#homosassa river

[sitting-on-me-bum]

A manatee enjoys the crystal-clear waters of the Homosassa River.

Location: Florida

Photographer: Sylvie Ayer

Ocean Photographer of the Year

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Winslow Homer - "Homosassa river", 1904

* * * *

“A mark was on him from the day's delight, so that all his life, when April was a thin green and the flavor of rain was on his tongue, an old wound would throb and a nostalgia would fill him for something he could not quite remember.” ― Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, The Yearling

[irreverent-dobermans]

Three Sisters Spring,

[almarinesurveyors]

Trust Skilled Boat and Yacht Inspectors Florida for Professional Assistance

In the heart of Florida's Gulf Coast and nestled amidst the tranquil water of Crystal River, Homosassa, and the inland lakes of Lakeland, boat and yacht inspectors play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, seaworthiness, and compliance of vessels navigating these picturesque waterways. With their expertise, professionalism, and dedication to excellence, these inspectors uphold the highest standards of maritime integrity and safeguard the interests of boat owners, buyers and insurers across the region.

Crystal River and Homosassa, renowned for their pristine waters, abundant marine life, and scenic beauty, attract boating enthusiasts from far and wide. Crystal River Homosassa boat and yacht surveyors in these coastal communities specialize in providing comprehensive inspection services tailored to the unique needs of vessels navigating the area's intricate waterways. From pre-purchase surveys to insurance assessments and damage evaluations, these inspectors offer invaluable insights into the condition, value, and compliance of boats and yachts, ensuring that owners and buyers can navigate the waters peacefully.

Lakeland, situated amidst a network of picturesque lakes and waterways in central Florida, is a haven for boaters seeking tranquility and natural beauty. Lakeland boat surveyors provide essential inspection services to boat owners, buyers, and insurers ensuring the safety and reliability of vessels navigating the region's inland lakes. Whether it's about assessing the condition of a vintage wooden boat or conducting a pre-purchase inspection for a modern motor yacht, these inspectors bring a wealth of expertise and experience to every inspection, delivering accurate, impartial, and timely assessments to meet the needs of their clients.

Boat and yacht inspectors Florida adheres to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and customer service. With their thorough knowledge of maritime regulations, industry best practices and local conditions, they provide clients with the information needed to make informed decisions about their vessels. Whether it's about verifying compliance with safety standards, assessing condition of hulls and propulsion systems, or identifying potential issues that may affect the seaworthiness or value of a vessel, these inspectors play an indispensable role in supporting the boating communities of Florida's Gulf Coast and inland lakes.

Boat and yacht inspectors serve as trusted advisors and guardians of the seas, ensuring that vessels meet the highest standards of safety, reliability, and compliance. Whether it's about navigating the crystal-clear water of Crystal River and Homosassa Springs, or exploring the serene lakes of Lakeland, boat owners and buyers can rely on the expertise and professionalism of these inspectors to safeguard their investments and ensure enjoyable and worry-free boating experiences.

With their unwavering commitment to excellence, experts in these communities continue to set the standard for maritime inspection services in Florida.According to me, you must consider the valuable maritime assistance being offered at A&L Marine Surveyors, LLC.

[ingek73]

He cometh

A manatee seen looking downwards at the camera, as rays of sunlight frame the animal in the picture

A manatee enjoys the crystal-clear waters of the Homosassa River in Florida, US, one of the winners of the 2023 Ocean Photographer of the Year 2023

Photograph: mediadrumimages/Sylvie Ayer

[naturecoaster]

Have you seen Monkey Island? It's not a game. It's not a song. It's a real island in Homosassa with monkeys! Monkey Island Florida is one of the most unique sights along Florida’s Nature Coast.  A small island in the Homosassa River, easily seen from the Homosassa Riverside Resort⑴, Monkey Island began as a solution to a sticky problem in neighboring Weeki Wachee, Florida. Thousands of people come to see Monkey Island and marvel at the antics of the monkeys who live there each year. What many people don’t know is that the island itself came to be in the Homosassa River as the result of a misunderstanding, and the monkeys were originally put on the island to keep them out of mischief. In 2022, the Lowman family purchased the Homosassa Riverside Resort and began extensive renovations. They worked with the Hensley family to rebrand the property as the Florida Cracker Riverside Resort and embarked on a huge upgrade for the monkeys of Monkey Island Florida. These well-loved simians have been relocated while their habitat is torn down and reconstructed with air-conditioned quarters, fresh water, new toys, and a monkey cam. Stay tuned for more details… Meanwhile… Here is the true story of Monkey Island in Florida G.A. “Furgy” Furgason was a major influence in the development of the Homosassa Florida area in the 1950’s and 1960’s. In fact, he was often referred to as “Mr. Homosassa,” having put together several local land deals. G.A. Furgason created the exotic plant and animal attraction that is now Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. In the 1960’s, the Norris Cattle Company sent Mr. Furgason to Africa on business. The Norris Cattle Company was a huge owner of area lands and used some of those parcels to mine for phosphate and limestone. They employed Mr. Furgason. Before “Furgy” left, he kept hearing of a pile of rocks in the middle of the Homosassa River that was causing trouble.  The rocks were submerged just enough to be unseen and near enough to the waterline to cause havoc for the river’s boaters. Furgy directed one of his dragline operators to “pile some dirt around those rocks so the boaters would see them better.” The dragline operator got a bit carried away – creating a small, barren island in the river just outside where the Yardarm Lounge (Florida Cracker Kitchen and Monkey Bar) sits today! He built a small lighthouse on the island to spruce it up a bit, and went back to building his attraction. Included in the Homosassa Springs attraction was a group of monkeys who were brought to America by Dr. John N. Hamlet. Dr. Hamlet was a naturalist who had worked at Weeki Wachee Springs attraction before working for Furgy at his wildlife attraction. He had originally captured those monkeys for use in perfecting the polio vaccine in America. Some of those monkeys were prone to causing trouble, including escaping, stealing candy, getting into visitor cars, and biting tourists. Furgy said that he had often thought of “sending them to Alcatraz.” Now, gazing upon the new island with its lighthouse, Furgy realized he had his own little Alcatraz, and the mischievous monkeys found a new home! Photo by Robin Draper, www.authenticflorida.com The original inhabitants of Monkey Island Florida included three spider monkeys and two squirrel monkeys. Huts were constructed for them, and palm trees were planted. The monkeys continued to cause problems by eating the palm hearts and killing the trees. Fortunately, cedar trees volunteered and continue to prosper. The island became quite an attraction in Florida's Nature Coast and has become known as Monkey Island. The Monkeys of Homosassa Springs Monkey Island Florida Today, five spider monkeys live on the island: Ralph, Sassy, Ebony, Eve, and Emily. Ralph is the alpha male, Sassy is the matriarch. Ebony is the daughter of Ralph and Sassy. These three monkeys are part of the original group placed on Monkey Island by Furgy. The two original squirrel monkeys, Tiny and Tim, lived for many happy years on Monkey Island before passing away from old age in 2003 and 2005. Eve and Emily were adopted and put on the island in 2006. While it may seem that life on a small island would get dull, the monkey’s habitat is changed regularly in both large ways (such as the redesign and movement of their buildings and play areas) and small ways (such as changing the placement of their feeders on a daily basis and the grass heights and patterns on a weekly basis). In addition, visitors to the river are a constant source of entertainment for our monkey family. https://youtu.be/ure6zKzVJfY The monkeys have been under the care of the Homosassa Riverside Resort. They are fed twice a day from a menu designed specifically for them, including green leafy vegetables, bananas, oranges, sweet potatoes, raw peanuts, and monkey chow. They are also regularly examined by a qualified primate veterinarian. Because monkeys prefer not to swim, the river acts as a natural barrier. The island is therefore a perfect home for them – allowing them to play freely and watch the river activity without being overly confined or caged. Thanks to an eager dragline operator, Dr. Hamlet, our own “Furgy,” and the Homosassa Riverside Resort, Monkey Island has been a delight to visitors and local residents alike for over forty years! Visit the Monkeys of Monkey Island at Boyett's Citrus Attraction So, when the Florida Cracker Riverside Resort began renovations on Monkey Island, where were the monkeys to go? The USDA had strict guidelines for their care and the Resort's new owners were eager to upgrade their island habitat. Help, in the form of a safe, legal temporary home was available at Boyett’s Grove Citrus Attraction in Spring Lake, Florida – about 30 miles away. Jim and Kathy Oleson created a home for each primate in their “old-fashioned Florida tourist trap” and wildlife park. Boyett’s is open 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm and offers putt-putt golf, a dinosaur cave, a dyno-mite gold panning game, their wildlife park, an ice-cream parlor, a curated collection of wild animal mounts from the Fred Bear collection. Visit the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park https://youtu.be/1Kk1zlscYlQ Kate Spratt, Park Ranger, goes over the top 5 things to do at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. In the early 1900s, tourists came to Homosassa Springs to see the beautiful springs. The train would let them off near Fishbowl Drive and they would take a short walk to see the crystal-clear water of the first-magnitude Homosassa main spring, with its resident saltwater and freshwater fish. While the tourists were enjoying their walk, workers would load mullet, crabs, cedar, and spring water aboard the Mullet Train for shipment back up to the Northern states. In the 1940s, 150 acres were purchased and developed into a small tourist attraction. In 1964, the Norris Development Company bought the property. It expanded it as Homosassa Springs "Nature's Own Attraction," with an emphasis on entertainment and with a variety of exotic animals and some native species. There is a historic sign at the Fishbowl Drive entrance, where visitors still take photos with the Indian maiden who was likely part of their marketing efforts. Ivan Tors Animal Actors housed their trained animals at Homosassa Springs Attraction for several years. These animals were trained for television shows and movies. When they were not performing, they were kept at the Homosassa Springs attraction. One of the most popular of these animals was Buck who was a stand-in for Gentle Ben in the famous television series. From 1978 until 1984, the land went through several changes in ownership. The Citrus County Commission purchased the attraction in the mid-1980s to protect it as an environmentally sensitive area and operated it for visitors until the state of Florida could purchase the property as a Florida State Park. As a Florida State Park, it was deemed that only native Florida animals should be housed at Homosassa Springs, and most of the exotic animals found other homes, except Lucifer the hippopotamus. Lu, a hippopotamus, was one of the Ivan Tors animals and still resides at the park after being declared an honorary citizen of the state of Florida by then-Governor Lawton Chiles. Norris owned the attraction until 1978. He is the oldest living hippo in captivity. Every year, on Lu’s birthday, a special celebration is held with a hippo-friendly cake and singing of “Happy Birthday!” There are hundreds of volunteers at the park, and you can park at the Visitors Center on US 19 and take a tram to the park’s entrance on Fishbowl Drive or pay a few bucks and enjoy a boat ride down Pepper Creek, with narrative and wildlife viewing included. Sources: Homosassa Riverside Resort Originally published in 2010. Feature image by Robin Draper. ⑴ The Homosassa Riverside Resort was purchased and rebranded as the Florida Cracker Riverside Resort in 2022. In 2024, the resort was renamed the Monkey Island Riverside Resort. The Monkey Island renovation is complete and the resident monkeys have been returned from Boyett's Citrus Attraction in Spring Lake to their home in the middle of the Homosassa River where visitors still come and enjoy their antics today. Read the full article

[arpan-123]

Best winter fishing in florida

Some of the best winter fishing in the US is available in Florida. Anglers seeking to escape the cold and catch a variety of species frequently travel to the Keys, Tampa Bay, and Crystal River/Homosassa. The waterways of the Keys are still alive with game, including barracuda, jacks, and tarpon, and the weather is pleasant. There are chances to catch trout, redfish, flounder, and black drum in the Gulf of Mexico or on grass flats around Tampa Bay. Spring-fed waters at Crystal River/Homosassa are warm all year round, making it possible for anglers to target bass, snook, and snapper. In Florida, the best species to target in the winter are redfish, snook, Spanish mackerel, permit, tarpon, bonefish, and sailfish. For those looking for a winter fishing trip, the state is a great choice due to its varied fishing grounds and pleasant climate that persists throughout the year.

Read More :

[crystalriverfishing]

Homosassa Scallop Charter

The Crystal River and Homosassa areas of the “Nature Coast” are a true fisherman’s paradise. With over twenty different species of fish inhabiting our local waters annually, it’s no wonder why anglers travel from all over the “World” to try their luck at a fishing experience of a lifetime. All anglers no matter their experience or skill level are welcome and encouraged to share a day out on the water with Reel Florida Fishing Charters.

Homosassa Scallop Charter

[whatnext10]

The Spider Monkeys Seem Happy with Their New Home

Friends There is a small island in the middle of the Homosassa River that has been the home to some spider monkeys (Ateles spp) since the 1960s. The original group of monkeys had been imported for use in polio research, but when they were no longer needed, they went to a number of different zoos including the one that is located in Homosassa Springs, where I worked for several years before…

[tokentraders]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Famous Biker Bars Black XL Vintage Tee Shirt, 17 USA Famous Bars Cotton T Shirt.

[thisish20]

Channel Bass

Winslow Homer American 1904

In January 1904, Homer arrived in Homosassa, a village on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Declaring the fishing there “the best in America," the artist-outdoorsman also capitalized on the activity’s creative potential, as he had during previous angling expeditions in the Adirondacks and Canada. This watercolor features a channel bass, whose sparkling scales Homer likened to "a $20 gold piece." In a nod to the Homosassa River’s famously clear, shallow water, the artist surrounded the fish with layers of transparent lapis-blue wash. The luminous jewel tones belie harsher realities: the bass appears to have been "foul-hooked" (caught outside the mouth), its connection to the line precarious. Glass bottles in the river amplify the sense of human encroachment on the environment, while also providing an indication of scale.

[davidslindseystuff]

A manatee basks by Sylvie Ayer; Homosassa River in Florida, US

One of the winners in Ocean Photographer of the Year; 2023.

[paddlewiggle]

✨Ready for a wet and wild adventure?

✨Ready for a wet and wild adventure? 🐋 Kayaking with manatees in Florida is the ultimate summer experience. With crystal clear waters and abundant wildlife, the Sunshine State is the perfect place to explore! 🌴 

From Crystal River to Homosassa, check out our list of the 10 best places to kayak with manatees in Florida for an unforgettable experience. 🌊Grab your paddles and let’s go exploring! 🤩 #manatees #kayaking #Florida

[leebatkins]

Alligator snapping turtles in Homosassa River region - where’s Mario?!

The alligator snapping turtle is considered a threatened species and protected under Florida law. — Read on baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2023/07/13/alligator-snapping-turtles-discovered-in-homosassa-river-region I have so manny frog and turtle loving friends!

[naturecoaster]

Have you seen Monkey Island? It's not a game. It's not a song. It's a real island in Homosassa with monkeys! Monkey Island Florida is one of the most unique sights along Florida’s Nature Coast.  A small island in the Homosassa River, easily seen from the Homosassa Riverside Resort⑴, Monkey Island began as a solution to a sticky problem in neighboring Weeki Wachee, Florida. Thousands of people come to see Monkey Island and marvel at the antics of the monkeys who live there each year. What many people don’t know is that the island itself came to be in the Homosassa River as the result of a misunderstanding, and the monkeys were originally put on the island to keep them out of mischief. In 2022, the Lowman family purchased the Homosassa Riverside Resort and began extensive renovations. They worked with the Hensley family to rebrand the property as the Florida Cracker Riverside Resort and embarked on a huge upgrade for the monkeys of Monkey Island Florida. These well-loved simians have been relocated while their habitat is torn down and reconstructed with air-conditioned quarters, fresh water, new toys, and a monkey cam. Stay tuned for more details… Meanwhile… Here is the true story of Monkey Island in Florida G.A. “Furgy” Furgason was a major influence in the development of the Homosassa Florida area in the 1950’s and 1960’s. In fact, he was often referred to as “Mr. Homosassa,” having put together several local land deals. G.A. Furgason created the exotic plant and animal attraction that is now Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. In the 1960’s, the Norris Cattle Company sent Mr. Furgason to Africa on business. The Norris Cattle Company was a huge owner of area lands and used some of those parcels to mine for phosphate and limestone. They employed Mr. Furgason. Before “Furgy” left, he kept hearing of a pile of rocks in the middle of the Homosassa River that was causing trouble.  The rocks were submerged just enough to be unseen and near enough to the waterline to cause havoc for the river’s boaters. Furgy directed one of his dragline operators to “pile some dirt around those rocks so the boaters would see them better.” The dragline operator got a bit carried away – creating a small, barren island in the river just outside where the Yardarm Lounge (Florida Cracker Kitchen and Monkey Bar) sits today! He built a small lighthouse on the island to spruce it up a bit, and went back to building his attraction. Included in the Homosassa Springs attraction was a group of monkeys who were brought to America by Dr. John N. Hamlet. Dr. Hamlet was a naturalist who had worked at Weeki Wachee Springs attraction before working for Furgy at his wildlife attraction. He had originally captured those monkeys for use in perfecting the polio vaccine in America. Some of those monkeys were prone to causing trouble, including escaping, stealing candy, getting into visitor cars, and biting tourists. Furgy said that he had often thought of “sending them to Alcatraz.” Now, gazing upon the new island with its lighthouse, Furgy realized he had his own little Alcatraz, and the mischievous monkeys found a new home! Photo by Robin Draper, www.authenticflorida.com The original inhabitants of Monkey Island Florida included three spider monkeys and two squirrel monkeys. Huts were constructed for them, and palm trees were planted. The monkeys continued to cause problems by eating the palm hearts and killing the trees. Fortunately, cedar trees volunteered and continue to prosper. The island became quite an attraction in Florida's Nature Coast and has become known as Monkey Island. The Monkeys of Homosassa Springs Monkey Island Florida Today, five spider monkeys live on the island: Ralph, Sassy, Ebony, Eve, and Emily. Ralph is the alpha male, Sassy is the matriarch. Ebony is the daughter of Ralph and Sassy. These three monkeys are part of the original group placed on Monkey Island by Furgy. The two original squirrel monkeys, Tiny and Tim, lived for many happy years on Monkey Island before passing away from old age in 2003 and 2005. Eve and Emily were adopted and put on the island in 2006. While it may seem that life on a small island would get dull, the monkey’s habitat is changed regularly in both large ways (such as the redesign and movement of their buildings and play areas) and small ways (such as changing the placement of their feeders on a daily basis and the grass heights and patterns on a weekly basis). In addition, visitors to the river are a constant source of entertainment for our monkey family. https://youtu.be/ure6zKzVJfY The monkeys have been under the care of the Homosassa Riverside Resort. They are fed twice a day from a menu designed specifically for them, including green leafy vegetables, bananas, oranges, sweet potatoes, raw peanuts, and monkey chow. They are also regularly examined by a qualified primate veterinarian. Because monkeys prefer not to swim, the river acts as a natural barrier. The island is therefore a perfect home for them – allowing them to play freely and watch the river activity without being overly confined or caged. Thanks to an eager dragline operator, Dr. Hamlet, our own “Furgy,” and the Homosassa Riverside Resort, Monkey Island has been a delight to visitors and local residents alike for over forty years! Visit the Monkeys of Monkey Island at Boyett's Citrus Attraction So, when the Florida Cracker Riverside Resort began renovations on Monkey Island, where were the monkeys to go? The USDA had strict guidelines for their care and the Resort's new owners were eager to upgrade their island habitat. Help, in the form of a safe, legal temporary home was available at Boyett’s Grove Citrus Attraction in Spring Lake, Florida – about 30 miles away. Jim and Kathy Oleson created a home for each primate in their “old-fashioned Florida tourist trap” and wildlife park. Boyett’s is open 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm and offers putt-putt golf, a dinosaur cave, a dyno-mite gold panning game, their wildlife park, an ice-cream parlor, a curated collection of wild animal mounts from the Fred Bear collection. Visit the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park https://youtu.be/1Kk1zlscYlQ Kate Spratt, Park Ranger, goes over the top 5 things to do at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. In the early 1900s, tourists came to Homosassa Springs to see the beautiful springs. The train would let them off near Fishbowl Drive and they would take a short walk to see the crystal-clear water of the first-magnitude Homosassa main spring, with its resident saltwater and freshwater fish. While the tourists were enjoying their walk, workers would load mullet, crabs, cedar, and spring water aboard the Mullet Train for shipment back up to the Northern states. In the 1940s, 150 acres were purchased and developed into a small tourist attraction. In 1964, the Norris Development Company bought the property. It expanded it as Homosassa Springs "Nature's Own Attraction," with an emphasis on entertainment and with a variety of exotic animals and some native species. There is a historic sign at the Fishbowl Drive entrance, where visitors still take photos with the Indian maiden who was likely part of their marketing efforts. Ivan Tors Animal Actors housed their trained animals at Homosassa Springs Attraction for several years. These animals were trained for television shows and movies. When they were not performing, they were kept at the Homosassa Springs attraction. One of the most popular of these animals was Buck who was a stand-in for Gentle Ben in the famous television series. From 1978 until 1984, the land went through several changes in ownership. The Citrus County Commission purchased the attraction in the mid-1980s to protect it as an environmentally sensitive area and operated it for visitors until the state of Florida could purchase the property as a Florida State Park. As a Florida State Park, it was deemed that only native Florida animals should be housed at Homosassa Springs, and most of the exotic animals found other homes, except Lucifer the hippopotamus. Lu, a hippopotamus, was one of the Ivan Tors animals and still resides at the park after being declared an honorary citizen of the state of Florida by then-Governor Lawton Chiles. Norris owned the attraction until 1978. He is the oldest living hippo in captivity. Every year, on Lu’s birthday, a special celebration is held with a hippo-friendly cake and singing of “Happy Birthday!” There are hundreds of volunteers at the park, and you can park at the Visitors Center on US 19 and take a tram to the park’s entrance on Fishbowl Drive or pay a few bucks and enjoy a boat ride down Pepper Creek, with narrative and wildlife viewing included. Sources: Homosassa Riverside Resort Originally published in 2010. Feature image by Robin Draper. ⑴ The Homosassa Riverside Resort was purchased and rebranded as the Florida Cracker Riverside Resort in 2022. In 2024, the resort was renamed the Monkey Island Riverside Resort. The Monkey Island renovation is complete and the resident monkeys have been returned from Boyett's Citrus Attraction in Spring Lake to their home in the middle of the Homosassa River where visitors still come and enjoy their antics today. Read the full article

[crystalriverfishing98]

Crystal River charter boat

The Crystal River and Homosassa areas of the “Nature Coast” are a true fisherman’s paradise. With over twenty different species of fish inhabiting our local waters annually, it’s no wonder why anglers travel from all over the “World” to try their luck at a fishing experience of a lifetime. 

 Crystal River charter boat