Blue Springs State Park

[Second Hand Pat]

I have a friend visiting and we took a trip to the Blue Springs State Park. It is a natural Florida spring and has a channel running from the spring head to the St. John's River. It is a fairly short channel and the Florida manatees will use it in the winter time due to the warmer spring water (72 F) compared to the water in the river.

Now some pictures. Some of these pictures are a bit blurry due to the distance I was from the subject. I had the lens extended as far as it could go.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3501_zpsfec721d2.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3501_zpsfec721d2.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3503_zpsad90a553.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3503_zpsad90a553.jpg.html)

[Second Hand Pat]

Looking down the channel..

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3504_zps56929af9.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3504_zps56929af9.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3514_zpsaece5414.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3514_zpsaece5414.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3513_zpsac1ac264.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3513_zpsac1ac264.jpg.html)

[Second Hand Pat]

Tarpon
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3510_zpsc094962f.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3510_zpsc094962f.jpg.html)

Fern covered oak
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3518_zps018731d8.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3518_zps018731d8.jpg.html)

[Second Hand Pat]

More channel...note the clear water.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3519_zps33b3ff4e.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3519_zps33b3ff4e.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3520_zps856e1793.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3520_zps856e1793.jpg.html)

Beauty berry
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3522_zps255afd7d.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3522_zps255afd7d.jpg.html)

[Second Hand Pat]

Spring head

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3526_zps7bd290f0.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3526_zps7bd290f0.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3531_zps466ae56b.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3531_zps466ae56b.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3541_zpsf9819f27.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3541_zpsf9819f27.jpg.html)

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3529_zps4e61adfd.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3529_zps4e61adfd.jpg.html)

[Second Hand Pat]

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3551_zps0037bb0b.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3551_zps0037bb0b.jpg.html)

and finally some manatees. They were on the other side of the river. Note the grey blobs. :D

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3555_zpsd1b14886.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3555_zpsd1b14886.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3556_zpsf0fb59e7.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3556_zpsf0fb59e7.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3562_zps5bf3566a.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3562_zps5bf3566a.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3563_zpsa99724eb.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3563_zpsa99724eb.jpg.html)

A nose
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3565_zps729bdb27.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3565_zps729bdb27.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3568_zps0c6e2ed9.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3568_zps0c6e2ed9.jpg.html)

[Second Hand Pat]

The end
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3573_zpsf2917b9a.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Blue%20Springs%20November%202013/DSC_3573_zpsf2917b9a.jpg.html)

[sdrexler078]

That is awesome beautiful pictures

[chaoslite]

That is really beautiful, Pat.

Mishka

[Rudustin]

OMG Pat! Beautiful pictures and great nature! I live in florida and need to go and see this. It almost looks like Discus could thrive in that water! Of course we have enough non indigenous species thriving in the air and water of our state so I don't suggest anyone take my suggestion seriously. Thanks Pat for the lovely pics. Rufus

[Second Hand Pat]

That is awesome beautiful pictures

Thank you :)


That is really beautiful, Pat.

Mishka

These springs are really gorgeous places Miskha and a very unique part of Florida.

[Second Hand Pat]

OMG Pat! Beautiful pictures and great nature! I live in florida and need to go and see this. It almost looks like Discus could thrive in that water! Of course we have enough non indigenous species thriving in the air and water of our state so I don't suggest anyone take my suggestion seriously. Thanks Pat for the lovely pics. Rufus

Thanks Rufus, all the state springs look similar to this and definitely go visit one. This one is close to Daytona if you are ever in the neighborhood. The springs have a consistent temp of 72...too cold for discus.

[Nick Klimkowski]

Wow that is beautiful Pat! Is That in brackish water? Just wondering because of the tarpon.

-Nick

[Second Hand Pat]

All freshwater Nick. I was quite surprised to see the tarpon. Last time I see tarpon was in the keys and they were in full saltwater.

[Rudustin]

Thanks Rufus, all the state springs look similar to this and definitely go visit one. This one is close to Daytona if you are ever in the neighborhood. The springs have a consistent temp of 72...too cold for discus.

There are so many places like that in and near the Everglades. We have route 27 here that goes north west and I love to drive there and visit the many stops along the way and see the similar areas with hanging moss and clear water. Yes, down our way in Miami the water is warmer. Rufus

[CrazyAngels]

Awesome pics Pat, always a nice treat from you, thanks for sharing. Neat for us as you now have a few extra minutes to take these sweet shots to share with us all.

[Second Hand Pat]

There are so many places like that in and near the Everglades. We have route 27 here that goes north west and I love to drive there and visit the many stops along the way and see the similar areas with hanging moss and clear water. Yes, down our way in Miami the water is warmer. Rufus

Rufus, I have never explored the Everglades and I am a third generation Floridian. If I ever head your way definitely want to look you up.

[Second Hand Pat]

Awesome pics Pat, always a nice treat from you, thanks for sharing. Neat for us as you now have a few extra minutes to take these sweet shots to share with us all.

Thanks Jorge and my pleasure, it was actually nice to step out of the house today. We tried for an air boat ride but got rained out.

[Nick Klimkowski]

I was surprised as well, I have only seen tarpon in salt water as well.

-Nick

[SMB2]

Tarpon all start as saltwater fish but can migrate to brackish or freshwater. Some will stay in freshwater. They are part of the herring family, for what it's worth. Like the Arowana and Arapaima, the Tarpon have specially adapted swim bladders that allow for air gulping to take on extra oxygen for low O2 water or for a little burst of speed.
Cory catfish are also gut breathers, that is why they always dash to the surface for a little gulp of air.

Nice shots Pat. I would have had to jump in with the Manatees for some underwater shots!




http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac196/LongLure/DSC_9957_zps2b33b9cb.jpg (http://s899.photobucket.com/user/LongLure/media/DSC_9957_zps2b33b9cb.jpg.html)

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Stan, swimming was not allowed in the park so did the best I could :D That is a great picture of a manatee.

[SMB2]

Just kidding. Swimming with Manatees thankfully is pretty well regulated in the Fla parks. $5k fine I think.

[dirtyplants]

I miss this state, been to Blue Springs, my brother lives in Florida, he thought I was nuts wanting to spend my time in the parks. Nice pictures, winter is coming here and I would love to be traveling through the Florida park systems again.

[DiscusLoverJeff]

Great pictures Pat. I will have to visit this park on my next trip down to Florida.

[Second Hand Pat]

I miss this state, been to Blue Springs, my brother lives in Florida, he thought I was nuts wanting to spend my time in the parks. Nice pictures, winter is coming here and I would love to be traveling through the Florida park systems again.

Bucket list :D

[Second Hand Pat]

Great pictures Pat. I will have to visit this park on my next trip down to Florida.

Thanks Jeff, it is well worth it. Allow at least a half day.

[Allwin]

Nice pictures and thanks for sharing..

[NAB]

Those are great pics. Looks like a nice place to spend the day.