Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Or a better title….

Pipety Piper Pops in at the Park

Piper

And that is why we have an annual family pass to the state parks.  Because whenever a small person stops by for a visit, they immediately ask to go to the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. (It even ranks higher than a boat ride!) Or as all of the grandkids call it, the ZOO!  “Grandma, parks have swings.  Zoos have animals.”  

We could go to Weeki Wachee and see the mermaids, but the little ones always choose the local park.  Which is great for me because it’s five minutes away.

We usually spend about an hour there and they are ready to go.  That’s about how long my attention span is, too.

On this visit, Piper wanted to go all three days that she was here.  And now she wants to be an alligator scientist.  How cool is that?

Since I went three days last week, I was able to get a lot of really great pictures.

On day one we headed to the Fish Bowl first.  Divers were in the water measuring the captive manatees.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Piper did her version of a flamingo.

Piper

The bears were both out and about.

bear

What does the fox say?  (Hey, I’m with a four-year-old!)

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

And an alligator

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

On day two, Piper did a quick study on the flamingos and realized that they tuck their head under their wing when they are relaxing.

Here’s day two’s version….

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Not tucked here, but I like this snap!

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Roseate Spoonbill with no fear.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

And then we went to the Wildlife Encounter, which was an alligator on this visit.

A wee baby alligator.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

And lots of dead alligator parts.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

I thought Piper had zoned out during the presentation.  Hey, she’s only four.  But as we walked out she said “THAT WAS AWESOME!”

And now Piper has her career mapped out–she wants to be an alligator scientist.  We went to visit the alligators in the reptile house and then back to the alligator pen where they keep the big ones and then back to the reptile house.  And she repeated just about everything the Wildlife Encounter volunteer talked about.  

Then we saw a wild manatee when we walked over the bridge.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

And Piper needed to get her picture taken.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Day three was just a quick dash through.

We got there just in time for the Wildlife Encounter.  This time we got to meet a Great Horned Owl.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

And I thought the talk was fascinating.  Piper was much less impressed. She will not be an owl scientist.

Here’s one of the Red Wolves.  They usually hang out in the back of the enclosure so I thought this was a good pic.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

We did visit the alligators and the reptile house a few times.  (But not the owls!)

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Piper also perfected her flamingo stance.

Piper

Piper learned to stay away from the back side of Lu when he’s on the land.  I told her you couldn’t ever get that stink out. She liked to repeat that phrase for the rest of her visit.  (The things Grandma’s teach their grandkids.)

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Our very favorite part of day three’s visit was the otters.  

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

They were being fed apples and melons.  The otter rolled the apple into the water.  Piper giggled.  As only a four-year-old can giggle.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Best visit ever!

National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs

National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs

Terry and I attended the annual National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs.  There were numerous informational booths and the bluegrass band, Shade Tree Pickers provided entertainment.  The real star of the day was the new wetlands that was recently completed by SouthWest Florida Water Management District.  The area will clean water run off from the businesses on US 19 from Three Sisters Springs Blvd all the way to Fort Island Trail.

National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs

National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs

National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs

National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs
Water that has been cleansed in the wetlands goes through this spillway into the canal. The bars keep the manatees out of the area because the wetlands are tidal and the manatees could get stranded in very little water.

National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs
 The entrance to Three Sisters Springs.  Kayakers, swimmers, and manatees all share this inlet.

National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs
The former Lake Lynda, it’s now Lake Crystal.
Lake Lynda

 

Friday Meanderings

Maggie

Terry, Maggie and I went kayaking.  

Maggie

Just a typical kayak outing.  

Seriously, how lucky am I to be able to go out my back door and set out on my kayak?  Like I always say, I’m living in Perfect.

But, anyhow,

Maggie

We were just doing an easy little cruise out to Mason Creek and we saw this bobber.  

Up and down it went.

And we started following it.

Took a while because every time we got close, that bobber darted away.

Then we surrounded that bobber, and Terry pulled it up!

Kayaking

catfish

And pulled that hook out,

kayaking

And set that catfish free!

Maggie was VERY excited!

kayaking

There’s gotta be more!

So what are you doing this weekend?  There are lots of activities since the weather is WONDERFUL!

We are headed to Three Sisters Springs for the annual open house.  It’s FREE!  Just go to Kings Bay Plaza and get on the bus.  The earlier the better.  Lots of informational displays.  A band.  Booths.  Free!

And then we’re going to OctoberFest at the Watson’s Gallery in Old Homosassa.  Starts at 4 pm.  $15 each.  Bring your own German Beer to go with the German Feast to ensue.  Cat Valentine will be entertaining!  If you are going, RSVP please!

Stuff to put on your calendar:

Blues and BBQ is the first Saturday of November.  If you like music, BE THERE!  Get your tickets at the Museum Cafe.

AND OF COURSE!

November 14 – 15, The Homosassa Arts, Crafts, and Seafood Festival.  So much going on.  So much fun.  (So many people) We have entertainment this year.  Shades of Gray and Cat Valentine on Saturday.  I’m not in charge of Sunday, but someone fun will be there!

Oh, you should be there, too! Because we know that you are FUN!

Oh, and by the way, just in case you didn’t remember…

It’s Darin and Kathryn’s wedding.  ONE MORE WEEK FROM TODAY!  All the family is arriving as I type.  Well, except my son and my sweet little four year old granddaughter Piper who were on an Alligiant flight out of Fargo to Orlando that got cancelled.  Gosh. Darn.  Trying to bite my tongue and not use really bad words.Kathryn and Darin

Have a great weekend!

Kathy