Florida’s BEST WILDLIFE Roadside Attraction - HOMOSASSA SPRINGS State Park - BEARS & BIG ALLIGATORS

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  • Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
  • On this episode of Florida Roadside Attractions we visit Ellie Schiller’s Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in Citrus County, Florida.
    ‪@CristheGirl‬
    #oldflorida

Комментарии • 167

  • @TampaJay
    @TampaJay  2 года назад +22

    Cris The Girl RUclips.com/c/CrisTheGirl

    • @motoshep
      @motoshep 2 года назад +1

      Very nice I've heard of that place so many times living here all my life but now I've got to plan to make a trip over there. I live near Vero Beach. Thank you for sharing Florida with us 😎🐊

    • @23buzzchopper
      @23buzzchopper 2 года назад +1

      Did you pay your Sillaway tax?

    • @norafox4789
      @norafox4789 2 года назад

      Go see before it is destroyed by MAN!!!

    • @setevamarie836
      @setevamarie836 2 года назад +1

      I love hipos ❤

  • @BuraBax
    @BuraBax 2 года назад +1

    Very beautiful sunny day, wonderfull place 👍

  • @CristheGirl
    @CristheGirl 2 года назад +14

    Excited to watch! It was an awesome day!!❤️❤️❤️

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад +2

      Always the best of times with you, always! Let’s hit the road, another adventure today

    • @richardscott5155
      @richardscott5155 2 года назад +4

      Just subscribed

  • @kencarnley7101
    @kencarnley7101 2 года назад +1

    I was born and raised n Jacksonville. This is my favorite part of Florida.

  • @davidgarrett6951
    @davidgarrett6951 2 года назад +5

    Thanks to you Jay any time I see a flamingo now I sing your flamingo song.

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад +4

      FlaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhMmmmmmmmmmiiiiiiiiiGggggggggggOooooooooooooHhhhhhhh!!

  • @danblekeberg2470
    @danblekeberg2470 2 года назад +4

    It is refreshing to see how well two people get along.

  • @sandypetro8907
    @sandypetro8907 2 года назад +1

    This is cool. Love the beautiful Flamiiingooos. But I say Nope to the reptile s display. Not a fan of them. Lots of great info. Thank you so much. I learn a lot from these videos. Looking fwd to see what you have in store for us. 💕

  • @jameshudson5022
    @jameshudson5022 2 года назад +1

    Outstanding

  • @dalejensen5828
    @dalejensen5828 2 года назад +3

    Cris the Girl rocks.

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад +1

      She sure does !

  • @zakkmon123
    @zakkmon123 2 года назад +1

    Thanks for sharing 🤙🏻☀️👍🏻!

  • @BougieStripper
    @BougieStripper 2 года назад +1

    this was cute thanks for showing!

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад

      Thanks for joining us Dawn

  • @diane1390
    @diane1390 7 месяцев назад +1

    If you saw the flamingos at the Chaffee Zoo you'd be so thrilled. I love the Aviary at that particular zoo.

  • @richardkrueger9097
    @richardkrueger9097 Год назад +1

    I live here, their is so much to do here. It's the Nature coast. Lived a lot of places all over the US, this is by far the best....Panthers, hogs, deer, alligators, and the best sport fishing anywhere.

  • @ivonnezaragoza9936
    @ivonnezaragoza9936 Год назад +1

    Thanks 👍 for your time and explanation of our beautiful Florida ❤

  • @FollowThomas
    @FollowThomas 2 года назад +1

    I still haven't been there but hopefully very soon. Thanks 👍

  • @karlaruter3221
    @karlaruter3221 2 года назад +1

    I was raised there and it was beautiful!

  • @tijuanachaplin313
    @tijuanachaplin313 Год назад +1

    Been to this place years ago.Very pretty! Thanks for the video.

  • @naybur74
    @naybur74 2 года назад +27

    it is a shame parts of old Florida being "ERASED FROM EXSISTANCE"...due to progress, amazing places like these show us of those times remembered.

    • @wardrobelion
      @wardrobelion 2 года назад +4

      Being a Floridian myself, I am pained by what I see. They paved paradise and put up condos and shopping

    • @danceswithpaperhands6221
      @danceswithpaperhands6221 2 года назад +4

      Should have kept the yanks above West VA lol

    • @karentucker2161
      @karentucker2161 2 года назад +2

      Yep

    • @thepamela050
      @thepamela050 Год назад +1

      @@danceswithpaperhands6221 it's hard when Yanks consider Florida their promiseland...These folks don't know what visit/vacation means they took that as move the hell in.

  • @buckeyeguy82
    @buckeyeguy82 2 года назад +6

    Birds, Gators, Manatee, Bears & Flamingos oh my. Cool vlog Jay & Cris!!

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад +2

      Thanks Tim this place has it all

  • @creepsmcdamned
    @creepsmcdamned 2 года назад

    Ooooo! This place is FANTASTIC!!

  • @RyanNodal305
    @RyanNodal305 2 года назад +4

    It was because of you that I visited that place the next day after watching your first vlog there. I enjoyed it

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад +1

      It’s a great place man glad you made it out there

  • @dustinplemmons
    @dustinplemmons 2 года назад +3

    Ya'll really crack me up with the cheesy jokes. LOL

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад +1

      I’m a cheesy guy haha

  • @theresabauknight3218
    @theresabauknight3218 2 года назад +1

    I love in Oklahoma now.
    And this video brought back memories, for I was raised in Homosassa Florida. on Yulee drive. Me and my sister went there every weekend.

    • @theresabauknight3218
      @theresabauknight3218 2 года назад +1

      A lot has changed since I was there.
      It doesn't look the same, there was no boardwalk. We got to walk with the deer, and birds and squirrels.
      There was no reptile display room. All dangerous animal was in cages.
      There was 3 monkey name freckles, tiny and Cindy and also a leopard.
      Thank for sharing this.

  • @debbieparker5377
    @debbieparker5377 2 года назад +2

    I have had so many white tailed deer run right in front of me both up in the Philly area when I lived there in the 90s and here in Florida, one was so close I screamed I thought I was going to hit it.

  • @nicholasmardis9846
    @nicholasmardis9846 2 года назад +2

    Love seeing all the animals ,Tampa Jay An Kris The Girl.

  • @Rossturnerphoto
    @Rossturnerphoto 2 года назад +5

    that’s an awesome park. The Homosassa and Crystal River area is one of my favorite places to visit, and it holds special memories for me and my wife too. I’m glad you and Cris had an enjoyable time and I enjoyed watching the video.

  • @tonijackson9678
    @tonijackson9678 2 года назад +4

    Loved this video tour. My family and I recently moved to Homosassa and we have not visited any of the parks yet. This video served as a reminder that we really need to get out and explore our new home area!! You did such a nice job showcasing the park and the beautiful nature around us!!👏🏾

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад

      Thank you so much Toni!! I appreciate you coming along and it’s so awesome to hear you enjoyed living vicariously thru the video. I hope you’re able to get out soon and go on your own adventure. There are a lot of beautiful areas and fun things to do in that neck of the woods.

  • @MoviemaniaNick
    @MoviemaniaNick 2 года назад +2

    Fun vlog Jay! You and your Flamingoes, I think it is funny how you sound like Adam Sandler when you say it. Of course from the film. lol

  • @staceymay2655
    @staceymay2655 2 года назад +2

    Sweet vlog guys, lovyavids, Jay, put a ring on that woman! Peacetooya

  • @markdraskovics1962
    @markdraskovics1962 2 года назад +2

    HEY, TAMPA JAY & CRIS THE GIRL Well That's so cool I like Seeing all kinds of Wildlife and enjoy The
    Plants also OK GUY'S Take care stay safe God bless and will see you on the next awesome video

  • @rickmiller7547
    @rickmiller7547 2 года назад +6

    Thanks for the memories. I visited the Fish Bowl and rest of the park in the mid 80’s. There wasn’t much to see back then but the boat ride and seeing the manatees was great. I also swam with manatees while scuba diving in Crystal River. Very cool.

  • @joelfeiock4718
    @joelfeiock4718 2 года назад +1

    the florid panther is beautiful

  • @davehitt
    @davehitt 2 года назад +2

    Awesome fun video! Thursday I went to a lake and saw a dozen Eagles!

  • @jennymodgoddess
    @jennymodgoddess 2 года назад +3

    Hi Tampa Jay! 🙋 Loved seeing all the animals. Awesome video.

  • @chrismartin2123
    @chrismartin2123 2 года назад

    Wow! I clicked on immediately when i saw the homosassa springs sign..i have a pic of myself in front of that sign from when i was 6 yrs old.I'm now the same age as lou the hippo ..62 .i was a new yorker visiting my grandparents in fl and they brought us there..great video .made me want to revisit also made me smile at the old references to tootsie pop..yogi the bear and adam the woo(subscribor) its good to see this place is still open..thanks for the revisit many many years later..look forward to more..we also went to tarpon springs and weeki wachi ( no disney.thou since it didnt even exist back then..thanks i really enjoyed this!! Subscribed

  • @spookerredmenace3950
    @spookerredmenace3950 2 года назад

    Gattorland is also an awesome location! great video my dude

  • @charlesjanssens6770
    @charlesjanssens6770 2 года назад +2

    My greetings to you two, this was a verry nice adventure trip to follow with you. Thanck you!! I Adore you two

  • @marilouk9647
    @marilouk9647 2 года назад +4

    Watching this laughing out loud!!!
    "... okay, there is no sign for deer splattering, but there should be!" 😂😂😂😂😂 Love you both! You are such a sweet and funny couple!
    ....you are flora and I am fauna.... 💞😊

  • @merry524
    @merry524 2 года назад +5

    Thank you for reminding us of this hidden gem! We are going to be visiting Tarpon Springs in July and have now added a visit here too!

  • @floridacycling4842
    @floridacycling4842 2 года назад +9

    We're in Spring Hill and this place (along with Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River) are where we always take visitors and house guests. We love that you can pretty much always show someone a manatee here, even if they are only in the rescue facility.

    • @returnofthemac2951
      @returnofthemac2951 2 года назад +1

      Sometimes you can see the manatees right in Linda Peterson Park in Spring Hill or in nearby Bayport. I have seen dolphin at Bayport as well.

  • @richardscott5155
    @richardscott5155 2 года назад +5

    Wow, flash back commercial tootsie pop funny good times

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад +2

      I love that old commercial

  • @rmartin2819
    @rmartin2819 2 года назад +2

    “No Ying Yang twins at the WEDDING?!!” 😂👰🏻‍♀️💍 Loved that you slipped that in there! ❤️😉

  • @MikeRuh01
    @MikeRuh01 2 года назад +2

    Love the hippos. Thanks for the tour TJ

  • @bksavs
    @bksavs 2 года назад

    First time I've watched your channel, but as I was working and listening, I thought it was Adam the Woo talking. :)

  • @birdnest5814
    @birdnest5814 2 года назад +2

    Lovely place. Thanks for taking us along 😊👍💕

  • @cynthiaabbott1945
    @cynthiaabbott1945 2 года назад +3

    I'm sorry you had crappy weather in Chicago. It was 80 here yesterday! I know you've been to Chicago many times. I hope you've experienced some nice and warm weather too. Great vid. Chris the Girl is so pretty and sweet. ♥️🐊🌴

  • @musicpunk5
    @musicpunk5 2 года назад +2

    When she does your outro for you, you know she's a keeper.

  • @debbieparker5377
    @debbieparker5377 2 года назад

    Great vlog.

  • @shannonjefferson874
    @shannonjefferson874 2 года назад +3

    Thanks again jay for the good vids keep them coming

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад

      Thank you Shannon happy to hear you enjoyed it

  • @supremepartydude
    @supremepartydude 2 года назад

    I have been a Pasco county resident of 16 years and I would agree about your choice Florida attractions

  • @ReachTheMassesLakeland
    @ReachTheMassesLakeland 2 года назад

    Great video

  • @michaelgriffith6410
    @michaelgriffith6410 2 года назад +1

    Another great vid with the mrs! Woulda loved chicago yeaterday bud. Damn near perfect for a wrigley field trip

  • @dianeadams353
    @dianeadams353 2 года назад +3

    Okay, she missed the “w” word the first time, but I bet she catches it on the replay! I loved this video ❤️

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад

      Thank you so much Diane

  • @deegonzalez6492
    @deegonzalez6492 2 года назад +2

    Nice video

  • @markimoofan1239
    @markimoofan1239 2 года назад +4

    Such a fun and relaxing video ^_^ that place looks amazing totally on bucket list if i ever visit FL

    • @karentucker2161
      @karentucker2161 2 года назад +1

      I was just waiting for him to say it when they first mentioned the turtle lol 😆

  • @johnroot4886
    @johnroot4886 2 года назад +1

    Awesome video Jay and Cris, love seeing what old Florida looked like, hope you guys had a great weekend and thanks for the cool videos, stay safe my friend

  • @donnytucker
    @donnytucker 2 года назад

    Great place. Same as weeki wachee and rainbow river.

  • @elizabethsmith38
    @elizabethsmith38 4 месяца назад

    This was very enjoyable.

  • @garfixit
    @garfixit 2 года назад +2

    Love you guys

  • @GeorgedownunderAustralia
    @GeorgedownunderAustralia 2 года назад +1

    Hey MR Jay 👋what a adventure that was brilliant stuff guys from the beginning I started watching your videos you never disappoint at all 👊 I have a health issue lately 😔 but watching yours and cris tours gives me a good smile and laugh 😃 anyway bro good to check out your new adventure around Florida
    Take care
    Peace ✌️ down under 🇦🇺🇦🇺👋

  • @Corgis175
    @Corgis175 2 года назад

    Great place and definitely a good value for $13.

  • @fairedelapeche1300
    @fairedelapeche1300 2 года назад

    Worked and lived in the Homosassa Springs zoo/park back in early 1980s before it was a state park. "Lu", the hippopotamus, real name is "propeller butt". Construction was taking place around his enclosure and he swallowed a cement block. We thought he was dead for sure. No surgery. He passed it through. Staff had strict orders not to land on "Monkey island" The last staff member who tried had his arm removed by the troop. There use to be a private zoo inside the park but not open to the public where circus animals would be temporarily housed. The movie star bear, Gentle Ben, escaped once and the only way to get him back was to tempt him with an ice cream cone. We use to do 2am security checks on the deer. "Hunters" use to break in the zoo via the river and would attempt to "bag" one of our deers. We cleaned the Fish bowl windows wearing dive gear. Below the fish bowl is a collapse railroad track and the remains of First Nation artifacts that can be found in submerged caves. During that time period, it was a fight with management to move the animals from metal cages to enclosed natural habitats. We built the enclosures on our "days off" with no pay, using anything we could find in the swamp. It was the public's pleased response to the natural habitats that forced management to get on board so thank you.

  • @Bejennuine
    @Bejennuine 2 года назад

    I live in the TB area. This is so cool, my family definitely will be checking it out. Enjoy both you and #CrisTheGirl I love plants and flowers too. Her vlogs are so fun for me.

  • @myoutube1327
    @myoutube1327 2 года назад

    Rainbow River in Dunnellon Florida is also a great place to experience old Florida. State Park plus KP HOLE kayak launch and Withlacoocee river.

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад +1

      Love rainbow River!!

  • @lindakloran3247
    @lindakloran3247 5 месяцев назад

    I love this place and it's local. Haven't been in a while, must go back when it gets cooler.

  • @ramrack6301
    @ramrack6301 Год назад

    All the dad jokes without the kids 😁

  • @OffRampAdventures
    @OffRampAdventures 2 года назад

    Thought we'd heard of all the great spots in Florida...Very nice!

  • @POV18
    @POV18 2 года назад

    I love how both Cris and your videos are of the same places but we get to see so many different things as well (if that made sense) haha im just now catching up to all of your videos. You pump them videos out like nothing haha great job Jay and Cris!!

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад +1

      Thanks Krystal you’re so awesome!

  • @NOLADEEJ
    @NOLADEEJ 2 года назад +3

    Can’t go wrong with bears and big alligators!

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад +1

      Sure Can’t buddy beautiful stuff

  • @TALL1FU49
    @TALL1FU49 2 года назад

    Now you need to drive south to the weekiwachi river and rent a boat and go up the river and see all the wildlife. Manatees and otters plus all the fish. And the clear water. Pack a picnic lunch and beach yourself on one of the several beaches. Very small beaches.

  • @Thatonecouplewhowalks
    @Thatonecouplewhowalks 2 года назад

    Cool

  • @jamesweaver6212
    @jamesweaver6212 2 года назад

    I remember when Elvis was there in the 60's when they making fallow that dream,, he learned how to suba dive in kings bay, and stayed at the port paradise ,, it was a privately owned park back then,, I heard they don't feed the Gators anymore or have any wildlife shows,

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад

      I spent a weekend tracking down all the locations of where Elvis visited while filming follow that dream. I was thinking of them that day I can’t believe I didn’t even mention it.

  • @anthonygambitta6220
    @anthonygambitta6220 2 года назад

    Living near Ocala, I might want to make a trip soon (about 1.5 hours drive from me.) Looks like a fun place.

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад

      That’s not a bad drive at all I used to live in Ocala myself

  • @dennisud
    @dennisud 2 года назад

    There are 2 Osprey pairs that summer at our Place. We see them fishing all the time. Nice to see this place again!

  • @donnamcduffie8457
    @donnamcduffie8457 2 года назад

    Thanks for this! Visited 20+ yrs ago, glad it's still there. Your shirt says Sunken Gardens.. are they still there?!!! I loved that place, been a long time. Hoped they'd survived!

  • @FloridaandBeyond
    @FloridaandBeyond 2 года назад

    The last time we were there the boat was closed. The fish bowl was closed too. Lou will hit you from the other side where there is no sign 😳 lol. She likes snakes but not frogs 😂. I was just telling Cris on Instagram that you can swim near the manatees just outside the park near the manatee sanctuary where the boaters were located. We had a lot of fun kayaking there a few months ago and swimming near them. Great video and Park!

  • @minutemark
    @minutemark 2 года назад +3

    Oh The Huge Manatee!

  • @fedupamerican296
    @fedupamerican296 2 года назад +1

    Back in the day there was a 2 headed turtle in a big aquarium at the welcome center. Very cool.
    I though they kept its remains in a case. I will have to check next time I am there.

  • @floridacracker_
    @floridacracker_ 2 года назад

    Cool place, I live a quarter mile from it..

  • @angelooldman7201
    @angelooldman7201 2 года назад

    oh, yea , is very preety , but very few people can aford to go there any more,i went there a few years back ,and i said to my wife we will be coming here every year and the next year we went and we could not go in because of the price raise, enjoy it who ever can aford it. GOD bless.

  • @rushdowning6916
    @rushdowning6916 2 года назад

    funny thing my cousin just lives up the street from there which i was up that way earlier but last time i was at the park was middle school

  • @JimmyG3237
    @JimmyG3237 2 года назад +2

    Thanks for sharing, my wife and I would definitely like to visit here. Heyy, have you guys ever been to the Sponge Docks down in Tarpon Springs? We love that place! 😊

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад +2

      Thank you so much, Yes vlogged Tarpon several times it’s one of my favorite places, been going there with my family for 30 years,

    • @JimmyG3237
      @JimmyG3237 2 года назад

      @@TampaJay ohhh AWESOME!!!! I'll have to look back at your videos and find those! My wife and I need to get back to Tarpon soon for a visit. I lived there for about a year in my teenage years. My family is in Port Richey now.

  • @robhamilton8993
    @robhamilton8993 2 года назад

    If you ant to see a real Old Florida Roadside attraction go to Palmdale Florida and go to Gatorama. In August sometime do the Hatching Festival and you get to hatch baby gators from the egg in your hand. And the other great experience is feeding a gator out in the open on land about 4 feet from its mouth. The handlers are near you and also about 10 other gators in the water about 20 feet away. It is amazing. And staff and owners are amazing.

  • @eerieauthor
    @eerieauthor 2 года назад

    We did a south Florida trip that you and Cris will love. Started with the classic Coral Castle. Then a great place called "Robert is here!" with an epic petting zoo. Finally we hit Everglades Outpost where you can swim with alligators! Crazy awesome place.

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад

      We need to check those spots out thanks mark my buddy l!

  • @melanielinkous8746
    @melanielinkous8746 2 года назад

    I live in Citrus County. About 15 mins from the wildlife park.

  • @pauljamieson333
    @pauljamieson333 2 года назад +2

    👍👍

  • @averycollett5121
    @averycollett5121 2 года назад

    Great place I live there

    • @TampaJay
      @TampaJay  2 года назад

      You live in a great place

  • @drrobertdawson1899
    @drrobertdawson1899 2 года назад +1

    I Remember Back Before It was a State Park And They Had All The Blonde Handed Spider monkeys About a Hundred Of Them In a huge Metal Cage That was Beautiful made of Twisted Steel Bars, It Was Beyond KOOL. Back Then They Had A Lot More Animals And Less Guests......Back then I Lived Local and The Park Was My Favorite Place To Visit And My Wife And I Almost Bought The Park Just Before The STATE Bought It. I Missed Out On That DEAL......

  • @Luv2tickt
    @Luv2tickt 2 года назад +1

    TJ: So no Ying Yang Twins at "our" wedding!"
    Cris the Girl: What?
    TJ: What? 😅

  • @michaelgriffith6410
    @michaelgriffith6410 2 года назад +1

    U headed to any rays games in the future sir? Im headed down july 29th 30th games against the guardians

  • @totalvamp792
    @totalvamp792 2 года назад

    I watched the movie Birds today.

  • @cindypowel7517
    @cindypowel7517 2 года назад

    Did you both bring your swim trunks?!🐊🐸🦎🐢

  • @brucewayne33497
    @brucewayne33497 2 года назад

    Oh yeah little fun fact about foxes they can believe it or not emit smells similar to a skunk i never knew this before until one summer me & my dad & my brother went to Bays Mountain located in Kingsport Tennessee & me & my dad read a sign that had that info about foxes

  • @tonistacy3483
    @tonistacy3483 2 года назад +1

    Alligators can climb chain link fence. Scary that the fence in your video isn't very high 😯

  • @christheflex3184
    @christheflex3184 2 года назад +2

    I saw Tampa Bay Jay at a jewelry store not sure what he was doing LOL

  • @therocket_reviews
    @therocket_reviews 2 года назад

    Jay your hair is getting owly! haha

  • @joelfeiock4718
    @joelfeiock4718 2 года назад

    where do the animals come from for this park. Up in Big Bear Calfironia there is a zoo where they take in abandoned/injured animals for exhibit.

  • @thatguyinaband6341
    @thatguyinaband6341 6 месяцев назад

    Frogs are good luck!

  • @booduh23
    @booduh23 2 года назад

    Ok Jay I can't stop laughing at the kid correcting you about the "Florida" Black Bear and then just pointing out you have a ant on you. I love that you said oh thanks....UHH then cut the rest out... what happen were you attacked by ants?? Did the kid just stand there watching and did nothing??? :)

  • @brucewayne33497
    @brucewayne33497 2 года назад

    Whenever i see or hear about Manatees i feel really bad for them because of where they sometimes get hit by the boat motors & get either severely injured or they can come out with just a few scrapes & scratches