Ok, now we are in Florida. Let's see, I've been going to Florida every year since 1986 (only missed a couple of years in there), have been all over the state visiting friends, seeing my manatees, birding, diving (not with the manatees) - you name it - and yet here I am again - and for four months, no less. Now you might say at this point, all right, I'm done reading. The rest has to be boring as hell. But wait, don't go away! Not only did we do a lot of the above mentioned, but we also had some new adventures, had friends visit, and found some new parks and places to visit that were right in our own back yard. So keep on reading, and I don't think you will be too bored.

Chassahowitzka

We were actually right in the middle of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, and were surrounded by alligators, green tree frogs, gopher tortoises, insects, and sandhill cranes, a local couple. We also had northern cardinals, wood storks, downey woodpeckers, tufted titmouses, Carolina chickadees, eastern tiger swallowtails, and did I mention, insects! (Fresh meat from California, ha.) We were also surrounded by some really great people, and wonderful neighbors. (Yes, that is ice on my front windshield.)

           

Manatee Swim

Well, it didn't take long and we were off and running. We had our friend Captain Traci over for dinner and that's all it took. I couldn't wait to see the manatees. So the next day, we were on the boat and boy we weren't disappointed. we had manatees everywhere. I finally got my "manatee fix". What a way to start off the manatee season. This year I also had the opportunity to be a guide/naturalist on the boat. I was able to work with people, make them feel comfortable in the water, help with identifying various birds and mammals, and the most important thing - how to interact safely and ethically with manatees.

         

             

I also had a chance to be an observer at a Crystal River "manatee health assessment and capture" with my biologist friends, Bob and Cathy Bonde (USGS). I have observed captures in the past, but will never get tired of being there. All of the captures and assessments are done by experienced biologists and veterinarians and are a valuable tool for manatee welfare/research. What another great experience and good chance to see my friends.

       

       

Now it's almost Christmas and we ended up celebrating at the clubhouse with most of the people in the park. We met so many new and fun people, so we ended up celebrating New Year's Eve there as well. But we brought in the new year with our four-legged children, Cooper, Kolabear, and Mulan.

Homosassa Springs State Park

Homosassa Springs State Park needs a whole journal page and then some. I have been here at least 50 or more times, and I always look forward to it each time. It is like walking through a wildlife refuge! Yes, it has a fence; yes, it has enclosures around a lot fo the animals. (They are all here for the same reason: they are unable to survive in the wild on their own.) But when you are there, it all seems to disappear and you feel like you are out with nature. Everything Florida is right here, including manatees. They have a hippo, but that's a long story -- you'll just have to go there and see for yourself. I got some of my best shots of spiders and reptiles from here - wild, not captive - and a few birds and flowers as well. If you want to see birds, wild or captive, this is the place to go. I don't want to give anything away, but there are also black bears, Florida panthers, a natural spring bowl area where fresh and saltwater fish congregate, deer, snakes, river otters; you name it. This park deserves to have a lot more written about it, but I'll leave some mystery so you will have a few surprises when you go.  I'll be back soon with more Florida stories. See you then.   ...  

     
     
     

Sightings

Some of the things we saw on this part of our trip were frogs, gators, chickadee, woodstork, swallowtail butterfly, woodpecker, manatees and fabulous sunsets!

More travel notes coming soon ... watch this space!

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