Juniper Springs

Ocala National Forest has several campgrounds within it. Last year we stayed at Big Bass Lake. This time we’re at Juniper Springs. The campgrounds don’t have any water or electricity, but this one has hot showers. Plus, there are springs here.

The water comes out in places called “boils”. Here’s a quick movie of the biggest one. They say the daily water flow from the springs in this particular park is 13,000,000 gallons.

The springs put out so much clear water they’ve make a pool for people to swim in. During a hot summer, the 72 F year-round spring would be great. Right now it’s a bit chilly. Years ago, the water flow was used to make electricity. Now the mill and wheel just looks pretty.

  

There are a lot of warnings about bears. I heard a noise in the bushes near our RV one night, but I think it was feral pigs, not a bear. Later on a hike I saw prints from the pigs. Wild turkey can be seen around the area. One picture is the Toms (male) while the other picture is a turkey hen (no wattle).

No idea on the identification of these, but these are a few of the butterflies around our campsite.