Florida February – Central Florida

Ocala National Forest

While in Crystal River, we did some exploring around Central Florida. Lots of people do not realize that this part of Florida has more than 700 major artesian springs, many of them fed by hundreds of individual bubblers.

It's the geology of the land that creates this phenomenon. 

Rainwater gradually seeps through the ground to the aquifer beneath, being purified and cooled as it passes through porous limestone. 

Springs support a variety of fish, animals and plants

Limestone forms a barrier between the ground and the aquifer, but chemical reactions within the limestone form large  caves within the rock. When groundwater is forced up in areas where the aquifer is close to the surface, springs form, providing access to both water and the underground cave network. 

Springs are more common in North-Central Florida because the aquifer is closest to the surface.

The springs and ecosystems they support are fragile. Pesticides, fertilizers and other pollutants flow into some of the springs. In some areas, water bottling companies are drawing down the water at greater rates than nature does. We visited several springs as we explored.

Rainbow Springs and Silver Springs 

Rainbow Springs State Park protects Rainbow Springs, the fourth-largest artesian spring formation in Florida. The springs produce more than 490 million gallons of water daily and form the headwaters of the Rainbow River, which empties into the Withlacoochee River.

Some of the 4,500 mini-springs that comprise Rainbow Springs

Rainbow Springs was known as Wekiwa Creek by the Seminole Indians. It was known as Blue Spring until the 1930s, when the site was developed as a tourist attraction and the promoter sought a more distinctive name (there are several other springs in Florida named "Wekiwa" and "Blue"). To compete with the "glass-bottom boats" of nearby Silver Springs, Rainbow Springs offered submarine tours and "mermaid shows" similar to those offered at Weeki Wachee Springs.

Photos: State Library & Archives of Florida

The entire Rainbow River was designated as a Registered Natural Landmark in 1972, an Aquatic Preserve in 1986 and an "Outstanding Florida Waterway" in 1987. The land around the headwaters of the springs remained privately owned until 1990, when the State of Florida acquired the springs and saved them from development. Much of the work to open Rainbow Springs State Park was done by volunteers from the community.

The grounds are stunningly beautiful, with lush vegetation and bubbling springs ...

Rainbow Springs

... lakes ...

This really looks like old Florida

... spring flowers ...

Azaleas

... and some really interesting lichens ...

Lichens

Plus, there was a fair amount of wildlife, including a cooperative – and damp – Red-shouldered Hawk drying itself in the parking lot after an early morning shower …

Red-shouldered Hawk

A male Northern cardinal singing its heart out …

Serenading Cardinal

Most likely, trying to attract a mate …

A gorgeous bird

A lovely female Northern Cardinal (I am not sure if she took the bait) …

Female Northern Cardinal

A curious little Gray Catbird …

Gray Catbird

And, a pair of frisky Pileated Woodpeckers chasing each other around the park …

Mr. and Mrs. Pileated Woodpecker

… and stopping to pound some holes into the trees …

Male Pileated Woodpecker

Plus, I saw some of Florida’s lovely Green Herons …

Green Heron

… White Ibises (Ibi?) …

White Ibis

... and Squirrels ...

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Nearby Silver Springs is a group of artesian springs and a historic tourist attraction that is now part of Silver Springs State Park. One of Florida's first tourist attractions, Silver Springs was founded in 1852. In the 1870s, it began offering the afore-mentioned glass-bottom boat tours, which are still available in the State Park.

Silver Springs in 1926 and the 1960s; Photos: State Library & Archives of Florida

In the 1920s, it became Silver Springs Nature Theme Park, featuring native animal exhibits, amusement rides and the glass-bottom boat tours. In 2013, the State of Florida took over operations of Silver Springs and combined it with the adjacent Silver River State Park to form the new Silver Springs State Park. 

My family at Six-Gun Territory

Near Silver Springs were a number of other tourist attractions, including western-themed Six Gun Territory, which included the Southern Railway & Six Gun Narrow Gauge Railroad. It operated from 1963 to 1984. 

When I was a kid, my family visited Six Gun Territory and Silver Springs for sure. As kids, we loved it, especially the gun fight! I am not sure if we ever went to Rainbow Springs. 

I also tubed on both rivers when in high school. One place I don’t recall visiting was Ocala National Forest.

We didn’t stay long at Silver Springs. Even though geographically close to Rainbow Springs, it was much less green, as if spring hadn't made it there yet. Plus, the glass-bottom boats were all booked up.

Pied-billed Grebe, Silver Springs

Ocala National Forest

Ocala National Forest, which covers 607 square miles in Central Florida, is the state’s second largest nationally protected forest. 

The National Forest is full of greenery and springs

Established in 1908, it is the oldest National Forest east of the Mississippi River and the southernmost National Forest in the continental U.S. The word Ocala is thought to be a derivative of a Timucuan term meaning "fair land" or "big hammock." 

The Forest is damp and verdant

A hammock is “a fertile area in the southern U.S. and especially Florida that is usually higher than its surroundings and is characterized by hardwood vegetation and deep humus-rich soil.”

Canoe launch

Ocala National Forest comprises southeastern conifer forests and Florida sand pine scrub. Dry, sandy areas support longleaf pine sandhills and peninsula inland scrub. 

The forest contains the largest concentration of sand pine in the world as well as some of the best remaining stands of longleaf pine in Central Florida. It has several slow-moving rivers and numerous wet "prairies.” The spring-fed rivers support hammocks of evergreen and hardwood trees and freshwater marshes. The Ocala National Forest is also known for having more than 600 natural lakes and ponds. 

Wildlife includes Black Bears, Alligators, White-tailed Deer, Wild Boar, Gopher Tortoise and numerous small animals, including Squirrels, Bats, Coyote, Gray Fox, Red Fox, Opossum, Raccoon, River Otter, Bobcat, Skunk, Southeastern Pocket Gopher and Nine-Banded Armadillo. We saw only Eastern Gray Squirrels.

Squirrel eating a mushroom

We went to the Juniper Springs Recreation Area, which has a lovely spring-fed swimming area and an old mill with a working waterwheel ...

Old Mill

The combined daily water flow from Juniper and nearby Fern Hammock Springs is about 13 million gallons, with water temperatures a constant 72°F. The water wheel and old mill building was constructed in the 1930s by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps to provide electricity for the nearby campground.

Today, the mill houses interpretive and historical exhibits, and the stone walls that the CCC used to channel the spring into a swimming area have been refurbished to better show off the beauty of this natural wonder.

The area also has a lovely stone bridge built by the CCC ...

Stone bridge

On our way back to our hotel at the end of the day, we encountered some Glossy Ibises ...

Glossy Ibis

... and Florida Sandhill Cranes, some relaxed ...

Sandhill Cranes

... and some engaged in a pretty big argument ...

Sandhills getting exercised

Photo: Scott Stevens

Oh, and we were able to have lunch at our favorite BBQ place – Sonny's.

We started eating at Sonny's – the original Sonny's Fat Boy BBQ in Gainesville, Florida – when we were in college. That's 45 years of eating Sonny's BBQ. Wow!

We pretty much have the same thing – the sliced smoked pork special – every time we go. It includes baked beans (really good), coleslaw (so-so) and grilled garlic bread (great to make a sandwich).

While it was yummy, I must say that it is not as good as it used to be. They seem to be using a different cut of pork. Perhaps, I'll switch over to pulled pork next time. I just want to get the garlic bread.

Of course, traveling to Florida is always about food: Cuban, Greek, seafood and Sonny's. We used to go to Tio Pepe's, our all-time favorite restaurant (Spanish, not Cuban), but it closed years ago. We mourn it still.

Trip date: February 12-19, 2020