Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

We took Riley, Piper and Adley to the wildlife park last week.  It was a cool but sunny afternoon and the creatures were all enjoying the weather.

alligator
The alligators were catching the rays.

swan

ibis
Discovered that the ibis know that the noise of the crank on the coin-operated bird food machine means treats are on the way.
ibis
One of many that came looking for goodies.
manatee
The manatees are coming in from the cold Gulf and congregating in the warm springs.
Lu the Hippo
Not sure what Lu was up to here.
Lu the Hippo
He was unusually active.

 

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

19th Annual Blues ‘n Bar-b-que in Old Homosassa

Sooooo, on Saturday

two cold fronts came down from Canada. (Sounds like a joke, doesn’t it?)

Terry called them a Canadian Clipper.

But the weatherguys just called it two cold fronts that came down from Canada.  

We called it freaking cold while we were sitting outside in 50 degree weather under huge live oaks with about 50 mph wind knocking limbs and debris out of the sky.  Watching the Blues.  As our hands turned blue.

Okay.  It wasn’t that bad.  I had my winter jacket on, gloves, and a quilt.  Which was great until I spilled beer on my chair and we used the quilt to mop it up.  Dumb move.

Anyhow…..

The festival was GREAT!  I seriously look forward to this all year and was not disappointed. Suzanne Smith was the first band and that petite woman can wail. And her band was fantastic.

Suzanne SmithSuzanne Smith BandSuzanne Smith Band

Suzanne Smith Band
The Suzanne Smith Band had people on their feet. There’s Jim (Bo) Anderson, pres of the Nature Coast friends of the Blues.
Jim Davis
Jim Davis, a local music enthusiast, did the announcing between sets.

Next up was Blue Dice from Tampa.  They played almost all original music–the one exception was a cover of a Bruce Springsteen classic.  A mix of blues, jazz and funk with a lot of horns. They looked like they were having a great time putting on the show.

Blue DiceBlue DiceBlue DiceThe festival closed with Damon Fowler.  This guy had a unique voice and his music was a  mix of blues and hard driving rock.    

Damon FowlerDamon Fowler

19th Annual Blues 'n Bar-b-que in Old Homosassa
Some young dancers entertained us during Damon Fowler’s set.

According to the hand-out at the festival “Proceeds from this year’s Blues ‘n Bar-B-Que will go toward an underclassmen scholarship for a local Citrus County High School student to take music lessons.”

Oh yeah, there was delicious bar-b-que being made right on the grounds, some homemade baked goods plus the Museum CafĂ© was open with Cuban food.

Next year is the 20th annual festival and Bo Anderson promised us an even bigger show.  First Saturday of November.  Mark your calendar.

19th Annual Blues 'n Bar-b-que in Old Homosassa
Does the audience look cold? Yes, we were cold!

 

National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs

Saturday we attended the National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs.  Here’s the day in photos!

booths
Numerous booths set up by various local organizations.
Shady Tree Pickers
Shade Tree Pickers
National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs
Jim Green, a volunteer from the Friends of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex
National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs
Terry, Darin and Kathryn intently listening to Jim Green
Mermaid
A real live mermaid!
National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs
Paula Bateman on guitar and Lisa on the bass.
National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs
Mermaid and Merman swimming out to perform.
National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs
We had a prime spot but this is all we could see. The show was filmed and shown on several TVs around the refuge.
Bob Boccum
Bob Boccum, a volunteer with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  He was very informative and told us the names of the Three Sisters — Big Sister, Little Sister, and Pretty Sister. Hey, I have a big sister and a little sister, does that make me the pretty sister?
Ice Cream Boat
Ice Cream Boat on the canal outside of the springs!
National Wildlife Refuge Day at Three Sisters Springs
Matching Camo outfits!