Forest Bling at the Springs (for Randy)

Insect life is a wonder to watch. Here are some images I captured while we were in Florida. We saw several of these beautiful, jewel-like beetles, that are over an inch long. There are dragon & damsel flies of all colors & sizes. There are gorgeous butterflies & moths arrayed in an amazing variety of textures & tones. Multi-colored banana spiders harmlessly adorn the forest with their beautiful webs.






















I was able to capture images of both male & female cow-killers. Here is a male. They are hard to shoot as they are so fast.

A Few Favorites of Mine

Small Wonders at the Springs

There is an endless array of small wonders at the springs,if one looks closely.



Different types of lizards, toads, turtles & fish abound. Mullets, well over a foot long, swim up into the springs. There also bluegill & bass, to name a few. When the water is clear of people, the fish are even more numerous. The water in this image is 4+ feet deep.(Does that give you an idea of how clear it is?) I shot it using a "behind glass" setting.


London caught one of the biggest grasshoppers I have ever seen. He carried it to a spring & threw it to the fish. We watched as it raced away from a school of fish & climbed atop the water grasses. It then made it to the safety of a nearby tree. We all high-fived for the survival of the fastest!

Watching at Ginnie

We set up camp on the forest side as this provides the best chance to spy wildlife. Early one morning, I saw an armadillo cruise the inner edges of our site,resembling an armored opossum. This is quite a treat as they are reclusive & shy. A worker told me they carry a "high incidence of leprosy". Each afternoon, we would watch a black-shouldered kite. Red & black-headed turkey vultures abound, as well as crows & songbirds. The sounds of pileated woodpeckers, hawks, & wrens reminded us of home.


One morning, I went hunting & spied a couple of wild turkey hens. They had young ones hidden in grass under a tangle of twigs. At a distance, I saw a brown movement~ it was a doe. We watched each other for a time. When she finally spooked, I saw that she, too had a young one. Once, at twilight a "silver fox" (we call them "grey"), skirt our site some 30-40 feet away from our quiet, little group.


Night in Ginnie Springs is amazing!!! The stars are vivid, clear and numberless. Each night, we listened to owls calling back & forth. From our camp, the cicada chorus dominated the singing frogs. Nearer the water, it was the other way around. Our last night, we were able to hear the call of coyotes in the night.

Folks drifting on the river told us of seeing a small gator on the far bank. Others saw a river otter. A manatee came up into the Devil's Spring area while we were at another spring. These are on my "must-see-list" for our next journey there !!!

Spiritual Springs

I took a much needed spiritual retreat with my family and went camping in north, central Florida. In 102 degrees with high humidity, we set up camp in the forest. Pouring with sweat,I climbed into the tent to don my swimsuit, and found myself wondering why I had returned. Slipping into the 72 degree fresh, water I instantly recalled the lure of the centuries old springs.

This is the first view that I had that evening. It is also the last view I had each night before turning in. It is Lil' Devil's Spring, 45' deep, and too narrow for a diver's tank. The water is crystal clear. All manner of fish large and small,come to nibble my toes and see if I have brought them treats. Looking up the channel, towards the Santa Fe River, there are 2 more springs.


Above, is The Devil's Eye, some 25' down to the cave entrance. Surrounded by cyprus trees, that drip with Spanish moss, these springs bubble up and run off into the river. Descending the steps, one cannot discern where the crystal clear water will begin. Just off of those steps, the water is well over an adult's head,though it appears only inches deep.


We made camp on the forest side, between Devil's and Ginnie Springs.Pictures do not do the springs any sort of justice, nor does standing beside them. This is my husband, who is over 6'tall. He is about to swim over the cavern entrance to Ginnie. An adult cannot stand up where he is. The water is so clear, it is hard to imagine the depth. I believe the entrance to Ginnie is about 45'deep. I do not dive, and snorkelling is very uncomfortable for me, but I was constantly in and out of the cool, spring waters. My time was spent drawing, meeting people, as well as in praise & worship. It was refreshing for my spirit to get away and enjoy more of the amazing gifts that our heavenly Father has provided. I accomplished some GREAT watching, too. I will share on that later.

Ginnie Springs, Fla

Santa Fe River



Ginnie Springs cavern entrance



Devil's Eye cave entrance




Lil' Devil's Spring