Big Weekend in Old Homosassa

Terry and I are in the habit of riding our bicycles down to the public boat ramp in Old Homosassa on weekend mornings.  We like to visit with our neighbors and watch the boaters put their vessels into the water.  On typical days, experienced captains quickly maneuver their trailers into the water and launch their boats.  Calmness ensues.

The boat ramp
The boat ramp last Sunday morning.
View from the ramp to the river
View from the ramp to the river.

This Saturday will not be one of those typical days, as we have two popular events taking place in Old Homosassa.  The first is the Homosassa River Fireworks Fest and the second is the opening of scalloping season.  Usually the season starts on July 1st but Gov. Scott has moved it to this Saturday, June 28th.  Both occasions bring masses of people to our little village. 

The fun for the festival starts at 8 AM with the poker run registration and the day culminates in a fireworks display scheduled for 9:15 PM.  Many of the local bars and restaurants have joined in the festivities with events scheduled throughout the day. 

Meanwhile, scallopers will be trying to put their boats in at a public boat ramp then find parking for their vehicle and trailer.    We have two county boat ramps, one right in Old Homosassa on Cherokee Way and the other at the end of Mason Creek Road.  Neither ramp has adequate parking for the demand. 

So now we have trucks with trailers trying to find spaces to park plus the visitors coming in just for the Fireworks Fest.  Could be chaos! 

There have been plenty of issues in the past—long lines of vehicles with boats blocking the streets;  fights at the boat ramp; parking illegally on the sidewalks and private property; and trash thrown about indiscriminately are just a few examples.   There is also the impact on the Homosassa River with all these extra boats. 

This year is supposed to be different.  During  scallop season there will be county staff stationed at the boat ramp from 7 AM to 7 PM on weekends and on holidays to keep traffic on the boat ramp flowing and scallop cleaners off of the public dock.  In addition, the Sheriff’s department will be patrolling the area. 

I love the fun opportunities we have in Old Homosassa and usually try to attend all local events.  I think it’s great that the influx from the scalloping helps the local economy, but the local homeowners shouldn’t have to suffer.  Optimistically, additional county staff and Sheriff Patrols will help keep things under control.

New Paver Patio
New Paver Patio at the Shed
Sunday
Last Sunday morning calmness at the Shed

 

Butterfly Program at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

I had planned on putting this post up on Tuesday along with all of my beautiful butterfly pictures but didn’t have a chance to write it.  (I had many many visitors last weekend.  And had so much fun.)  But I was also very excited about finding a monarch butterfly and caterpillar in my yard so I posted the pictures without the accompanying narrative.  So here’s the words and a few of Tuesday’s photos! 

Monarch

I’ve written about the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park several times over the past few years.  It’s one of my favorite places in Citrus County.  When I read in the Citrus Chronicle that June’s monthly theme was about butterflies and bees, I was determined to attend.  I had to do a little rearrangement of my schedule since it was the exact time of my banjo lesson last Thursday plus we had a trip to make to the airport to pick up VIPs!  But it all worked out.

The speaker was Michael Boulware from the Florida Museum of Natural History’s Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville. Mike obviously loves his job and was very passionate in his speaking about butterflies.  After about an hour on the subject he then took questions from the audience.

Mike Boulware
Michael Boulware, living exhibit specialist at the Florida Museum of Natural History’s Butterfly Rainforest

Near the beginning of the program, Mike stated that just one person can make a difference and gave suggestions as to how we can make that difference.  For instance, Florida has more spring water than the rest of the world combined and those springs are in trouble.  He suggested that we had two easy ways to help save the springs.  The first is to avoid plastic bottled water so companies will not use our springs to fill those bottles. The second is to use native plants since they need less water. He added that if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem! 

We try to cut back on those evil water bottles but it’s such a convenience, especially when friends and family come for a visit.  And we do recycle everything possible.  But we will make a better effort at putting our reusable water bottles into circulation.  I’ll also be seeking out more native plants to put in our yard to cut back on the irrigation system use.  Mike suggested finding our local native plant society.  Something else to research!

To help monarch migration, Mike said to plant milkweed which is the only plant that the monarch caterpillar can eat.  And that orange and yellow milkweed that most of us plant for the monarchs?  That’s tropical or Mexican milkweed.  While the monarch caterpillars love it, it’s the wrong plant!  According to Mike it blooms for too long and the monarchs lay their eggs on the plants too late in the season.  The butterflies should already be on their way to Mexico!  He added that we should leave the Mexican milkweed until we get native milkweed established.  Another bit of research to find out where I can buy that!

Monarch Caterpillar
Monarch Caterpillar on Mexican Milkweed

 

In addition, Mike said to plant nectar plants for all varieties of butterflies and leave part of your yard unmowed which might even attract lightning bugs.  I was surprised to learn the Spanish needle, one weed I have attempted to eliminate because I HATE it, is a good nectar plant.  (Guess I’ll let it grow in that “natural” part of my yard.)

There are several reasons that we need the butterfly but the first important one is that it is a pollinator which we need to grow our food.  It is also an indicator species.  When the butterfly becomes scarce, there is a problem.  

Mike handed out two pamphlets about butterflies plus another sheet listing butterfly plants for North-Central Florida.  He was a very interesting speaker and I learned quite a bit during the presentation.  On June 26th at 1 pm Melody Tayler will be presenting a program on bees. The program is included in regular park admission and held in the Children’s Education Center at the Wildlife Park.  

Cobia Tournament

OMG!  This weekend was the Cobia Tournament.  This is the BIG tournament for Old Homosassa.  While there are two places to start out from, everyone has to take their boat to MacRae’s to get their fish weighed.  The excitement starts Friday night with two captains meetings. Which means that everyone that is in the tournament is hanging out at the Shed.

We went to the Shed Friday evening to meet up with friends and check out the band.  No parking.  No tables.  Glad we rode our bikes.  We ended up sitting at the picnic table at the Bait Shop.  Craziness.  Got a picture of these guys as they came in.

Red Snapper
This guide, Zack, he’s the guy in the back on the left and is about 21 years old, went out 105 miles to catch these red snapper. WOW!

It’s the tradition to get down to MacRae’s before 7 am on Saturday morning so we can watch the captains go out.  We barely got there in time.  We slept in a bit later than normal–could be from going to the Shed the evening before!

The Start
The Start
Waiting
Waiting for their numbers to be called.
They are off
And they’re off! Almost as exciting as the Belmont!
The locals
The Locals.  See how far Gus and Maggie are from each other?  Gus really wants to be friends with the Magster but she’s not having anything to do with that!
Ladies in Pink
My favorite team, I call them the Ladies in Pink. They always have a drink while they go by the starting line!
MacRae's new patio
MacRae’s have put in a new paver patio. Nice.  And there’s the stage and a tented eating area.  So calm.  So empty.
Cobia tournament
Compass

On Sunday I rode my bike back to MacRae’s.  About 3:30.  I knew that the captains have to be in by 4 to have their catch weighed.  Thought that would be fun.  Not so much fun.  I don’t know where all of these people parked, but it couldn’t be legally!  Plus they were way ahead of me on the beer consumption.

Cobia tournament
There’s that tented eating area!
Cobia tournament
And the Shed.
Cobia tournament
Judge’s stand at 3:30.
Cobia tournament
Some of the catch

It was hot.  It was crowded.  I went home.  Yes, I’m a party pooper.  I’ll read in the paper who won!