The Shields Painting Difference: Perfection with Every Brush Stroke
Many painting companies in Florida rely on flashy marketing and big promises to try and attract new clients. But when it comes time to work, they fall short of their promises. This is often due to a lack of experience, qualified painters, and a drive to overachieve. At Shields Painting, we do things a little differently than other painting companies in Citrus County. We believe that a professional paint job should be as close to perfect as possible. Our goal is to leave you 100% satisfied, whether we're touching up an old residential paint job or performing a complex commercial project. It might sound simple, but we achieve that goal through honesty, hard work, beautiful results, and reasonable pricing.
As a family-owned and operated painting company in Homosassa Springs, FL, we strive to provide personalized, professional, and friendly service. Shields Painting has been in business since 1968 for a good reason. Whenever possible, we go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. Unlike some of our competition, we want to know all about your house or business painting project: your vision, your preferences, your challenges, and your goals. When we understand your needs, we can present you with a fantastic final product - one that you're proud to show off to friends and neighbors.
At Shields Painting, we combine our extensive experience with time-tested, meticulous painting processes, resulting in the highest quality painting results around. As a painting contractor in Citrus County, we can take on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Florida.
A few of our most popular painting services include:
- Interior Painting
- Exterior Painting
- Residential Painting
- Commercial Painting
- Cabinet Painting
- Ceiling Painting
- Fence Painting
- Sign Painting
- MUCH More!
Our commercial, industrial, and residential painting contractors take the proper steps to protect your property and belongings while we work. Our team will clean up after ourselves, so your property is left clean and free of debris when we're done. After all, we think there's only one way to do a job, and that's the right way.
Painting Services
Eco-friendly & clean work area.
PDCA Certified Member.
Your Go-To House Painting Company in Homosassa Springs, FL
Your home is a haven of relaxation and solitude. It is uniquely you - a place where you can express who you are through style and design. Whether you need interior touch-ups for your crown molding or a new exterior coat of paint, hiring a reliable painting contractor is the best way to get quality results.
At Shields Painting, we know how important it is to have a home that highlights your tastes and personality. That's why we offer an extensive array of residential painting services in Citrus County. As tempting as it might be to try a DIY paint job, without the proper skills and experience, there is a good chance that the results will turn out less than satisfactory.
High-quality painting requires skill, experience, and patience. If you're a homeowner who needs residential painting services but doesn't have the time, patience, or skills to handle the job, look no further than Shields Painting. We offer accuracy, precision, and longevity with each paint job we perform. Our customers choose Shields Painting for their home because they receive:
- Free Quotes with Detailed Project Breakdowns
- Affordable Pricing
- Expert Painting Contractors
- High-Quality Paint Products
- Combo of Traditional and Modern Techniques
- Well-Maintained Tools
- Unmatched Craftsmanship
- Friendly, Personalized Service
- Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work!
The majority of our house painting services come in two forms: interior and exterior.
Interior Residential Painting
As an interior painting contractor with decades of experience, our expert technicians have developed an interior painting process that maximizes quality and emphasizes customer satisfaction. We understand that interior painting goes beyond aesthetics. It protects your ceilings and walls and helps you sustain a healthier place to live for your family. When only the finest craftsmanship will do inside your home, Shields Painting is here for you.
Our seasoned team of painting experts and craftsmen is dedicated to respecting your space and providing you with the look and feel you're craving inside your home. Whether you bought a new house and want to make it your own or need minor touch-ups but have no time, Shields Painting is ready to tackle the job, no matter how small or large.
Unlike some painting companies, our interior house painters take the time to get the details right, every time. For instance, color is only one aspect of your interior paint job. The paint sheen or finish is just as important. Certain finishes are better for living rooms and bedrooms than in kitchens and bathrooms. We'll help you find the right finish and paint colors for your home, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups or repainting.
Some of our most popular interior house painting services include:
- Ceiling Painting
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Living Room Painting
- Bathroom Painting
- Basement Painting
- Color Consultations
- More
Cabinet Painting
Citrus County cabinet painting deserves its own section on this page because it requires more time, skill, and quality paint than most sections of your home. If your home's cabinets are built into its woodwork, replacing them can be obnoxiously expensive. Compared to the cost of installing new cabinets, painting your kitchen cabinets is much more affordable.
At Shields Painting, we specialize in transforming old cabinets into new, gorgeous features that are just as usable as they are beautiful. Each step of our cabinet painting process is meticulous and thorough. And we'll take care of the entire job, from cleaning, prep, and sanding to priming, painting, and reassembly. This unique service lets you enjoy a brand-new look in your kitchen without having to go into debt by replacing your cabinets.
Whether your cabinets are new, but you want to change their color or you'd like to transition wood cabinets to a painted finish, Shields Painting has the expertise and experience to give you a new look you'll love.
Exterior Residential Painting
Your home - it's a place that not only keeps your belongings safe. It protects your family and loved ones, too. It's one of your largest investments, and like anything else of value, it should be protected. However, Florida weather can take a toll on your home's structure and paint, lowering your home's value and even putting your family at risk.
While it's true that a beautiful exterior affects your house's value, it shouldn't take thousands of remodeling dollars to make a positive change to your home. There's a fine line between reasonable pricing and top-quality painting, and that sweet spot is what Shields Painting aims for. If you want to transform how your friends and neighbors see your home, never underestimate the power of a professional paint job.
Our exterior residential painting services are designed to boost curb appeal, give your home a fresh look, and help it stand up to Florida's unique weather. But we provide more than that. When you hire Shields Painting for your outdoor painting project, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your home is in truly capable hands. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help bring out the best in your property, whether you need to re-stain your deck or remove old, peeling paint from your siding.
If you're on the hunt for the very best exterior painting contractor in Homosassa Springs, FL, look no further than Shields Painting.
Some of our most popular exterior house painting services include:
- Vinyl Siding Painting
- Deck Painting and Staining
- Stucco Exterior Painting
- Wood Exterior Painting
- Porch Painting and Staining
- Soffit Painting
- Fascia Painting
- Window Painting
- Front Door Painting
- Thorough Painting Prep
- More
The Premier Commercial Painting Company in Homosassa Springs, FL
When it comes to first impressions, your businesses' appearance plays an important role. Your commercial property's paint job factors into its overall aesthetics. A great-looking, well-maintained paint job can mean the difference between a customer walking in your storefront and passing by. Conversely, an old, worn-out commercial paint job can send the wrong message to prospective customers. If you can't take the time to keep up your property's appearance, why would a customer spend their hard-earned money on your products?
The same goes for your businesses' interior paint. Would you want to do business with a company that has peeling paint or unsightly crown molding? At Shield's Painting, our goal is to create a beautiful environment that your customers and employees will love inside and out. When you work with our business painters, you can rest easy knowing we treat your business like it were our own. We always clean up after ourselves and know that operations cannot come to a halt just because we're painting. As such, we'll work with your busy schedule to ensure the job gets done right the first time without disrupting your day-to-day commitments.
With decades of commercial painting experience, we know the demands of a commercial painting project necessitate a disciplined and focused approach from the start. Our team of business painters is committed to delivering quality, on-time results on every project, every time - no excuses
We offer professional business painting services to a variety of building types, including:
01
Industrial Painting
A high level of care and finesse are required to effectively paint an industrial property. At Shields Painting, we know that industrial paint jobs involve much more than aesthetics. That's why our industrial services are customized to your specifications, using industrial-grade materials that stand up to heavy-duty operations.
02
Retail Store Painting
Our commercial painters apply effective, yet appealing interior and exterior paint that stand up to the daily rigors of busy retail environments.
03
Small Business Painting
Do you own a restaurant franchise? Have a small "mom and pop" location that needs a fresh coat of paint? Shields Painting has the resources and reliability to efficiently get the job done the first time. That way, you can focus on serving your customers, not having your business repainted.
04
Healthcare Location Painting
From walk-in clinics to long-term care facilities, Shields Painting is sensitive to your patients' needs. We know you must protect your patient's privacy while maintaining productivity. Our approach to healthcare location painting centers around your schedule to avoid disruptions in care.
05
Apartment Complex Painting
Erase signs of wear and make your apartment complex or multi-family building a more desirable place to live with a stunning, professional paint job.
Florida's Most Trusted Painting Contractor
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.
352-212-1533Free Consultation
Latest News in Homosassa Springs, FL
Local state parks offer inexpensive family fun
Buster Thompson Chronicle Reporterhttps://www.chronicleonline.com/news/local/local-state-parks-offer-inexpensive-family-fun/article_fb3a8a04-dd8a-54be-b39f-f79d127d8e27.html
Editor’s Note: This story is part of an occasional series of “staycations” that allow Citrus County residents to spend vacation time locally this summer without the expense of traveling very far. This story was updated to state canoes and kayaks can be rented at Fort Cooper to explore Lake Holathlikaha, but private use of watercraft there is prohibited.Florida has a handful of parks in Citrus County for locals and visitors to enjoy over the summer.There’s the Ellie Schiller Homo...
Editor’s Note: This story is part of an occasional series of “staycations” that allow Citrus County residents to spend vacation time locally this summer without the expense of traveling very far. This story was updated to state canoes and kayaks can be rented at Fort Cooper to explore Lake Holathlikaha, but private use of watercraft there is prohibited.
Florida has a handful of parks in Citrus County for locals and visitors to enjoy over the summer.
There’s the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, the Fort Cooper State Park, the Crystal River Archaeological State Park and the Crystal River Preserve State Park.
For more information on state parks, trails and historic sites, visit florida stateparks.org or call the statewide information line at 850-245-2157.
Here’s some information on the local state parks:
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Since the early 1900s, when trains used to let passengers off of what’s now Fishbowl Drive, the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park has been a tourist attraction because of its first-magnitude spring, before it grew into today’s educational attraction of captive animals.
After the Norris Development Company bought its 50-acre site and surrounding 100 acres in the 1940s, the park was advertised as Homosassa Springs “Nature’s Own Attraction” with an emphasis on entertaining with exotic and native creatures.
Ivan Tors Animal Actors housed their trained animals at the park for several years when they weren’t performing in TV and movies. This included Lu, the hippopotamus, who still resides at the park after then-Gov. Lawton Chiles dubbed him an honorary citizen of Florida.
From 1978, when Norris sold the land, to 1984, the site went through several owners.
Citrus County purchased the park to protect it until Florida bought the property to be a state park, featuring alligators, black bears, red wolves, Key deer, flamingos, whooping cranes, reptiles, Florida panthers, bobcats and other native wildlife.
Guests can also descend into the park’s underwater observatory to watch the resident manatees enjoy a swim or regular feeding alongside schools of fish.
Visitors can access the park by either taking the boat or tram in from the main entrance at 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, or by parking at the park’s west entrance at 9225 W. Fishbowl Drive, Homosassa.
Fort Cooper State Park
What was once a battle scene is now a 710-acre setting for historians, hikers, anglers, birders and campers to enjoy at the Fort Cooper State Park in Inverness.
Built along Lake Holathlikaha by Major Mark Anthony Cooper’s forces in April 1836, during the Second Seminole War, Fort Cooper was used to protect the sick and wounded during the U.S. conflict with the Seminoles in Florida.
With more than 500 warriors, the Seminoles sieged the fort and its 380 soldiers, but were held back long enough for reinforcements of U.S. troops to arrive 16 days later.
As part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, Fort Cooper State Park offers more than five miles of self-guided trails with prime views of wildlife. Bicyclists can also access the neighboring Withlacoochee State Trail along U.S. 41.
Fishing is allowed in designated areas on the 160-acre Lake Holathlikaha, and, at $5 an hour, canoes and kayaks can be rented out at Fort Cooper. Using private watercraft is prohibited to help prevent the introduction of invasive and exotic plants.
Park visitors and families can also enjoy the picnic facilities, the lakeside playground underneath the hardwood hammock, and a covered BBQ pit and pavilion that can be rented for use.
Call the park at 352-726-0315 to reserve primitive tent camping for groups of up to 25 people at the southern end of Lake Holathlikaha.
Every March, the park hosts its annual Fort Cooper Days event, complete with reenacted skirmishes from the Second Seminole War.
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
Take a walk through the remnants of a Native American settlement that used to exist around 500 years ago at the Crystal River Archaeological State Park to learn how a human culture changed across 2,500 years alongside a local river system and marine estuary.
This 61-acre, National Historic Landmark and pre-Columbian site at the edge of a coastal marsh, where anglers can also catch fish, has burial and temple mounds, a plaza, and a large midden.
For 1,600 years, the six-mound complex served as a ceremonial center for Native Americans, who traveled great distances to trade and bury their dead, with as many as 7,500 visiting each year.
At the end of 51 steps, park visitors can take in the view from the top of Temple Mound A, which was made from shells and sand for purposes historians can only speculate on.
Artifact exhibits and video presentations are also on offer at the Crystal River Archaeological State Park Museum, which opened in 1965 to explain the coastal dwellers’ history.
Museum construction at the park took place April 11, but the park and museum will remain open during normal business hours.
Crystal River Preserve State Park
While a year-round destination for hiking, kayaking, fishing, cycling, paddle boarding and bird-watching, the 27,500-acre Crystal River Preserve State Park is also one of Florida’s most biologically-diverse estuaries, where spring-fed rivers mix with saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico.
Management of the property went to the Florida Park Service in July 2004, and several more parcels were added to the preserve over the years after being acquired from families.
There’s a bicycling trailhead at the corner of State Park Street and Sailboat Avenue. Helmets are recommended for all cyclists. A number of hiking trails also snake within the preserve, including a seven-mile loop trail.
Anglers can get their catch of the day by stopping by either the Mullet Hole off of the first driveway on the left of Sailboat Avenue, or the Redfish Hole off of Fort Island Trail near mile marker four.
Effective April 19, the park’s river boat tour is temporarily unavailable. Check back with the park for updates. To purchase either boat tours or sunset cruises, visit Crystal River Preserve Adventures at crystalriver preserveadventures.com or call 855-613-2777.
Holy (Sea) Cow! Where to See Manatees on Your Next Date
Nancy Devaulthttps://www.orlandodatenightguide.com/2023/11/where-to-see-manatees/
During our cooler months (typically November through March), thousands of manatees migrate to Florida’s warmer waters. This annual visitation presents date night opportunities for couples to see the mellow giants up close in the great outdoors! There are multiple places to see manatees in Orlando and nearby. This year manatee season starts on November 15th.We've rounded up the best places to see manatees in the wild near Orlando and other awe-inspiring viewing centers.PS: Manatees can reach up to 13 feet in length and 3,0...
During our cooler months (typically November through March), thousands of manatees migrate to Florida’s warmer waters. This annual visitation presents date night opportunities for couples to see the mellow giants up close in the great outdoors! There are multiple places to see manatees in Orlando and nearby. This year manatee season starts on November 15th.
We've rounded up the best places to see manatees in the wild near Orlando and other awe-inspiring viewing centers.
PS: Manatees can reach up to 13 feet in length and 3,000 pounds. Holy (sea) cow! However, it is important to keep a safe distance and not touch the manatees (as lawfully mandated).
Updated November 2023 by Meghan Roth
Manatee Habitats Closest to Orlando
2100 W. French Ave., Orange City | (386) 775-3663
Less than one hour from Orlando, Blue Spring is the largest spring on the St. Johns River, the longest river in Florida, emitting 104 million gallons of water every day.
At 73°F, Blue Spring transforms into a manatee refuge in the winter. While watercraft and swimming are prohibited during the winter, you can watch the marine mammals from walking paths, viewing areas and via an online manatee cam. The park gets very busy on weekends, so visit on a weekday if you can.
There is a small cost to enter Blue Spring State Park ($6 per vehicle), which is a small price to pay to visit the best place to see manatees in Orlando. Locals and visitors alike flock to Blue Spring to see manatees in the winter.
If you can visit on a weekday you'll experience fewer crowds. Otherwise, try to get these as early as you can. The park can reach capacity. Expect a long line to enter if you arrive around 10am or later.
A small shop offers casual food and snacks, and there are plenty of picnic tables. Or head to downtown DeLand for lunch or dinner.
1502 S.E. Kings Bay Dr., Crystal River | (352) 563-2088
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge preserves the last unspoiled and undeveloped spring habitat in Kings Bay, which forms the headwaters of the Crystal River. It’s definitely worth the two and half hour drive.
Most importantly, unlike Blue Spring, you can dive in to snorkel with the manatees! Believe me, it’s a breathtaking experience in spite of your snorkel gear!
If 72°F is a pinch too chilly for you and your hottie date, head to the boardwalk at Three Sisters Springs, the only spring (of 30) in Crystal River accessible by land rather than by boat. You may see manatees pop up to the surface to breathe every 3-5 minutes.
Titusville, FL 32782 | (321) 268-2655
Located just over an hour from Orlando, this wildlife refuge on Florida's Space Coast is home to an incredibly diverse ecosystem that protects around 500 wildlife species.
If it's manatees you're hoping to see, the 90-minute Manatee and Dolphin Encounter kayak tour with A Day Away Kayak Tours will get you up close and personal with the gentle giants. Afterwards, seek out dolphins to observe them as they fish the shallow waters.
5301 North Hwy. 19; Ft. McCoy | (352) 236-0288
About an hour and a half away, situated within Ocala National Forest, the teal water of Silver Springs is a vibrant contrast to its surroundings. This natural swimming pool also has manatees.
Captain your own date night excursion alongside your favorite mate by renting a boat from The Castaways on the River.
6990 Dickman Rd., Apollo Beach | (813) 228-4289
I know, I know… you’re questioning if an electric company located an hour and a half away is really a date night spot. Oddly enough, it is.
For more than 30 years, manatees have flocked to the warm waters outside of this station and, so, an official viewing center opened. After manatee spotting, stroll the beautiful garden hand-in-hand with your date.
READ MORE: See Manatees in the Wild at TECO Manatee Viewing Center at TampaBayDateNightGuide.com
Other Places to See Manatees in Orlando
Nothing compares to seeing Florida manatees in the wild. And there are plenty more places to see them in the wild near Orlando, listed in the next section.
But if you want to stay in Orlando without any travel, and in a place you're guaranteed to see manatees, then head to either SeaWorld Orlando or EPCOT.
At SeaWorld Orlando, you can learn about the incredible manatee rescue efforts led by SeaWorld in partnership with multiple wildlife organizations. There are two manatee viewing areas at SeaWorld Orlando, including an underwater viewing area.
Or at Walt Disney World's EPCOT head to the Seas with Nemo and Friends. You can board the family-friendly ride with Nemo and friends, which exits at the massive aquarium. Or if you'd rather not wait for the ride, then head for the gift shop on the side of the building. You can access the massive aquarium without riding the ride by going through the merchandise shop.
The manatee viewing area at EPCOT is relatively small, but you'll be able to see some rescued manatees. There is an above-water viewing area on the second story of the aquarium as well as underwater viewing on the first floor.
Manatee Viewing Near Orlando – Worth the Drive
4150 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa | (352) 628-5343
Head about an hour and 45 minutes west to Homosassa. Here you’ll find both a rehabilitation facility for injured manatees and a natural spring for wild migrated manatees. See the manatees from the underwater observatory in the large spring pool and from boardwalks.
Also, check out the wildlife zoo and picnic area — you know outdoor dates always need a picnic!
READ MORE: Complete Guide to Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park
480 North Indian River Dr., Fort Pierce | (772) 429-6266
Headed to South Florida anytime soon? If so, stop at this waterfront environmental education and wildlife viewing center where manatees await. After the easy 2 hour drive, take a 90-minute tour through the Indian River Lagoon on the ‘Gator,' a covered pontoon boat.
11650 Northwest 115th St., Chiefland | (352) 493–6072
Manatee Spring is 25 feet deep and has over 26,000 feet of cave passageways, making it one of the longest systems in North America! How cool is that?
Take the turnpike north for a 2 hour and 15-minute drive; then hike and camp at this dog-friendly park. You can’t swim, canoe or kayak during manatee season, but you can see them from the elevated boardwalk.
Manatee Springs State Park is a great side trip during a Weekend Getaway in Cedar Key.
8771 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL | (239) 247-4955
If you’re headed to Fort Myers for a weekend getaway on the Gulf Coast, book a manatee tour on the Caloosahatchee and Orange Rivers. The 2-hour trek is narrated by a knowledgeable outdoor enthusiast. Tours are typically offered from January – March.
How to Help
You can Adopt-A-Manatee through the Save the Manatee Club! This nonprofit is focused on protecting manatees and their aquatic habitats for future generations. No, you can’t keep a manatee as your family pet (duh!); but “adoptions” help these endangered animals to live longer, healthier lives.
If you struggle with gift ideas for your ‘hard to shop for’ partner, Adopt-A-Manatee might be a fun fix.
Adopting a manatee starts at $25, and you get an adoption certificate, photo of an endangered manatee, a manatee biography and other stuff. Plus, the priceless knowledge that you helped to fund emergency rescue response for sick and injured manatees, in addition to waterway signage, public awareness/education, research, and more.
Discover Crystal River Florida is excited to present the “Step Into Awareness” augmented reality (AR) experience. Discover Crystal River’s new AR Experience will be available to all via a mobile device starting in April 2023, so everyone can experience the ongoing conservation efforts to maintain “The Manatee Capital of the World’s healthy manatee habitats.
Accessible via a QR code online, the new Step Into Awareness AR experience transports viewers to an underwater world where they can see manatees and witness the incredible strides made to conserve the habitat of these gentle giants, all from their smartphone. For the best experience, stand in a well-lit area without any obstacles so they can move about freely through crystal-clear springs, waving beds of eelgrass, and schools of fish to observe manatees.
Feature image credit: Discover Crystal River
See live Florida beach webcams as Hurricane Idalia nears, including Cedar Key, Tampa
Mark Kaufmanhttps://mashable.com/article/hurricane-idalia-florida-live-beach-webcams
Hurricane Idalia is picking up steam: It's expected to bring 100-plus mph winds, destructive storm surge, and heavy rains to Florida.Many of the worst impacts will happen in parts of the state's Gulf Coast, where Idalia will make landfall Wednesday morning. For those interested in following or understanding the effects of such a powerful storm, there are a number of live webcams showing the event, which you watch below.Idali...
Hurricane Idalia is picking up steam: It's expected to bring 100-plus mph winds, destructive storm surge, and heavy rains to Florida.
Many of the worst impacts will happen in parts of the state's Gulf Coast, where Idalia will make landfall Wednesday morning. For those interested in following or understanding the effects of such a powerful storm, there are a number of live webcams showing the event, which you watch below.
Idalia, a tropical storm on Monday, has now intensified into a Category 4 hurricane as of Wednesday morning. The National Hurricane Center observed rapid intensification of the storm as conditions become more favorable for a hurricane, notably the decrease in wind shear (which are winds that can impede the formation of a strong, coherent storm). What's more, Idalia has traveled over extremely warm ocean water, which provides energy for these storms. The water in Idalia's path is the warmest it's been in at least decades.
This all set the stage for the storm to strengthen.
"We expect it to rapidly intensify," Joel Cline, the National Weather Service Tropical Program manager, told Mashable on Monday evening. "This will be a rapid intensifier from a tropical storm."
Although an intense storm is unfortunate news for many people in the Florida region, the good news is this intensification expectation has been forecast days in advance, allowing people to follow the informed guidance from local officials, Cline noted.
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SEE ALSO: Why the U.S. will get a whole lotta sea level rise
The impacts will be serious.
"There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation from Idalia along portions of the Florida Gulf Coast where a Storm Surge Warning is in effect, including Tampa Bay & the Big Bend," the National Hurricane Center wrote. "Residents in these areas should follow advice from local officials." (Storm surge is caused by potent winds pushing water into the shore, at times causing violent inundations.)
Heavy rains from Idalia pose great risk, too. In recent years, freshwater flooding from heavy deluges has driven the majority of tropical storm-caused deaths. After landfall, Idalia will weaken but still carry potent rain bands over Florida, in a wide area between Tallahassee and Jacksonville. The ocean will certainly cause coastal flooding, but expect lots of flooding from rainfall in both coastal and inland areas.
"The rain will come down heavily at times," Tony Fracasso, a National Weather Service meteorologist, told Mashable.
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Tampa Bay Riverfront webcam
Tampa Bay is expected to see some four to seven feet of storm surge, along with hurricane force winds.
St. George Island beach cam
A rental vacation home on St. George Island shows a clear view of the beach. This region will experience some storm surge.
Frenchy's Clearwater Beach Cam
Live footage of Clearwater Beach from Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill. Clearwater beach is located just west of Tampa.
Homosassa Springs live webcam
This webcam is situated just inland of the coastal Homosassa region, at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Some of Florida's iconic manatees live in these springs.
Gulf Coast live webcams
The following live webcams aren't on YouTube, so they couldn't be embedded in this post like the livesteams above, but they are situated close to where Hurricane Idalia will make landfall. You'll have to click on the links:
- Homosassa Live View: A webcam at MacRae's of Homosassa, just inland of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.
- Cedar Key Beach Webcam: Live webcams at Cedar Key, Florida, near where Hurricane Idalia will make landfall.
- St. George Island Webcam: St. George Island, located in the NHC's "Hurricane Warning" zone, is located off the Florida Panhandle.
How is Hurricane Idalia related to climate change?
Climate change is impacting hurricanes. Some of these impacts are clear, particularly more serious rainfall and historic flooding, along with higher storm surges. Other impacts, like how the relentless warming oceans are affecting how strong these storms grow, are an intensive and ongoing area of research.
Lu The Homosassa Hippo Is Getting Older, But He Still Draws A Crowd
Zach Cohenhttps://www.wuft.org/animals/2021-01-05/lu-the-hippo
HOMOSASSA SPRINGS — Lu has always been the star of the show.From his days as a young, sought-after talent, to his movie and TV career in the 60s, Lu knows a thing or two about captivating an audience.Today, the aging actor is enjoying retirement in Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. But Father Time is catching up to him. Lu relies on medication and supervision from dedicated caretakers, such as Kate Spratt.“We love Lu,” Spratt said, "and he’s one of our family members, and it’s pret...
HOMOSASSA SPRINGS — Lu has always been the star of the show.
From his days as a young, sought-after talent, to his movie and TV career in the 60s, Lu knows a thing or two about captivating an audience.
Today, the aging actor is enjoying retirement in Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. But Father Time is catching up to him. Lu relies on medication and supervision from dedicated caretakers, such as Kate Spratt.
“We love Lu,” Spratt said, "and he’s one of our family members, and it’s pretty special to get to work with him.”
The feeling is mutual among Lu’s caretakers, but none have a bigger connection to him than James Curry. Curry says Lu is one of the biggest reasons why he got into this profession in the first place.
“I first met Lu in 1981 when I was three years old,” Curry said, “and I’ve been with him ever since, you know, from childhood all the way now to have worked—been able to have the pleasure of working with him for the last decade.”
Curry says words can’t describe how amazing it is to work with Lu. And Curry tries to see him at least once every day, whether that’s to help him eat, to check his health, or to just chat.
But Curry knows that if he visits Lu, he has to be careful where he stands. The last thing he wants is to be covered in hippo dung.
And with a 6,000-pound hippo like Lu, flying feces is a real threat.
“Hippopotamuses are very territorial animals,” Curry said. “One of the ways they claim their territory is by urinating and defecating on objects. So what they will do is begin to defecate and twirl their tale around real fast and then they will fling dung all over something.”
Luckily, Lu’s exhibit has a big yellow sign labeled "Splatter Zone" that warns any unsuspecting bystanders.
Of course, visitors don’t flock to the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park just to get covered in hippo feces. They come to see the oldest hippo in the Americas: Lu, which is short for Lucifer. The 60-year-old bull hippopotamus has lived at the park for almost his entire life.
Born in San Diego in 1960, Lu was relocated to Homosassa Springs to join the Ivan Tors Animal Actors. After nearly two decades of starring in movies and television specials, Lu suddenly faced eviction from his beloved home.
In 1989, the Florida Park Service took over the park and planned to move non-native species out of the state, which included Lu the Hippo. But Lu had become such a beloved member of the Homosassa community. So to keep Lu in the park, a petition was created and sent to Lawton Chiles, Florida’s Governor at the time.
“Governor Chiles agreed and actually made Lu an honorary Florida citizen,” Spratt said, “and that makes him the one and only Florida hippopotamus, and because he’s a citizen that’s how he’s allowed to stay in a Florida State Park as a non-native animal.”
Nearly three decades after becoming the only animal citizen in the state, Lu enjoys most of his days swimming in his enclosure, playing with his toys or entertaining visitors, though visitation is limited due to the pandemic.
Andrea Junkunc, who — like Curry and Spratt — is a Park Services Specialist, says the lack of a big audience doesn’t bother Lu too much.
“He has been in captivity his entire life,” Junkunc said. “He really does seem to like to interact with the visitors and he’s a big star here so everyone else’s name, they call out to him, sometimes he calls back. When he’s feeling really good he’ll kind of do like this weird somersaults where we can see his feet come up in the air.”
Indeed, Lu is living his best life. And while plans are still being made for his 61st birthday in January, feel free to stop by the state park and say hi to one of America’s most treasured animals.
Just don’t get caught in the Splatter Zone.
Staff Spotlight, Rick Coosey
Florida State Parkshttps://www.floridastateparks.org/staff-spotlight-rick-coosey
Park Services Specialist, Rick CooseyPark Services Specialist Rick Coosey has always enjoyed being outdoors. From breathing in the salty air on sandy beaches to exploring the quiet wonders of shady mangroves, he finds himself most at peace when he is outdoors.“I thought it would be a cool job to work outdoors in a natural environment, and there was an opening at Honeymoon Island so I applied,” says Rick. That was in 1998. He was hired to Honeymoon Island State Park and worked there for nearly 20 y...
Park Services Specialist, Rick Coosey
Park Services Specialist Rick Coosey has always enjoyed being outdoors. From breathing in the salty air on sandy beaches to exploring the quiet wonders of shady mangroves, he finds himself most at peace when he is outdoors.
“I thought it would be a cool job to work outdoors in a natural environment, and there was an opening at Honeymoon Island so I applied,” says Rick. That was in 1998. He was hired to Honeymoon Island State Park and worked there for nearly 20 years, also helping to take care of associated parks Anclote Key, Caladesi Island, Egmont Key and the Skyway Fishing Piers.
Over the years, he held many positions, including a substitute maintenance mechanic, maintenance repairman, park ranger and assistant park manager. Upon leaving the beach parks, he was a park ranger for a short amount of time at DeLeon Springs State park before coming to Ellie Schiller Homosassa Spring Wildlife State Park as a maintenance park services specialist.
With his diverse experience, Rick has an abundance of stories and favorite places. He starts his workday with the rising sun, walking along sandy beaches conducting sea turtle patrol during nesting season. Remote islands have welcomed him into their wild landscape during picnic pavilion construction. Rick has enjoyed giving guided trail walks and leading interpretive programs about ospreys in the spring while watching manatees swim and rest in warm waters in the winter.
One of his most memorable experiences was making additions onto park housing at Caladesi Island, a place that is accessible only by boat. He worked the project start to finish, having the blueprints drawn up, materials ordered and then working with park staff and volunteers to build the rooms.
On any given workday, Rick can be found replacing boardwalk, repairing a diesel engine or maintaining manatee pool heaters. His skillset is diverse and he is able to determine how to fix anything.
According to Park Manager Zach Phifer, “Rick does a great job representing the Florida Park Service and its core values! We’re very fortunate here at Homosassa Springs to have his years of knowledge, skills and abilities. He is held in very high regard by his coworkers, volunteers and supervisors and is an integral part of what makes this park tick. Rick is always willing to give a helping hand and continuously demonstrates a positive attitude.”