Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park, FL Dec. 13, 2009 This handsome guy's nickname was "Don Juan". He had been removed from the wild because he had fathered too many cubs, scientists needed to remove him from the gene pool. He shared his enclosure with a female cougar, but they had to stay apart. She had been a "pet", her ignorant owners had her de-clawed, so she is unable to defend herself. When we drove down Hwy. 29 to the Big Cypress Preserve we passed "Panther Crossing" signs. The last stand for these magnificent creatures is in the Fakahatchee Strand and the Big Cypress Preserve. They are on the endangered species list due to habitat loss.
Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park, FL Dec. 13, 2009 How a purple-flowered plant can get the name Golden Dewdrop, I have no idea! The park had lots of native and non-native (like this one) plants growing along the paved trails.
Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park, FL Dec. 13, 2009 The wildlife park also had lots of native wildflowers. This pretty milkweed had a Monarch caterpillar munching on it, surprising for Dec.!
