The Wandering Disciple

Lu keeps an eye on the crowd at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. Lu, a hippopotamus, is the only animal of the park that is not native to the State of Florida. But he has been a resident of the park since 1964 and became an honorary citizen of Florida in 1991. Lu is the oldest hippo in North America and turns 60 in 2020. (Photo: December 28, 2019)

A black-crowned night heron stares into the marsh with intense concentration waiting to ambush its prey. The heron can be found standing still waiting to ambush unexpecting prey like small fish, frogs or lizards. But the heron is also very resourceful and is one of the few species of birds that bait fish. They have been known to throw edible buoyant items into the water within striking distance and wait for a fish to come and grab a bite to eat, then the heron snags the fish out of the water for a meal. (Photo: December 28, 2019)

Stonework and some machinery are all that remain to give us a glimpse into the past of the plantation of David Levy Yulee.  Once a prominent political figure, Yulee owned 5,00 acre plantation that raised sugarcane, citrus and cotton.  The plantation was destroyed during the Civil War.  Today the ruins are preserved by the National Registry of Historic Places and is now the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins State Park operated by the Florida Park Service.  (Photo: November 11, 2009)

A manatee slowly lingers in the warmer waters of Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Every winter, the manatees migrate from the coastal Gulf waters into springs and inlets in search of warmer water. The manatees rely on the warmer waters to survive the cool winter water temperatures. Even in South Florida, the manatees still need to seek warm water refuges on colder days, seeking the warm discharge canals of power plants or run-off from warm springs that keep waters a comfortable 72 degrees for the manatees. (Photo: November 11, 2009)

In a wildlife park dedicated to native Floridian wildlife, one strange visitor pops up from the water.  While hippos are not native to Florida, Lu the Hippo is one exception.  Lu has lived at what is now Homosassa Springs State Park for so long, former Governor Lawton Chiles granted him citizenship.  Today Lu and all the other native Floridians can be seen from the boardwalk at the park.  (Photo: November 11, 2009)

A Florida Panther stands in the brush at Homosassa Springs State Park.  The park is a unique attraction that combines a zoo with natural Floridian fauna.  A nature trail leads guests on a walk through animal habitats featuring Florida native wildlife.  (Photo: November 11, 2009)

A red tail hawk is one of the many native Floridians on display at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. The park is home to hawks, eagles, bears, panthers, bobcats and even a hippo. The animal habitats are situated along a nature boardwalk making it a one of a kind attraction. (Photo: November 11, 2009)

An alligator lies in the water at Homossassa Spring Wildlife Park. The park gives you the opportunity to get close to the wildlife in a natural setting of the park. The park features a nature trail that winds through the park with natural animal habitats spread along the way. You can view alligators, bears, bobcats, panthers, snakes, birds of prey, manatees and much more here. (Photo: November 11, 2009)

A tabby foundation and steel machinery is all that remains of a once thriving sugar plantation once owned by David Levy Yulee, a member of the US Senate and eventually of the Confederate Congress. The plantation encompasses over 5,000 acres and was used to produce sugar, syrup and molasses. During the Civil War, the plantation was destroyed and the ruins are now a state historic site operated by the Florida Parks System. (Photo: November 11, 2011)

A fox lies by the fence at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. Operated by the Florida Parks System, the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park combines wild animals and hiking trails to make a one of a kind attraction. (Photo: November 11, 2009)

Homosassa, Florida: In the midst of dense tropical foliage lies home to many of Florida’s residents. Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park provides a walk into the habitats of the animals that call Florida their home. The park is home to bobcats, panthers, bears, birds of prey, manatees and many more Florida natives. The vision of the park began in the early 1900’s when the train that traveled through Homosassa would stop at the springs. Guests would disembark the train and marvel that the clear waters and abundance of fish that called the springs home. In 1940, the site was purchased and operated as a petting zoo style attraction. In 1964, the land was bought by the Norris Development Company. Although the master plan of the company was to build a city here, the beginning of the project led to what is now present day Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. The project began with the dredging of the creek, which exhausted much of the money that was set aside for the project. Then on a trip ...

Homosassa, Florida: This small state park in Homosassa sits on what was once a thriving sugar plantation during the Civil War era. The plantation and mill were owned and operated by prominent Floridian David Levy Yulee. Today the park has what remains of the sugar mill along with picnic facilities. Yulee practiced law in St. Augustine and became the delegate to the United States Congress for the Florida Territory prior to Florida becoming a state. Once Florida was admitted to the Union in 1845, Yulee became the Democratic representive for Florida in the United States Senate. Yulee served one term in the Senate before being voted out of office in 1850. He was later reelected in 1855 and served until 1861 when Florida seceded from the Union. Once he was voted out of the Senate, Yulee began a 5,100 acre sugar plantation in Homosassa, Florida. The plantation in which Yulee called Margarita, was operated by over a thousand slaves and produced sugar, syrup and molasses. In 1851, a su...