The Wandering Disciple

At Oscar Scherer State Park, Lake Osprey offers a calm, scenic escape where glassy waters reflect the surrounding pine flatwoods and open skies. This freshwater lake is a favorite for kayaking, canoeing, and catch-and-release fishing, while its quiet shoreline provides the perfect vantage point for spotting birds—including the park’s namesake osprey soaring overhead. Whether you’re paddling across the gentle surface or relaxing along the bank, Lake Osprey captures the peaceful, natural beauty that defines this hidden gem along Florida’s Gulf Coast.   Taken: February 1, 2009 at Oscar Scherer State Park (Osprey, FL)

 A wild orange grows along a hiking trail at Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey, Florida.  The orange we consume on a regular basis, also known as a sweet orange, is not a wild fruit.  It is actually a hybrid between a mandarin and a pomelo.  It created a sweet orange which was introduced to Florida by Spanish settlers in 1565 when Pedro Menendez de Aviles settled St Augustine.  Today much of the Florida oranges are used to create orange juice sold worldwide.  (Photo: January 20, 2018)

A little campfire provides some light in the night sky. A cozy campfire is a is a great way to cap off a day of wilderness exploring at Oscar Scherer State Park, part of the Florida State Park system. Located along the west coast of Florida, Oscar Scherer is known for its population of Florida Scrub Jays, an endangered bird found in scrub habitats in Florida. The park features miles of hiking trails and a full campground. (Photo: November 12, 2016)

Slow and steady wins the race. Well this gopher tortoise wasn't racing a hare but it was racing across the hiking trail at Oscar Scherer State Park. The threatened gopher tortoise can be found throughout Florida scrub habitats like the one here at Oscar Scherer. The gopher tortoise is important to the ecosystem as its burrow system provides homes to over 300 other species of animals. That is crucial in this landscape that is controlled by fire. (Photo: March 8, 2014)

The slow and tranquil waters of the South Creek as it passes under an oak tree inside Oscar Scherer State Park.  The South Creek flows into the park from nearby Dryman Bay and provides the park with much needed life.  The creek is the center of life in the park, it is a source of drinking water for the animals of the park, home to the aquatic residents, a source of recreation for the park's visitors and a great photo op for photographers.  (Photo: November 8, 2009)

Osprey, Florida: After almost a year hiatus from camping, we pulled the gear back out for a weekend camping trip at Oscar Scherer State Park. Since this was the first trip in a while, we stayed close to home to home to make sure we could work the kinks out of our gear and set-up before embarking on longer adventures. Oscar Scherer is a good choice for us because of its close proximity to the house. It makes for a quick and easy weekend trip. This is actually our third camping trip here. While this was not out first camping trip, it felt like it. It has been a little while and our first trying to fit the gear in a car rather than an SUV. I am glad we didn’t bring the dogs because I don’t think we would have had enough room. Despite not having room for the dogs, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra fit more gear than I had expected. We were able to pack all of our regular camping gear and still comfortably seat our family of 3. Since we did not have the dogs, we were assigned a cam...

A scrub jay stands on guard at Oscar Scherer State Park. The park is one of the few places where you can get close to a colony of Florida Scrub Jays, a species in the decline due to the development of scrub habitats in Florida. (Photo: March 8, 2014)

The bright blue waters of Lake Osprey at Oscar Scherer State Park are a popular spot at this suburban park located just south of Sarasota.  The man made lake is open for swimming to help cool down from the hot Florida sun.  (Photo: November 8, 2009)

A Florida Scrub Jay sits in the brush at Oscar Scherer State Park.  The Florida Scrub Jay is a threatened species found in scrub habitat throughout Florida.  Development throughout Florida is causing destruction of the scrub jay habitat, resulting in their threatened status.  (Photo: March 8, 2014)

Two juvenile bald eagles soar above Oscar Scherer State Park.  There are two active eagle nests within the state park. One of the nests is visible from the Green Trail and there is an observation station there to watch the nest activity from a distance.  (Photo: March 8, 2014)

A gopher tortoise searches for food along the Green Trail at Oscar Scherer State Park.  The 1,500 acre state park is home to many species of animals including the gopher tortoise and the threatened Florida Scrub Jay.  (Photo: March 8, 2014)

Osprey, Florida: On select days, Oscar Scherer State Park operates a tram tour, taking guest on a ride through the park to take a closer look at some of the hidden gems. At 1,500 acres and 15 miles of trail, its hard to see it all but the tram makes it easier to take a look into park. Today we decided to take a ride on the tram. We have been to Oscar Scherer on many occasions in the past. We have hiked the trail and the camped at the campground, but today we were going to get a guided tour of the park. We have taken these guided tours before at Myakka River and Higland Hammocks State Parks and they are a great way to get an inside look into the park.  The rangers do a great job telling the story of the park and its residents. The tour begins at the Nature Center where you board the tram. From there the tour departed for the Green Trail. Ironically enough, we just completed hiking a portion of the Green Trail waiting for the tram tour to begin. But there is a much dif...

The South Creek meanders through Oscar Scherer State Park. The creek is a popular spot for canoeing, fishing or just relaxing along the trail and enjoying the view. (Photo: November 8, 2009)

The calm waters of the South Creek meander through the dense canopy of trees at Oscar Scherer State Park. Visitor’s to the park can canoe, kayak or fish along the banks of the creek or take a hike on one of the many park trails. (Photo: November 8, 2009)

Osprey, Florida: In addition to great hiking and wildlife opportunities, Oscar Scherer State Park is also a popular camping attraction. Under the thick canopy of trees, there are campsites that can accommodate anything from a tent to an RV. The park features 94 sites with some on the water of South Creek. They range in size from small tent sites through large RV sites with everything in between. All sites feature water, electricity, a picnic table and a fire ring. Campfires are permitted and firewood can be purchased at the Ranger Station. There is also a group campsite that can hold up to fifty campers for group outings. Pets are allowed but only at select campsites. The campground also features five bathhouses and a playground. There large campfire circle where the staff of the park puts on a campfire presentation on select nights. There is no restaurant or store located in the park, but there are plenty within a short drive from the park. In addition to the campgrounds ameni...

Osprey, Florida: We decided to plan a last minute camping trip for the weekend. This was our first family camping trip and my first time camping since growing up in Pennsylvania. Since this was the first time camping, we picked a state park close to home, Oscar Scherer State Park. We checked in and were assigned Site 55. We made our way back to the campsite and began to set-up our camp. The tent we had was a breeze to set-up. It was a Coleman Instant Tent and only took about 5-10 minutes to get ready. Even though we were camping, we still decided to eat out for dinner and breakfast to limit the amount of stuff we needed to bring with us. So after the camp was set up, we left for dinner. We ate dinner at Gator Tails near Sarasota Square Mall. The sports bar had a menu that had something for everyone. I had a cheese steak, my wife had fish and chips and our son had a cheese quesadilla. The food was very reasonably priced and filling. After dinner, we headed back to the park....

Osprey, Florida: In a rapidly developing area of central Sarasota County lies a 1,400 acre wildlife habitat that welcomes of 130,000 visitors annually. Oscar Scherer State Park has been in operation since 1956 and is home to many of Florida native wildlife. In 1955, Elsa Scherer Burrows passed away and left the family’s 460 acre ranch along the South Creek to the state of Florida in the name of her father, Oscar Scherer. One year later the park opened to the public. The park expanded in 1991 due to an effort to protect the Florida Scrub-Jay by realtor and current Sarasota County commissioner Jon Thaxton. With the efforts of Thaxton and the Nature Conservancy, the park added 922 acres from Palmer Ranch and grew to 1,384 acres. Then in recognition of National Public Lands Day 2008, local developer Lee Wetherington donated 16 acres from the Willowbend subdivision to bring the park to its current day size of 1,400 acres. Oscar Scherer State Park consist of several Florida landscapes i...