I would like to start by saying that this place is beautiful and if you can, go visit it. So the girlfriend and I started this trip by meeting her sister and her husband at their house. While I was there, the picture taking had already begun. I saw these young Lubber Grasshoppers (Romalea microptera) crawling all over their plants. Romalea microptera ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) Romalea microptera ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) Anyway, skipping ahead a bit. We arrived at Wikewa Springs State Park and began to set up camp. There were some pretty flowers all around the camp and flying above us were some Terns. ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) Tern ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) Tern and Moon ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) That last picture of the Tern and the Moon was a complete accident, but I thought it looked pretty cool. Her sisters husband, Clay, and I went to go look for some firewood. While I was trying to break some branches, I heard a sound of something moving through the underbrush. I looked down and saw a young Gopher Tortoise. Young Gopher Tortoise ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) These tortoises are a protected species and are a key species for this type of environment with their holes providing homes for snakes and small mammals. After everything was set up, we headed over to the main attraction of the park, the springs. The springs here stayed at a constant 70 something degrees throughout the year. Wekiwa Springs ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) We were hot from setting up camp, so we decided to go for a swim. 70 degree water sounds warm, but I can assure you that it is not. After our swim we drove around some of the roads in the park and noticed that there was an amazing amount of wildlife that occupied the park. We saw deer, Deer ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) and turkeys, Turkeys ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) and more Gopher Tortoises. Gopher Tortoise ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) We found out later that there were Gopher Tortoises everywhere. I have never seen so many in one place. They were literally walking though our camp site. Squirrels were also everywhere and some were pretty bold. We were sitting around the fire when we noticed this little guy hiding amongst our things on the picknick table. Squirrel ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) They were even hanging out by the springs just chilling. Squirrel ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) The spring opened up into a lagoon which then turned into a river. There were big paddle boats that looked like miniature pontoon boats which you could rent and paddle around the lagoon and down the river. There were so many beautiful plants along the river. ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) Air Plants ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) We saw so much wildlife here too. We saw many birds and alligators. ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) Alligator ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) Alligator ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) Could you spot the alligator in that last picture? Clay and I went fishing one day and we were just relaxing and watching the alligators swim about the pond. The fish were not biting, but we really didn't care. While we were fishing, I heard a noise behind us. I turned to see what it was just thinking that it was people when I saw a huge black bear standing behind us maybe 10 to 15 yards away. I was weighing all kinds of options in my mind like should I stand my ground or jump in the pond full of alligators. There was no easy way out of this. Well, before I could even get the word "BEAR!!!" out to warn Clay, it took off down the trail. We both let out a huge sigh of relief. Needless to say, we decided to call it a day with fishing. The picture is of my hand next to its paw print in the sand. Bear Print ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) Before we left, I noticed that there were a lot of blueberry bushes around the spot where we were fishing. The bear was probably just going for his morning snack when he saw two people fishing, got scared, and took off. On the trip home our wildlife encounters were not over. I noticed this turtle crossing the road, so I pulled over and helped it across the road. Turtle ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) Overall, it was an amazing trip and a wonderful place to visit. There seemed to be something new everyday. I highly recommend this place for anyone.
Such a beautiful place! I would have been nervous spotting the gator, and REALLY nervous to see a bear right behind me!! Thanks for sharing!
I really enjoyed your photographs and your commentary. What a beautiful place Wikewa Springs State Park is. :-D It's a pity I don't live nearer as it's the type of scenery and wildlife I could lose myself in. I'm so pleased to hear that the Gopher Tortoises are doing so well and are protected. So many species are on the endangered list nowadays. I can hardly imagine what it would be like fishing where there are alligators swimming around and black bears foraging for food. What an abundance of wild flowers, fruit and fauna!! Many thanks for the tour of the park and I'm glad you enjoyed your time there and shared your experiences with us.
What a great looking park. And so full of wildlife and "tamelife" too! Beautiful place. Thanks for all the great photos.
Thanks everyone! I'm glad you all enjoyed my adventure too. Netty - Yes, it was quite scary. I've had my run in with bears before, but nothing quite like that. It's not something I would like to experience again I think. Eileen - I am pleased also to see the Gopher Tortoises are doing so well down there. I hope that they can make a comeback and remove themselves from the endangered list. Fishing with the alligators is not as bad as it sounds. As long as you leave them alone and know what to look for when they get agitated, they will leave you alone. Cherylad - The wildlife was amazingly tame. You could almost walk up to the turkeys. I came within about 5 feet of one. The squirrels would literally eat out of your hand. We fed a couple grapes to one until he got full and lumbered off.
Excellent travel log. Thanks for taking us along. You had a real knack with the camera. Florida has some real natural beauty. I really enjoyed my trip there last summer. That bear print demonstrated that the bear was a bit large for an encounter. Glad he wasn't overly familiar with humans.
Lovely wildlife pictures,..but of course i was bowled over with the water pictures,..loved those shots,..even thinking how nice it would be to swim there as our water is always COLD,..then i spotted the Alligators,..so i will hold on the swim,..your Bear encounter i can relate to as i met a Grizzily in Yellowstone,..they don't look as big on TV,..lol. Very enjoyable looking at your adventure,..thank you.
