Not just for the birds: History buffs welcome at Jiggs Landing

Denise Kleiner stuffs her boat tours with years of knowledge she picked up living on the Braden River.

By Jay Heater
| 1:30 p.m. December 7, 2022

East County
Neighbors

As if there was any question, Denise Kleiner noted, "I'm a history nut."

Kleiner, the general manager of the boat tours that go out of her concession at Jiggs Landing, took exception when her 12-passenger, electric Duffy boat passed what appeared to be a Tiki hut on the Braden River.

A passenger said he saw a Tiki hut.

"Tiki hut?" Kleiner asked. "No. It's a chickee hut."

She then explained how chickee huts were built by the Seminoles in Florida, chickee means "house" in Mikasuki languages that were spoken by the Seminoles.

A raised wood floor is one of the main differences between a chickee hut and a Tiki hut.

Kleiner looked another direction and launched into a discussion of para grass, an invasive exotic plant from Spain that was brought to Florida to feed the Spaniards' cattle, who didn't like native Florida grasses.

"In the 1800s, you couldn't even see this river because it was covered with para grass," she said.

Over the years, the para grass was contained to the banks of the river, but it still flourishes.

Her head would snap one direction to point out a cooter (a freshwater turtle she says comprises 80% of the alligators' diet) then back the other to direct eyes to a moorhen and a purple gallinule.

"The bigger the bird, the higher the tree," she said in a matter-of-fact tone.

She saw a brown pelican fly over.

"The pelican is a sea bird, but they come here when there is red tide," she said.

The tour was a nonstop lesson in history and wildlife. Kleiner lived on the Braden River for years (she shows her former house during the tour) but she now lives in Tara.

She described why she is so passionate during her tours.

"It is part of who I am," she said.

Tour prices start at $12. For more information, go to JiggsLanding.com.

Also note that on Saturday, Jiggs Landing is hosting the 10th annual Holiday Boat Parade. Registration is free for those who want to put their decorated boats in the water at the Jiggs Landing boat ramp. Boats need to be lined up for the parade by 6 p.m.

The parade will circle Evers Reservoir and then go to Linger Lodge. Those planning to eat at Linger Lodge should try to get 7:30 p.m. reservations.

Those who don't have a boat and want to participate can reserve a boat tour at JiggsLanding.com.

Denise Kleiner owns the concessions at Jiggs Landing.

Denise Kleiner says the Florida cooter makes up about 80% of the alligators' diet in the Braden River.

A gallinule doesn't need a mirror when wading in the Braden River.

Cormorants are a regular feature of the river tour.

Count yourself lucky if you see a green heron on the trip, as was visible on this one.

A tri-colored heron would need a very wide scarf.

A little blue heron keeps watch for dinner along the Braden River.

A great blue heron looks over the world from a nest on Bird Island.

While this adult brown pelican is a seabird, Denise Kleiner says they come to Evers Reservoir and Jiggs Landing during times of red tide.

A tri-colored heron rests along the Braden River.

An adolescent common gallinule is one of the many sights during the Eco-Boat Tour that leaves from Jiggs Landing.

Lily pads offer their own brand of beauty along the river.

Photo by Jay Heater

Black vultures are an intimidating sight on Bird Island.

Denise Kleiner says Spanish moss is mostly bug free until it hits the ground.

A chickee hut, not to be confused with a tiki hut. The Seminoles built chickee huts and that talent has been passed down through generations.

Red Bellied and Pileated woodpeckers leave a wholesome effect.

A male anhinga basks in the beauty of the Braden River.

White ibis are a common but pretty sight on Bird Island.

a male anhinga, known as a snake bird, takes flight.

White Ibis fly toward Bird Island on the Braden River.

The tail of a baby alligator that born in June or July on the Braden River.

author

Jay Heater

Jay Heater is the managing editor of the East County Observer. Overall, he has been in the business more than 41 years, 26 spent at the Contra Costa Times in the San Francisco Bay area as a sportswriter covering college football and basketball, boxing and horse racing.