March 24, 2010

We have now visited the Blue Springs State Park. The campground is very nice and we had an excellent spot. The highlight of the park though, is the 1/2 mile boardwalk that follows the spring waters and joins with the St. John's River. This is a big winter spot for Manatees when the ocean waters and the fresh water rivers get too cold. At one point, the park personnel counted more than 300 manatees in the springs during the coldest months of January and February. We visited the park last year and were so impressed that we wanted to revisit it this year. The water is extremely clear, the temperature stays at a constant 72 degrees and swimming is allowed most of the year.

As we walked along the boardwalk, we were able to see several fish - Blue Tilapia, Bass, Long Nose Gar, Cat Fish, Carp and small minnows. The Blue Tilapia is not a native fish, they have been introduced to this area from Africa. They have taken over the waters and Fish and Game personnel are concerned they are driving other species of fish out. They dig their nest in the river/spring bottom - an area about 2 feet in diameter - lay their eggs and then hover over the area until the eggs hatch. All quite interesting. Last week they were laying eggs, this week when we were there they were hovering.

Along the boardwalk from the viewing areas, we saw several manatees. They were still there but starting to move out into the river to eat. They are vegetarians and love the sea grass that grows on the river bottoms. At night when the waters cool, they will swim back into the spring waters until the next morning.

Also on our walk, we spotted several turtles and alligators sunning themselves on tree limbs/roots and along the bank. Of course, in Florida, any body of water is suspect for alligators!

Next stop, Monticello, where my cousin's son and family live. We will do a couple of day trips from there, possibly down to the Gulf of Mexico - about 45 or 50 miles.