Saturday, February 11, 2017

Swimming with the Manatees!

Put on your swimming gear for this next adventure!

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February is the best month for viewing the endangered Manatees in a number of Forida State Parks.

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We went to Homosassa State Wildlife Park and stood under a pavillion to watch swimmers with the manatees.

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It’s the first time we’ve seen someone spend this much time with one.

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There was a Mama and baby close by.

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Then we walked down a trail to see even more!

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Do you see those huge dark humps in the water?

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That is over 100 Manatees enjoying the warmer temps in Crystal Springs!

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It’s the most we’ve ever seen at one time!

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AMAZING!!!

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They are often called Sea Cows (they are herbivores and graze up to 7 hours a day), weigh around 1,300 pounds and are around 12 ft in length. Would you be brave enough to get in the water and pet one?

I’m not sure I would…can I bring my camera?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE.

 

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! Incredible photos. I don't think I would be brave enough but I would enjoy watching.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Diane, I loved these these gentle animals. They have the cutest faces. I would not be brave to swim with them though. I am glad you got the chance to see this large group of manatees at Homasassa.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

Sam I Am...... said...

It wouldn't bother me as they are gentle giants. I snorkeled around some Cayes in Belize and there were nurse sharks in the water but they too are not aggressive but it was so beautiful underneath the water with all the tropical fish and coral and plants that I was practically hypnotized and when I surfaced I was quite a ways from the boat! LOL! thank you for the pictures. I'm glad they are educating people about the creatures we share the planet with. The more we feel connected to them the more we will protect and care for them and our environment.

Mrs. Chrissy T said...

Wow. I have never seen one up close or even knew they had a place you could swim with one. That is amazing.

Arlene G said...

I will just stand with you and watch Diane!!

Debbie said...

i would love to see this!! such beautiful animals, soft, gentle spirits...how amazing to swim with them. i may just have to put this on my bucket list!! have a wonderful weekend!!!

carol l mckenna said...

Gorgeous shots of the manatees ~ thanks,

Wishing you a Happy and Peaceful Weekend ~ ^_^

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I love manatees! I would adore coming to Florida and watching them. Not sure I could get in the water as I'm not a strong swimmer. Amazing photos Sis!!!

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

There was a time when I would have been thrilled to get in the water with these gentle giants! I've never seen so many at one time Diane! Amazing that they only eat plants. Great photos of a beautiful day! ♥

Lowcarb team member said...

I think I would be happy standing and watching ...
Lovely photo's Diane, thank you

All the best Jan

Christine said...

Oh how wonderful! Your photos are fantastic! The whole experience must be unforgettable!
Happy weekend!

Sandy said...

They are fun too watch. I have never seen them in my bayou. I always seem to miss them, but they do migrate in here once a year and many have seen them. I think I would swim with them:)

Sandy said...

Your pictures are fabulous BTW!!!

Geraldine said...

what fun and such incredible animals!!! I'm glad that they are trying to protect them too. :-)

Connie said...

Oh my goodness . . . I think I would like to do this, and then again would it be a little bit scary to be in the water with such a huge animal. Thanks for sharing this it was very interesting.
Happy weekend!
Connie :)

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

gentlest creatures on earth

podso said...

I think I'd choose to watch from the river bank too. They are interesting creatures.

Ariadne said...

Amazing! I would have swum with them too if I had the chance!AriadnefromGreece!

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

Oh I would love to do this. Are they there year round or only in the winter?

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Nice pics of the manatees. Yes, I would get in the water with them. We have been to the Crystal River to see them when our daughter was younger. I would love to visit them again.

Latane Barton said...

Oh my, what an adventure. I couldn't get in there with them, sink or swim. Me, I'd hightail it to high ground. He he.

happyone said...

Oh what a wonderful post. They seem such gentle creatures and yes, I'd love to get in the water with one.

Jeanie said...

I just think that is so cool. It's something I always thought I would like to do but I've never talked to anyone who really did it. So glad you shared this with us, Diane.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Gentle giants, aren't they. Sometimes they swim up the canals in our area but I've yet to see one - only fish that skip across the water and big iguanas that look like a croc in the water.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

OH, I would love that adventure. How beautiful, their habitat..and they seem like such docile creatures.

Cherdecor said...

Heavens to Betsy!!! What large cows they are! I never saw anything like this before!!! That many at one time and in one place!!! I am glad that they are gentle giants. Thank you so much, Diane, for showing us some unique creatures. This post made my day!

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

I must plan a visit to Crystal Springs-- and bring the grandchildren!

Carla from The River said...

Hi,
Wow, what a fun time. Amazing!!! Does it cost anything to swim with the Manatees?

It looks like a fun adventure.
Carla

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

How wonderful is this! Pure magic, and I would think so therapeutic and relaxing. I would love to do this someday:)
xo
Jemma

Inger said...

Wow! I wish I could see that.

Stacey said...

What a blessing to get to see those creatures up close and personal!! I'd love to kiss one on the nose. :)

Anonymous said...

Diane, I love manatees! They are such gentle creatures. Thank you for sharing your special pictures with us!

Red Rose Alley said...

Wow, look at all the Manatees! They look like large rocks wading in the water. Very interesting find at the river, Diane. Mama and baby are cute.

~Sheri

A Colorful World said...

So so exciting! I would love to do this one day.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I think I'd like to try that someday... you got some wonderful pictures of these wonderful animals -- mine always just look like sort of blobs in the water. Yours actually show people who've never seen them what they look like (and how big they are) .... great shots.