🌿 Wild Encounters & Warm Connections: A Week on the Sun Coast
Published about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Volume 3, Issue 4 • February 5, 2025
Greetings from the Sun Coast!
What a difference a week makes. Just days ago, I was surrounded by a blanket of snow in the panhandle—now, I’m basking in the golden warmth of central Florida, where the afternoons hover in the 70s and 80s. Phil may have seen his shadow, but Allie the Alligator did not!
Our campground is located near Wildwood, a charming small town about an hour from Daytona in one direction and Tampa in the other. Spanish moss drapes over ancient oak trees, and the scent of citrus lingers in the breeze. With several state parks nearby, it’s the perfect place to explore nature—and I’ve arrived just in time for birding season! I’ve spotted Sandhill Cranes wading through ponds and heard the owls calling to each other in the trees surrounding our campground. I can’t wait to see what other feathered visitors this season will bring!
“Nature is the purest portal to inner peace.”
– Angie Weiland Crosby
Foggy morning at the campground
Wildwood, FL
This week, we are camped at Three Flags Campground in Wildwood, FL. As usual, we are about 30 minutes from anywhere, but the rides are so scenic that it doesn't matter. Have I mentioned how much I love the Spanish moss in the trees? They arch over the roads and create these natural tunnels that are just fantastic!
Great day for a ride!
We found a great breakfast spot about 30 minutes from the campground (conveniently near the gym!) called Darryl’s. According to our server, it’s a local chain with 16 restaurants in the tri-county area. The food was solid, but, as with any mom-and-pop place, the real charm lies in the people who gather there.
When we arrived on Sunday, the place was packed. The scent of fresh coffee filled the air, mingling with the sweet aroma of pancakes sizzling on the griddle. Conversations buzzed around us—locals swapping stories over steaming mugs, the occasional burst of laughter rising above the hum. Expecting a wait, we found a spot out of the way and settled in. Within minutes, a friendly couple offered to separate their two small tables to make room for us. Of course, we jumped at the opportunity—getting food sooner was a plus, but the real win was making new friends!
Tom and Tracy, visiting from upstate New York, were spending a few weeks here to escape the cold. As we enjoyed a delicious breakfast of eggs and blueberry pancakes—second only to the ones at Sylvia’s in Maine—they shared great travel tips for when we head north this summer. One spot on their list, Letchworth State Park, is home to stunning waterfalls and dramatic cliffs, often called the “Grand Canyon of New York.” It’s a bit of a detour, but since it’s close to Niagara Falls, I think I can convince Jody it’s an adventure worth taking!
Exploring Daytona Beach
Getting the overview of the new bike!
RV Life
RV life is always an adventure for us! This past week, we traded in Ron Burgundy (our motorcycle) for a younger version. I personally love the upgraded features like the infotainment system, but the ultimate goal is to have a reliable means of transportation to explore interesting locations. We bought it from a dealer, which was a good thing because we discovered an issue with the clutch after a quick trip to see Daytona Beach before heading back. Luckily, they are handling any repairs that need to be made, so we should be fine. She/he has yet to be named, so send me some suggestions!
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
After our delicious breakfast, we changed our plans for the day and decided to check out the manatees—thanks to Tom and Tracy for the tip! There are several places to see them, but we chose Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, a sanctuary for animals that can’t survive in the wild due to injury, illness, or human interference.
One of the most heartbreaking cases was a pair of bobcats that had been kept as pets and declawed, making it impossible for them to hunt or defend themselves. Seeing them in their enclosure, I felt a deep sadness—and frustration toward people who treat wild animals as possessions rather than the incredible creatures they are.
Bobcat enjoying a restful day
The park’s one-mile boardwalk led us through lush habitats filled with fascinating wildlife. We lingered at the bird exhibits, watching owls, Roseate Spoonbills, and Egrets. I got some great practice with the AI subject detection features of my camera. The ability to find the eye and focus is amazing!
One of the coolest finds at the park was Lu, the oldest living hippopotamus in North America! Lu came to the park in 1964 as an animal actor. Fun fact - In 1989, when the Florida Park Service took over the park and planned to relocate non-native species, the local community rallied to keep Lu. Their efforts led to Lu being granted honorary Florida citizenship by the Governor, allowing him to remain in his longtime home.
Lu is living his best life!
Near the end of the trail, we reached the manatee viewing area, a peaceful lagoon where these gentle giants often gather. Unfortunately, most were off exploring, but we spotted a couple gliding through the water.
Photographing nature and wildlife requires patience and adaptability. If one subject isn't working, shift to another. I wanted to photograph the manatees but finding so many other interesting subjects eased the disappointment. Remember to include the animals eye(s) in the image to create a strong emotional connection between the subject and the viewer. Sharp, well-lit eyes add depth, personality, and a sense of life to the image. Even if the rest of the animal is slightly out of focus, capturing the eyes sharply can make the entire photo feel more engaging and impactful.
Featured Photo of the Week
Florida's iconic bird, the flamingo!
One of my photo goals for Florida is the flamingo. I want to find them out in the wild, but I enjoyed seeing them at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and watching their behaviors. I love the way this guy/gal was resting its head but still keeping an eye out. I only took my 12-100 lens, so I cropped in closer to make the flamingo more prominent, especially the eye.
What's Next?
Next on the travel plan is a couple of dry camping weeks with - hopefully - excellent wildlife photo opportunities, especially birds! I am also excited to see some alligators (at a distance, of course)! It will be nice to get away from the crowded campground for just a bit, but I suspect I will be just as happy when we get to the next one because I'm a fan of hot showers, lol.
As always, thanks for joining me on this adventure! If you enjoyed this week's newsletter, feel free to share it with friends who love travel and photography. Safe travels until next time!
