Kayak Virginia Beach - Four and a Half Day Weekend - Ashville Bridge Creek

Started the holiday weekend early, loaded up the kayak and took a quick trip on Ashville Bridge Creek. It was a little windy, and warm, with the wind coming out of the South the water levels were really up.
The lotus are filling in nicely, with the main area almost covering the entire creek, and it appears that the area covered is larger then last year.
Further down the creek, the grasses and reeds are really starting to fill in, and the entire creek is greening up, and I am looking forward to the creek to come into bloom. I really didn't see that much in the way of wildlife along the way.
With the strong wind out of the South, Back Bay was pretty rough, so I just went to the new Back Bay NWR facility at Horn Point, to take a look at the status. It looks like all the major work is done, but doesn't appear ready to open just yet. Going down the channel behind the facility, I got a little bit of a shock as I maneuvered the kayak around some bushes, and saw what at first glance appeared to be a water moccasin, but it was actually upon closer look was a water snake sunning.
On the trip back I decided to do a quick tour of Muddy Creek, and all the way up the creek, I pretty much played tag with an Osprey, but every time I got close enough to get a picture, it would head further up the creek or disappear into the trees or head further up the creek. I think it was enjoying the game, because it did it on the way and down the creek.