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Not quite the season for the manatee, but while leaving the park I had an encounter with a four-foot Eastern Diamondback that coiled up to try to strike me through the window of my car. My picture of this incident was of the snake in retreat back into the woods so I give you this bucolic peek into Florida's rivers, springs, and woods, ever mindful that danger can lurk amidst the greatest beauty.
This is Acorn. Named for the deformity on his toe. These are some of the most amazing and beautiful birds......
Shown is an entry point to the Devils Springs in Ginnie Springs. This small spring run incorporates several individually named spring vents, which makes it one of the more popular locations at Ginnie Springs. Ginnie Springs, located on the Sante Fe River near High Springs, FL., is a premier springing location owing to its numerous swimmable springs and camping opportunities directly on the water.
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is an old Florida tourist attraction turned state park. Like the name suggests, it features view areascontaining a large amount of native Florida wildlife, including alligators, snakes, black bears, and even a Florida panther. Being a state park, only native wildlife can be housed at the park, which became an issue in the case of Lu, a hippopotamus which has been a resident for over forty years. This problem was solved by Governor Lawton Chiles making him an official Florida citizen. The namesake of the park, the spring, houses an underwater observation area designed to provide views of manatees, it being a rehabilitation area for the large marine mammal.
This was shot during my second visit to Ginnie Springs, which I made in May of this year. Ginnie is the title spring at Ginnie Springs and one of the more popular locations at the campground located outside of high springs. Ginnie has a swimming area with a welcome mix of shallow and deep swimming areas, providing a good location for all ages. The run of Ginnie is maybe 100 yards or so to the Sante Fe River.
Johnson Spring is one of four different springs at Blue Springs Campground in High Springs. It is set apart from the other three and has its own meandering spring run to the Santa Fe River, and this allows it to maintain a wild character different from the other springs at one of Florida's premier springing locations. It is also the location of a favorite campsite in the park for those in the know, though regular park-goers remain largely oblivious to the relatively secluded site. The spring can be accessed on the park's nature trail.
This was shot during my second visit to Ginnie Springs, which I made in May of this year. Ginnie is the title spring at Ginnie Springs and one of the more popular locations at the campground located outside of high springs. Ginnie has a swimming area with a welcome mix of shallow and deep swimming areas, providing a good location for all ages. The run of Ginnie is maybe 100 yards or so to the Sante Fe River.
Lectura, fotografÃa y una tacita de te para ser feliz ... Esas son las tres pasiones de Beatriz. Es por ello que aquà te dedico dos de ellas, la tercera nos la imaginamos, que a mi también me encanta.
Esta foto es para tÃ, con todo mi cariño y admiración por que disfruto muchÃsimo cuando visito tu galerÃa. Estás realizando unos retratos maravillosos, unos still life preciosos y unas compos llenas de belleza.
Muchas gracias por la foto tan bonita que me dedicaste de margaritas, una de mis flores preferidas. Está en un lugar muy especial de mi corazón.
Eres una apasionada de todo lo que te gusta, muy impaciente, eso si. Pero esa debe ser una de tus mejores virtudes para conseguir todo lo que te propongas en esta vida. No sólo en fotografÃa, en todo !!!!
Te mando muchos besos guapÃsima y siempre adelante !!!!
Su preciosa galerÃa aquÃ: Beatriz Pérez {EDA}
Su grupo en flickr, aquÃ: El Diván Azul
© All rights reserved - © Todos los Derechos Reservados.
Rock Springs, located in Orange County's Kelly Park, is one of my absolute favorite springs both for its photogenic qualities and also because experiencing it is just plain fun. Visitors here take in the water a variety of ways. Some swim near the rocky and swift head spring, some swim the entire run, some swim at an enlarged area down the run, while others choose to tube or swim down the narrow run which is open to visitors for maybe 1/3 of a mile, a good 20-30 minute float that can be repeated as many times as one likes. Besides the head spring area, shown in these photos, the most fun spot to tube is a section of near-rapids past the first major bend where the current abruptly picks up for some 30 yards.
Little Devil is the furthest east of the springs at Ginnie Springs campground in High Springs. Its actually merely the first spring in a run of three, with the other two coming along the edge of the Santa Fe River. This is one of the most popular locations at Ginnie Springs.
Here's an unshared photo of Rock Springs, taken over a year ago. This spring, located just outside Orlando in Apopka, is one of Florida's most photogenic springs and also, owing to its superb tubing and snorkeling opportunities, one of the most fun.
Johnson Spring is one of four different springs at Blue Springs Campground in High Springs. It is set apart from the other three and has its own meandering spring run to the Santa Fe River, and this allows it to maintain a wild character different from the other springs at one of Florida's premier springing locations. It is also the location of a favorite campsite in the park for those in the know, though regular park-goers remain largely oblivious to the relatively secluded site. The spring can be accessed on the park's nature trail.
Fallen limbs and trunks cover the bottom of the basin at the large spring head. You can make out a cloud of sediment pushed up by the force of the vent.
Three Sisters Springs
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Citrus County, Florida, USA
SeaLife DC1400
Explore: Oct 13, 2014 #52
Ruth Spring is one of the many springs located along the Suwannee River, but it's considerably more under the radar than many of its brethren. Located near Troy Springs State Park, it is accessible by land, but only to those willing to take a couple unmarked dirt roads to get there. Shown here in the midst of winter, its deep color stood out well against the red and brown backdrop.
Fanning Springs lies in a state park and a town of the same name. It is one of several large public springs along the lower Suwannee River.
It may not look too enticing at first; most of the bottom is covered with a blanket of algae, and it some section it's shallow... but first looks can be deceiving.
Blue Springs Recreation Area
Econfina Creek Water Management Area
Northwest Florida Water Management District
NWFWMD
Washington County, Florida
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II
M.14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II R
Tiffen Circular Polarizer
Little Devil is the furthest east of the springs at Ginnie Springs campground in High Springs. Its actually merely the first spring in a run of three, with the other two coming along the edge of the Santa Fe River. This is one of the most popular locations at Ginnie Springs.
Fallen limbs provide cover and structure for fish within the spring basin, as well as perches for the elusive Homo Sapiens Rowdious when they visit the spring.
Cypress Springs
Holmes Creek Paddling Trail
Choctawhatchee River Wildlife Management Area
Washington County, Florida, USA
SeaLife DC1400
Explore: Oct 7, 2014 #90
"Wait, watch this..."
Before showing off some impressive moves and agile turns, a floating alligator dips below the surface to see what's coming.
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
Ocala National Forest
Lake County Florida
Olympus OM-D E-M5
14-42mm II Lens
PT-EP08 Underwater Housing,
PPO-EP01 Lens Port
& 14-42mm Zoom Gear
Shown is an entry point to the Devils Springs in Ginnie Springs. This small spring run incorporates several individually named spring vents, which makes it one of the more popular locations at Ginnie Springs. Ginnie Springs, located on the Sante Fe River near High Springs, FL., is a premier springing location owing to its numerous swimmable springs and camping opportunities directly on the water.
Everybody knows about the business end of an alligator, but many don't know that the tail is extremely powerful, capable of inflicting serious injury.
Another important reason to never antagonize them, always keep a safe distance, and of course, NEVER feed them.
This particular gator popped out in the late afternoon, and swam along the edge of the bank. It found this spot in the vegetation to rest and watch over the spring head for awhile.
Alexander Springs Recreation Area, Ocala National Forest, Lake County, Florida, USA
SeaLife DC1400
Sea Dragon 1200 Photo/Video/Dive Light
I've photographed Dogwood Spring at Ginnie Springs before, but it's such an inviting scene that I simply cannot withhold posting the lovely pictures I got last weekend. There's something alluring about Dogwood that's impossible to quantify, and it's a prime reason why Ginnie Springs is such a neat place to camp despite its anything goes atmosphere.
The Chassahowitzka River, commonly known as "The Chaz" by Florida nature enthusiasts, is a spring fed river in Citrus County, part of what is called Florida's "nature-coast". It is a mecca for spring-lovers, featuring countless springs along its five mile trek to the Gulf of Mexico. The largest spring, which bears the same name as the river, sits just below the palm trees picture near the center of the above image. As the springs have no land access, The Chaz is a prime destination for paddling.
Sylvan Spring, actually a series of multiple springs, is located at Pitt Springs recreation area along Econfina Creek. With this and other pristine springs accessible by water, Econfina Creek is a popular paddling location in Florida's Panhandle. Although Pitt Spring is available to swimmers by land, a boardwalk keeps visitors from entering Sylvan by land, though as evidenced by this picture, keeping swimmers out is rather fruitless when so many can access by water.
So far this season, the only predictable thing seems to be my daily post of an image or two. Having started the day with emails of 2 more canceled events (1 of which was an indirect result of the "Madoff the Jackass" fiasco), it was nice to have a great site survey for a last minute upcoming event. This one is up in a really nice area of Florida near Ocala in the Horse Farm region....beautiful area! Lose an event and gain another. Tis the season of rolling with the punches.
So, what's all this have to do with the image Mike. Well, not much really except for the fact that this was taken up in the same area about 2 weeks ago in Silver Springs.....
Anyway, having just returned from the hike upstate, I'm beat....more on all of this later :)
Baltzell Spring is located just over a mile upstream on the Chipola River from Florida Caverns State Park. It is without a doubt one of the most stunning springs I've ever been able to witness. Though it contains a deep spring head, much of the area surrounding it is very shallow, and is filled with vibrant green underwater foliage, which is brought out fairly clearly by my polarizer.
Views from the Yak...
Big Citrus Blue Spring, also known as Big Blue or Citrus Blue Spring. mile marker 29
off the Withlacoochee River in Citrus county, Florida
I took so many shots the week I visited here over the winter that I don't think I ever got around to posting a shot of Econfina Blue, which to be fair I have posted shots of before. Those shots were in summer, however, and there is a drastically different feel to the place in winter, when there is more than a hint of fall color and the water contains more of a deep green hue than the pale blue it with get in summer. This one is a fine swimming area along what is really one of Florida's best waterways in Econfina Creek, but it's largely unknown outside of Panhandle locals.
The Weeki Wachee River is one of Florida's premier paddling destinations. It rises from a popular spring, home to a state park which is well known for its mermaid shows. It flows just over 7 miles to the Gulf of Mexico, and the waters in between are filled with beautiful scenery and crystal clear water that provides a playground for both humans and manatees looking to enjoy the water. Paddlers on the river will enjoy numerous sandbars, rope swings, and other opportunities to hop in the water while taking in the popular paddling course.
Weeki Wachee lies on the Gulf Coast north of the Tampa Bay area in a region known as the Nature Coast owing to its abundance of protected land and fantastic natural locales.
Baltzell Spring is located just over a mile upstream on the Chipola River from Florida Caverns State Park. It is without a doubt one of the most stunning springs I've ever been able to witness. Though it contains a deep spring head, much of the area surrounding it is very shallow, and is filled with vibrant green underwater foliage, which is brought out fairly clearly by my polarizer.
Swimmers and tubers enjoying the cool waters of at the head spring in Blue Spring State Park, Volusia County, FL. Unlike many other Florida springs, which generally provide immediate access to the spring head (and sometimes have only that area available for swimmers), the head head spring at this park involves some exertion to reach. Swimmers must walk or swim against the current for some distance upstream before they can enjoy the hole surrounding the spring head. As these pictures will attest, few are deterred and the head spring remains the busiest part of the available waters to swim.
The state park serves as a recreation area centered on water activities in the summer but it is best known for providing opportunities to see countless manatees taking refuge in the winter. The spring waters are a constant temperature throughout the year, while the nearby St. Johns River fluctuates depending on air temperature, hence the large numbers of manatees that make Blue Spring Run a winter home.
I have only visited the spring this once, in the summer, and found it my favorite Florida spring to swim at. Unlike most other springs I've been to, which either limit swimming to one small area of the spring run or have paved sidings which make the spring essentially a large swimming pool, swimmers at Blue Spring can follow the spring run for hundreds of yards with the run only being closed as it draws near to the St. Johns River. This type of freedom to explore the water is something I always envisioned springs being like when I was a child.
I could sit here all day starring at this dramatic display of swirling tannic water mixing in with the crystal blue spring water at Little River in Branford, FL.
Each millisecond offers a new artistic canopy as the flooded river water seeks to intrude into the cave system. Moods of the Mother depicts the many wonderful facets of creation.
Here we see my buddy Guy making his way through the ever changing color scheme to enter below the old tree lodged into the entryway.
The tree is where we divers will often cling, to prevent ourselves from blowing out of this high flow cave, when we need to serve a decompression obligation. It has also become an icon in its own right.
I shot and uploaded this image on Aug. 3, 2018.
Ruth Spring is one of the many springs located along the Suwannee River, but it's considerably more under the radar than many of its brethren. Located near Troy Springs State Park, it is accessible by land, but only to those willing to take a couple unmarked dirt roads to get there. Shown here in the midst of winter, its deep color stood out well against the red and brown backdrop.
For it's next trick, this Gator does a graceful flip, swims back and then disappears into the vegetation along the bank.
I give it a 9.5, because it did touch the bottom.
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
Ocala National Forest
Lake County Florida
Olympus OM-D E-M5
14-42mm II Lens
PT-EP08 Underwater Housing,
PPO-EP01 Lens Port
& 14-42mm Zoom Gear
I'm always on the prowl for the big Gar that frequent Gainer Spring, and it usually takes some stealth and acute observation skills to spot them along the banks, but on this occasion, this one came right out to greet me and made a few circles... I think it just always wanted to be a star.
Gainer Spring
Econfina Creek Canoe Trail,
Northwest Florida Water Management District NWFWMD
Bay County, Florida
SeaLife DC1400
Explore: Feb 18, 2014 #172
Who expects to see any manatee at all, after the winter refuge period is over, and the run is open again.
Considering I got these shots from the boat, and the clarity wasn't that great, I'm certainly not complaining.
Blue Springs State Park
Orange City, Volusia County Florida, USA
Olympus OM-D E-M5
14-42mm II Lens
PT-EP08 Underwater Housing,
PPO-EP01 Lens Port
& 14-42mm Zoom Gear