Our Life: Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

We just finished a wonderful day trip to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. What a beautiful and entertaining park, hidden near the west coast of northern/central Florida. I am so thankful for the opportunity to visit places like this!

We had a great day with our new friends (who are also new to Florida).

The kids with their friends Naomi, Esther, and Ethan

This may have been their first gator sighting!

We took a 20 minute boat ride to the park. This boat ride was filled with great information about our native species and Indian history.

Awe:) New, but quick, friends...Naomi and Nicole

This plant (Willow Bark) was used by the local Indians as a pain reliever. They would chew on the bark of the plant. Recently, scientists figured out why the Indians used this tree. It contains the same chemical (naturally) that we use in aspirin. Of course it would be used for pain relief.

The kids enjoyed the leisure boat ride through the small Pepper Creek.

Pointing to a Wood Duck nesting box. The park is trying to bring back the Wood Duck population by giving them a safe place to nest.

There were three "shows" we want to see. Well, they were more like talks, so we had to push the kids past the amazing animals at first so we could visit the Wildlife Encounter.

We got to see Yuma, the 6 month old Florida Panther that was found near Naples (can I get a woot woot!) when he was only 2 days old, nearly dead. Someone took him to a local Veterinary clinic where they hydrated him and sent him to Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa (another woot woot!). While at Lowry Park Zoo, they were able to give this tiny panther a chance, but realized he would never be able to return to the wild.

Yuma, the baby Florida Panther

He has since been moved up to Homosassa Springs where they will continue to care for Yuma and use him for public education.

He's so cute!

The beautiful little park had walking trails all over the place for us to explore Florida's native animals including raptors like the Bald Eagle

and the Crested Caracara.

We spent time at the manatee viewing area. Let's be honest, as a native, I've seen my share of manatees and do not hold a sense of wonder for them the way some do...until today. You see, usually when I see manatees, you just get to see their back humped out of the water, or through a thick, scratched and dirty glass underwater at the zoo.

Restaurant Grade Romain Lettuce. Caesar salad anyone?

Not today. Today was different. We got to see these amazing (and HUGE) creatures very up close and personal.

The kids were in awe.

And, I think a sense of wonder was achieved in them.

This is the best place to see a manatee up close, unless of course you are diving with them.

Pretty sure you can still get fat from eating just salad.

After lunch, we went to our final show of the day to learn about the hippopotamus and alligators.

Yep...hippopotamus...in Florida. What? They aren't native? Well, this one was official recognized as an honorary resident of the State of Florida by governor Lawton Chiles back in the 90s.

peek-a-boo

We got some cool shots of him.

Our friends have not seen a Florida Alligator up close and personal yet. This was a great opportunity for them.

The gator looked the way I felt, hahaha. He didn't move all day. Just sprawled out on the 'beach'.

Checking out the live gators

We enjoyed a leisurely, kind of, stroll around the grounds, checking out different plants, looking at flowers, searching for caterpillars, and enjoying the wild life.