example of what there is to see in this section of the Ozello Keys:
As is this:
And this, being my idea of a "dream house."
Once I get past that first key island, there are no houses to be seen, or any other signs of people. Being out there during the week, even seeing another boat has been quite rare. Right now, I'm in the very early stages of learning my way about. I can already see where a small, hand-held GPS might be a good idea.
To get some pictures of some the unusual bottom structure, I "anchored" in maybe 4 inches of water. Had to be watchful, didn't want to squash the baby spartina grass or young mangroves.
At the other end of the Pirogue, you can see the pockmarked lime rock bottom under a few inches to a foot or so deep, and a deep fissure in that rock. Paying attention while wading is something you MUST do.
Another look at that chasm, with less reflection of the sky and clouds.
I'm not sure just how deep this one is, but many of these are freshwater springs and sometimes the bottom of them open up into a cave system. It is said that fish you normally find in deeper, offshore water will be found in them, especially in the winter. This is something I'll be looking into! (By hook and line, NOT by dropping down inside!)
Remember the car parked next to that dead tree at the ramp? Same spot when I got back in:
This is the results of a higher-than-usual tide, combined with wind-driven water. That old dead tree looks a little forlorn. Wonder what else it's seen over the years?
There was a boat ramp when I got here, and I'm pretty sure it will be there when the tide recedes.
There is so much out there to see, exploration will be my first order of business. I want to see as much of this area as I can and learn my way around in it. It looks like an excellent place to get my "fishing act" together and I know that will take some time. When I eventually "settle in," I can definitely see making some trips with my oil paints and trying to capture the many views and scenes.
At least, I know what I'll be doing over the next several years.
Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL
I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this area! The Ozello Keys cover quite a bit of territory, and since my days off are during the week, I seldom see another soul once I leave the ramp.
And that makes me love it all the more!
Now, I'm not quite sure, but it may be that Sacajawea is no more of a "morning person" than I am, or it could be just the camera. Once again, I tried to get a picture of her loaded up on the truck and ready to roll, but that lens fog showed up again.
Still, kind of neat-looking, for a "free-bee" special effect. . .
One of these days, I'll probably try putting in at some of the other places I've seen, but for now, I am using the public ramp at the very end of Ozello Trail.
It isn't much, just some concrete going down into the water at a rather shallow angle. But, I don't need much, in fact this time, I launched right next to the ramp, as there's a little hole that gets deeper, faster than the ramp does. Makes it easier for me to float her off the dolly.
On the left, you see a couple of boat trailers, there's room for 20 or 30 of them! (When I'm there, 3 would be a lot.) On the right, where you can't see, there's some shaded picnic tables, palm trees and a grassy area, where I park.
Here's a shot of a local "celebrity," the old, dead tree at the ramp.
Remember this one and the car parked there. You'll see it again, later on. But with a difference.
Here's the ramp again, like I said, nothing special, just just enough. The odd-looking white pipe you see is a collection point for monofilament fishing line scraps. You'll find these at many Florida boat ramps. I've seen one too many birds struggling with old fishing line wrapped around them and really appreciate seeing people use these disposal points. One case of "tax dollars at work" that actually does some good!
Mangroves are something you'll see a lot of. They serve as habitat for bait fish and as a nursery for several types of fish.
Great combination, mangroves and oyster bars!
In the only picture I took of her that day, Sacajawea sits patiently in a foot of water while I go wading about. (Since there's tidal flow can be quite strong and I'm out there by myself, I go for "over-kill" and use heavy mushroom anchor.)
The next pic is a classic example of what there is to see in this section of the Ozello Keys:
As is this:
And this, being my idea of a "dream house."
Once I get past that first key island, there are no houses to be seen, or any other signs of people. Being out there during the week, even seeing another boat has been quite rare. Right now, I'm in the very early stages of learning my way about. I can already see where a small, hand-held GPS might be a good idea.
To get some pictures of some the unusual bottom structure, I "anchored" in maybe 4 inches of water. Had to be watchful, didn't want to squash the baby spartina grass or young mangroves.
At the other end of the Pirogue, you can see the pockmarked lime rock bottom under a few inches to a foot or so deep, and a deep fissure in that rock. Paying attention while wading is something you MUST do.
Another look at that chasm, with less reflection of the sky and clouds.
I'm not sure just how deep this one is, but many of these are freshwater springs and sometimes the bottom of them open up into a cave system. It is said that fish you normally find in deeper, offshore water will be found in them, especially in the winter. This is something I'll be looking into! (By hook and line, NOT by dropping down inside!)
Remember the car parked next to that dead tree at the ramp? Same spot when I got back in:
This is the results of a higher-than-usual tide, combined with wind-driven water. That old dead tree looks a little forlorn. Wonder what else it's seen over the years?
There was a boat ramp when I got here, and I'm pretty sure it will be there when the tide recedes.
There is so much out there to see, exploration will be my first order of business. I want to see as much of this area as I can and learn my way around in it. It looks like an excellent place to get my "fishing act" together and I know that will take some time. When I eventually "settle in," I can definitely see making some trips with my oil paints and trying to capture the many views and scenes.
At least, I know what I'll be doing over the next several years.
Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL
