Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

The Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is a beautiful place.  For a person who loves birds, it's a dream come true!  

While I am not too much a fan of wild animals in captivity, some of the birds here (such as the bald eagles) have been injured and are here because they cannot survive in the wild.  The hippo is here because he was the main attraction 50 years ago when this was a different kind of park.

Good to know where I am!

One of the best parts of the day.  You take about a 20 minute ride on this boat down a crystal clear river to get to the park.  It is SO peaceful!

These are wood duck houses.  The female flies in and lays her eggs.

Wood duck pair; male on the left, female on the right.

Male wood duck (above and below)

Osprey nest

Oncoming traffic!

Water is SO smooth

Cute decorations in front of the entrance

I am greeted by this cute fella!

"NO SWIMMING?"  NO problem!

A 50-year resident at the park!  He has the good life!

His name is "Lou"

More cute decorations

Adorable otters

A gorgeous year-old Florida panther.  He was so cute.

Look at those huge paws!

Little red fox

Red Wolf (she was a beauty)

CUTE KIDS!

A fun day in the park with my great friends!

There were 3 bald eagles.  Unfortunately, they are all injured and unable to be released into the wild.  Such a majestic creature!

I believe this was a golden eagle, but I'm not sure.  He was also injured.

Glorious egret

Flamingo.  (DUH!)

There are many, many great blue herons in this wildlife park

A sweet hawk (also injured)

Juvenile black-crowned night herons

Little green herons (I love these!)

Burrowing owls (I have GOT to have one!)

More owls

Roseate Spoonbills

Gorgeous black swan

White pelicans

Oh, my favorite - the whooping crane!  There's a beautiful pair here.

Awesome wood stork

This egret was hoping I'd drop my sandwich (fat chance!)

A wonderful reptile house

I saved the best for last; and, that is the huge population of wild West Indian Manatees in this beautiful park.  They are free to come into the spring and free to leave (but, why would they want to - it's beautiful here).  There were several mothers and babies here today.

So, so, so, so sweet!

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is a rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned West Indian manatees until they are returned to the wild. The park's centerpiece is a first-magnitude freshwater spring, which produces millions of gallons of crystal-clear water each hour with the spring outflow creating the Homosassa River. Visitors a given a rare opportunity to observe Florida's native wildlife in a natural setting and can stroll along the paved trails and boardwalks to see manatees and alligators, black bear and bobcats, and tiny Key deer and otters at close range. Many bird species, from colorful wood ducks and roseate spoonbills to majestic birds of prey and whooping cranes, also inhabit the park.