Homosassa Springs State Park

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014

Sumpter Oaks RV

Bushnell, FL

The daytime highs have been in the low 60's so we figured the Manatees would be making their way into the springs to stay warm, so off to Homosassa Springs we went.

We made our way to the visitors center and hopped the boat ride along Pepper Creek to go to Homosassa State Park...

with Don and Sharon Del Rosario.

A quiet ride using 5 HP electric motors for the 1 mile journey along Pepper Creek.

The water is so calm it is sometimes hard to tell where the shore line is with the trees reflecting in the water.

Beautiful!

We spotted a turtle sunning itself on a log in the creek.

This is a Osprey nest that his been occupied by the same pair for the last 20 years.  Each January they come back.  The male comes first and spruces up the nest. The female arrives a couple of weeks later and if she is happy with the nest, they will mate and lay eggs.

Homosassa Springs was first occupied by Indians, then, after they were driven out, the railroad brought tourists to see the natural spring that is 45' deep.  It became an exotic animal park and finally the State of Florida made it a park featuring animals native to Florida.

Saltwater and fresh water fish are attracted to these natural springs with its constant, year round temperature of 72 degrees.

A floating underwater observatory inside the springs allow views of fish and manatees at close range. There were so many fish at the mouth of the spring you could hardly see the manatees.

We were able to view this manatee from the platform walkway as it moved near the spring.

We saw many manatees and one baby swimming with it's mother in the warm waters.

Manatees are not able to tolerate cold water.  If the water temperature gets below 68 degrees they get cold and can die of hypothermia in 64 degree water so they migrate to the 72 degree springs to keep warm in the winter months.

What a tail!

Lu has lived at Homosassa Springs most of his 54 year life.  He was a big movie star when this was an exotic animal park.  Local residents took a special liking to Lu and often visited him between his many movies.

When the Florida State Park went to strictly native species, Lu was bound for a transfer.  When the locals caught wind of the intended transfer they put up a fight to keep Lu here.  Needless to say, their voices were heard and Lu was granted honorary state citizenship.

A face only a mother could love.

American Alligators are quite common in freshwater marshes and often brackish water in Florida's coastal canals.

The American Alligator was hunted almost to extinction, and is still on the endangered species list even though there are roughly 1,000,000 of them currently in Florida.  We happened to arrive in time to see this baby get a mouse for lunch.

North American River Otter.  These playful animals are found from Mexico north to Alaska.  Many can be found in the streams and rivers of Florida.

They are so cute and playful.  This one must have had too much fun, and curled up for a nap.

The icon of Florida is the Flamingo.

Greater Flamingos are found in salt marshes along the Florida coast, West Indies, Yucatan and Galapagos Islands.

Brown Pelican's nesting on the island.  

These Brown Pelicans are breeding and nesting, some even with eggs.

Florida Black Bear once estimated at 12,000 animals throughout Florida, Alabama, and Southern Georgia, are now less then 1,500 today.

Owls and Hawks are also on display throughout the park.

Bald Eagles are found throughout the United States and Canada.  They can have a wing span up to 7.5 feet.  These birds are here because of injuries that make it impossible for them to return to the wild.

This morning as we prepared to leave for Homosassa, the roads were blocked by hundreds of motorcyclists and a truck load of Christmas Wreaths going to the Florida State Veterans Cemetery.  It is a tradition of the motorcycle clubs each year.  The wreaths are made in Maine and trucked down the east coast to be distributed. 

It was impossible to get into the cemetery this morning so we stopped on our way back to see the wreaths they laid on the graves.

There are more graves than wreaths so only select ones got a wreath.  It is mind boggling to see the number of war casualties and veterans laid to rest here.

We have really enjoyed our 2 week stay here at Sumpter Oaks with its resident Sandhill Cranes wandering through the park....

the beautiful views of the swamp...

and camping next to Marilyn and Larry Forbes.  

We have also enjoyed spending time with Don and Sharon as well as socializing at the clubhouse.

We will spend Sunday and Monday doing laundry, cleaning house, grocery shopping and preparing for our 2,000 mile journey from Bushnell, Florida to Benson, Arizona on the I-10.  We plan to travel at least 300 miles a day, arriving in Arizona for Christmas with our Escapee friends at Saguaro SKP park.

Lonnie and Becky