Rainbow Springs

Old post. (Accidentally re-published 8/27/2024) LOL

Encompassing miles of crystal-clear water, the Rainbow River has a lot to offer. From kayaking to boating to hiking, there are countless ways to look for wildlife. First off, you'll find the entire river aligned with magnificent cypress trees. These trees provide shelter for Anhingas, Cormorants, and Barred Owls to name a few.

Wood Ducks can be found all along the river, as conservation efforts have installed nesting boxes to protect the species.
Otters are also a common occurrence, and Rainbow Springs is the only place I've ever been able to see them.

My favorite all-time turtle can be found just beneath the surface. Growing to just around the size of your hand, the Loggerhead Musk Turtle is a precious inhabitant of the springs.

Snakes such as this Banded Watersnake are also a common occurrence.

Alligators are much rarer on the main part of the river. The individuals that live there though are smart. Because the springs can be full of tourists, they only hunt during the early morning and late evening and are hidden the rest of the day. But you can spot them off to the side of the river and on nearby hiking trails if you really try to look for them. The Withlacoochee River, which the Rainbow empties into, is much less crowded and the water is much murkier. This is the best spot to find gators such as these ones:


Endemics-wise, the springs offer quite a few:
The Strap-leaf Sagittaria is endemic to springs in N Florida

The Florida Yellowcress is typically found in hard-to-reach parts of Florida and can be found at the surface of the Rainbow River.

The Springs are a great spot to find birds. Swallow-tailed & Mississippi Kites, Limpkins, Barred Owls, Pied-billed Grebes, and Parulas are some of its residents.





Underwater, looking at fish is usually how I spend most my time.
Redbreast Sunfish

American Gizzard Shad

Longnose Gar

Thanks for reading.

Publicado el agosto 27, 2024 06:15 TARDE por gatorhawk gatorhawk

Comentarios

Great photos! I especially enjoy the perspective on the Loggerhead Musk Turtle.

Publicado por wildmoss hace casi 2 años

Thanks, they're my favorite turtles!

Publicado por gatorhawk hace casi 2 años

Hi, I love your pics. My favorite is pics of fish. Have you shared more pictures over here? If yes, can you share the link?

Publicado por kennethwalsh99 hace alrededor de 1 año

Rainbow Springs is a wonderful place to explore the natural beauty of North/Central Florida. The diverse wildlife, clear waters, and unique endemics make it a perfect spot for nature enthusiasts. Your photographic journey captures the essence of this amazing location.

Publicado por dessierohan hace 11 meses

Thanks gatorhawk for the excellent visual and descriptive tour! We visited Florida for the first time in Dec 2019, and spent about 2 weeks camping at around 6 different state parks as well as at Fort De Soto and at Juniper Springs (Ocala NF). I look forward to returning to explore new areas and will add Rainbow Springs to the list of places to stay.

Publicado por jason_miller hace alrededor de 1 mes

Thanks Jason! That reminds me, I have a lot of catching up to do with my journals!

Publicado por gatorhawk hace alrededor de 1 mes

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