Coach journeys

Anhinga

The anhinga is a water bird. It does not have oil glands for waterproofing its feathers like most water birds. When it goes swimming its feathers get wet. This helps it dive and chase fish underwater. However when it is above water, it must spread its wings to dry in the sun. It can fly with wet feathers but not as well.

The adults have beautiful white feathers. The long tail has given the anhinga the nickname, "water turkey". It is also known as the snake-bird because of its snake-like neck. The female anhinga is easy to spot. Her neck and chest feathers are much lighter in color than the male.

The anhinga spears his prey with his pointed beak like an arrow. Sometimes the anhinga's thrust is so powerful that the anhinga has to swim to shore and pry the fish off his beak by rubbing it against a rock.

The pancakes are in the restaurant inside this mill.

OLD SPANISH SUGAR MILL

One of the most popular attractions at De Leon Springs State Park is our unique restaurant. Located inside the Old Spanish Sugar Mill building you will find the Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill and Griddle House. Here we grind grains on our French buhr millstones and use these flours to make pancake batters, breads and cookies. Each of our tables in the restaurant is equipped with a griddle in the center. We bring you pitchers of our homemade pancake batters. You may order blueberries, sausage, eggs or other items to accompany your pancakes. The fun of making your own pancakes is enjoyed year round by young and old alike.

DeLeon Springs State Park is the place to go to cook your own pancakes.
You get the batter and choices of extras - nuts, berries.

Here we are enjoying the pancakes and the company.

Outside we watched an

Anhinga

The anhinga is a water bird.

The adults have beautiful white feathers. The long tail has given the anhinga the nickname, "water turkey". It is also known as the snake-bird because of its snake-like neck. The female anhinga is easy to spot. Her neck and chest feathers are much lighter in color than the male.

My cousin, Jeanette and her husband, Bob, and their Chocolate Lab, Toby, visited for a few days.