The Continuing Adventures of Jud

On April 4, a new pair of gators showed up on Pepper Creek at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. They were very active making their way all around Osprey Island, and in the following weeks, from one end of the creek to the other. This video captures a bit of the experience of that first day's sightings as I piloted guests up and down the creek.

:)

Jud

Was over at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park again today, trying to get a decent shot of our new Florida Panther kitten.

As always, right click and "open in new tab" to view a larger image without losing this page.

This was the clearest shot I got. Aside from the distance and the fences messing up the focusing, Yuma is usually on the move- quickly!

Yuma's handler thought she might take a call...

Saw Lu out of the water for the first time in several visits so took the opportunity to grab a nice shot of our 6000 pound eating machine!

On the boat back to the Visitor's Center on Rt 19, I saw this pair of wood ducks in Pepper Creek.

A bit further up the creek, this anhinga was distracted from his drying by the presence of our boat and stopped to check us out.

:)

Jud

Some random shots around the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park over the last couple of weeks... For loading and layout, I have left these "small", but you can see any of them in a larger form without losing this page by right clicking and "open in new tab".

Bunnies appeared around the Visitor's Center in the days before Easter and the big Easter Egg hunt on Saturday 19 April, 2014. That day also saw the naming of our new baby Florida Panther, Yuma, "Son of the Chief".

On the Birding Trail, I saw a bird!

 Another in my series of Tree Portraits.

High up in one old tree, a large crack. I am told that Wood Ducks like to nest in holes and cracks high up in the trees. The Park now provides nesting boxes along Pepper Creek for them now.

 Three Wood Ducks near the big spring, note the difference in the head feathering of the two colorful males. I have my own suspicion that one is new? A young'un?

Waldo catching some rays on his raft.

A window decoration on one of the Park's golf carts used by staff for carting materials and workers from one end of the park to the other.

A rare spotting by eagle-eyed boat driver David of a wild gator swimming up the creek from the western end, entering the turn to Osprey Island.

While Waldo was away, this very large soft shell turtle used the chance to grab some rays on his raft next to the dock at the Visitor's Center.

A walk down the Birding Trail on a rainy day.

Three of our permanent resident manatees enjoy an undisturbed feeding as the park was virtually empty due to rain.

A Blue Heron hunted this small fish as I watched: if I had realized what he was doing, I would have had video! It was fascinating. He stalked it in super-slow motion, then fired his beak into the water as quick as any spear or arrow.

I added a "Flat Brutis" to my boat on Saturday: now 3 of the 4 boats have them. Eagle? Let's get with the program!

 The wonderful unique blooms of the Weeping Bottle Brush Tree along Pepper Creek just west of Palm Island.

A young raccoon tried to cross the creek over our heads as we passed two weeks ago. At the end, he ran out of branch and seemed a bit confused as to what to do.

Out back by the maintenance shed, there is a very large turtle, I don't know why, but he is a beauty!

Before the first boat last Sunday morning, looking down from the bridge.

 Long time boat driver and park volunteer Bob, often creates origami animals for waiting children. This adorable young boy was very delighted with his orange frog!