Year: 2018

Hike #11: Rainbow Springs State Park

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Hike #11, 52 Hike Challenge: Rainbow Springs State Park, Dunnellon. We had an awesome time wandering around Rainbow Springs State Park yesterday.  One of Florida’s oldest tourist attractions, Rainbow Springs (formerly known as Blue Springs) once featured “underwater cruise boats,” a raft adventure, animal park, rodeo arena, swamp garden, Rainbow Queen Paddleboat and monorail. In addition, portions of the long-forgotten movie, Tarzan and the Brown Prince (1972) were filmed here. The attraction closed in 1974 and the state purchased Rainbow Springs in 1995. Today, the park offers swimming, canoe/kayak rentals, campground, picnic areas, butterfly garden, waterfalls and nature trails, as well as a concession stand and gift shop. Remnants of the old zoo can also be viewed near the butterfly garden. Rainbow Springs State Park is located three miles north of Dunnellon on U.S. 41. Distance: 1.2 miles.

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly, West Orange Trail

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“The Gulf fritillary, Agraulis vanillae (Linnaeus), is a brightly colored butterfly common across extreme southern portions of the United States. At home in most open, sunny habitats, it frequents roadsides, disturbed sites, fields, open woodlands, pastures, yards, and parks. It is a regular in most butterfly gardens, including those in more urban settings.” – University of Florida Entomology & Nematology Department

Hike #10: Gemini Springs Park, DeBary

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Hike #10, 52 Hike Challenge: Gemini Springs Park, DeBary. We had a nice stroll around 210-acre Gemini Springs Park this morning. The springs are actually closed to swimming due to high bacteria levels (but that makes the park all that more peaceful for those of us who just want to wander around and explore!). The park features a small campsite, fishing dock and playground, as well as several nature trails. Located at 37 Dirksen Drive (off U.S. 17/92), Gemini Springs Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset; admission is free. Wildlife sightings: American White Ibis (No. 5 on Birding Life List), Bobcat, Red-Shouldered Hawk (No. 6). Distance: 1.5 miles.

Hike #9: Econ River Wilderness Area

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Hike #9, 52 Hike Challenge: Econ River Wilderness Area. Surrounded by bland subdivisions on all sides in Oviedo (3795 Old Lockwood Road), the 240-acre Econ River Wilderness Area is a welcome oasis! I have to admit I got lost a few times (make sure to pick up a trail map at the entrance!) and some of the trail was flooded, but I eventually made it to the river. A very scenic and relaxing hike! Distance: 2.7 miles.

Frenchy’s Outpost Bar & Grill

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An “Open-Air Key West Style Restaurant,” Frenchy’s Outpost Bar & Grill lies just about 2 miles east of Honeymoon Island State Park, making it the ideal spot to grab some lunch and an ice-cold drink after a morning at the beach! I recommend the Caribbean Jerk Chicken Sandwich and the “Fresh Catch” Pretzel (see above). We were entertained by Glenn & Steel Drums during our meal. We’ll definitely be back!

Honeymoon Island State Park

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Ideally located just west of Dunedin and north of Clearwater Beach (take U.S. 19 to S.R. 586 and travel west for five miles), Honeymoon Island State Park features 4 miles of white-sand beach, a pet beach area, concessions, picnic areas, playground and two nature trails: Osprey Trail and Pelican Cove Trail. In addition, a 20-minute ferry ride (fee) takes you over to Caladesi Island State Park.

Hike #8: Osprey Trail & Beach Walk, Honeymoon Island

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Hike #8, 52 Hike Challenge: Osprey Trail and Beach Walk, Honeymoon Island State Park. We walked along the Osprey Trail until we came upon an impassable flooded area. However, during our brief hike, we spotted an osprey soaring overhead, as well as two osprey nests. Did not see any gopher tortoises or eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, both of which make the pine flatwoods portion of the island their home. We will return another time to finish this trail. I also walked along the beach, which was very scenic. I spotted many shorebirds. Distance: 3 miles.

Jungle Cruise at Silver Springs

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“… according to local legend, rhesus monkeys had been brought to the area to enliven the set of the movie Tarzan Finds a Son!, which was filmed at Silver Springs in March 1939. As it happens, the monkeys didn’t make it into the movie … but they reportedly watched the filming and would screech with excitement whenever Johnny Weissmuller would dive into the water. In fact … the monkeys had been brought to Silver Springs somewhat earlier by an entrepreneur named Colonel Tooey, who operated a Jungle Cruise boat ride. He built up an island in the shallow Silver River and planned to put monkeys there at some point in 1938, with the idea of boosting his revenue. However, Colonel Tooey apparently thought he was getting a shipment of (non-swimming) squirrel monkeys. Instead, he got six rhesus monkeys … Supposedly, Colonel Tooey later brought in a few more monkeys, but for the most part, nature simply took her course: the monkeys multiplied and divided. A couple of troops total stuck around the banks of the Silver River near the Silver Springs, to the west of the original release site. They were regularly provisioned with monkey chow, fruit, and vegetables by Jungle Cruise boat captains who wanted to lure them closer to their customers.” – International Primate Protection League

Birding Life List No. 1: Florida Sandhill Crane

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After watching The Big Year (2011) several years ago, I decided to start a birding life list, but ditched it after just a few months due to frustration and boredom. However, I’m ready to start it up again and didn’t have to travel very far to record my first entry. I spotted these Florida Sandhill Cranes grazing in my neighbor’s yard this afternoon. Sadly, the Florida Sandhill Crane is a Threatened Species due to loss or deterioration of habitat. There are as few as 5,000 Florida Sandhill Cranes left and they are protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and as a State-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule.