Homosassa State Park
October 11, 2008
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- manatee swimming at Homosassa
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- underwater view of manatee
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- hippo
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- alligators
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- majestic eagle
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- owls
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- albino turtle
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- tortoises
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- fighting flamingos
Wyatt and I visited Homosassa State Park with our friends from Ocala and their son. It was his first visit to see animals in a zoo like setting. We parked off State Road 19 and took the tram to the park. Wyatt thought it was a train ride. The park is located on one of Florida’s many crystal clear springs. My only regret was not bringing my bathing suit to go swimming nearby. The highlight of the park is manatees. We could see them swimming from the surface, and in the underwater observatory. What was more amazing to me were the number of snook and redfish. I was wishing I could catch and eat a snook, but I’m sure fishing isn’t allowed in the park.
There were all sorts of other native birds and reptiles, including an albino turtle. My favorite of the animals was the hippo. What an amazing creature. There was also an education center that had fossils and displays. Wyatt touched an alligator skull and some alligator skin.
We rode the boat up the river back to where we were parked. It is definitely a park I would recommend visiting if you are traveling on the west coast of Florida.
Florida seems a great place to go watching wildlife. One uestion – what’s a Snook?
Yes, Florida is pretty amazing. Keep posted for more wildlife, parks, trips, and shuttle launches…
A snook is long and grey with a black stripe down its side. It can be caught on a lure or bait in warm waters off the Eastern United States through Brazil. Here it is not caught or sold commercially. It’s very tasty.
Wonderful pictures!
Were you on a pier/shore in taking the picture of the manatee or were you in a boat? Did I understand you to say that you could swim with them?
Some were taken from the shore, and some from an underwater observatory. I think there used to be swimming there decades ago, but there are strict regulations about getting close to manatees now. However, I have had them get really close while out in the ocean. That can be pretty scary. You can’t really tell until they are close if it is a 12 ft shark coming at you or just a manatee. Either way, I wouldn’t want to get too close to any animal that big!