This is such a beautiful park to visit any time of the year but in the winter months you have a chance to see Manatee come up into the Springs to swim in the warmer temps. We were afraid that we would be too late to see any Manatee but knew we would enjoy the Park anyway.
Luck was with us!
We saw 6 Manatee all swimming together in an area close enough to get a good look. They are mammals and come up to breathe so everyone was excited every time one came up to the surface.
We called this one Silver back because he was keeping his back out of the water and it looked silver.
Wikipedia has an excellent article on Manatees and this photo to give you an idea of what you are seeing through the water.
The whole area was flooded, compared to past visits.
But most of the boardwalks were open to view turtles, fish and water birds.
Manatee Springs is on the Suwannee River and the views of the river are spectacular!
Are you looking forward to visiting your State Parks this Spring and Summer?
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40 comments:
would love to see this state park in person. i will write it down for the hubby - for the next time we are in Florida.
great shots. ( :
I would love to see this in person too! How beautiful! And I love that bridge shot.
Such a beautiful spot!! Its not quit park time here, cold and a few more snow days to get through.
Such a beautiful lush, green river. How fun to see the manatees!
Your header is very pretty...
I love The Veggie Tales song Barbara Manatee!!! *giggles* I also saw the cutest photo of baby platypuses yesterday!
xo,
RJ
We have a snow storm outside again this morning. Your park pictures are so inviting. Have fantastic that you were able to see your mammal friends. We are taking the girls on a two week vacation out west this summer to visit several national parks. Can't wait!!
We've been there and it's a gorgeous spot.
Snow here so wishing I could be there today!
Hugs
This is a special place. Thank you for sharing it.
Nicole/Beadwright
I would love to see manatees in person. We got to see lots of whales in San Diego a couple of weeks ago. Animals just amaze me!
What fun.
Thanks for taking me along.
Woolie hugs
Trace
amazing! Wish I was there,
when i was in grade six I did an essay and project on these amazing creatures, I was a grade six student living deep in the North of Canada who chose these exotic creatures as my subject, gentle giants, I think they are amazing! You live in the most beautiful spot on earth and I love that you share the beauty with us,
This might have been the park I visited with my grandma maybe 30 years ago - I know it was a river where the manatees gathered, and I don't know how many of those there are. They were so wonderful to see - just so sweet and gentle! It was an experience I'll always remember. Thanks for reminding me of that!
aww what fun,..
thank you dear x
One of the most beautiful places I've ever visited and I always wanted to visit there again and now because of you I have. Thank you for sharing. HUgs
Don't you just love manatee-so large but graceful-would love to see them in that habitat. If I ever get to FL
again I am going to that
beautiful park!
Oh I love this and I have always wanted to see a Manatee in real life. When we lived and also visited Florida many times, I never could find them, even when people would say.."oh they are there..."
Thank goodness for state parks, we walk ours frequently. I would LOVE to visit this one, manatees are amazing, aren't they? Like underwater elephants.
Your new header is so pretty!
One of my favorite swimming holes ever! The camping is great there too. Manatees are a beautiful animal to watch in the wild. I have had a few encounters on my kayak with a curious manatee popping his/her nose up over my bow. The first time freaks you out really good.
We've visited there. Very interesting and enjoyable park.
Judy
The manatee is a beautiful site; how lucky that you live near enough to visit. XOXO
The manatee is such an unusual creature...to me! I'd love to see them in person and would love to visit this park some day. It looks so beautiful there!
Thanks for the tour, this place looks so beautiful. I probably will never get there but I feel like I have at least experienced a little part of it. Thank you. Chel x
What a great park...to see the manatees is a blessing...I have been hearing stories of red tide, that can indanger the manatee. xoxo,Susie
Manatees always seem so magical and sweet-what a fun outing for you!! I probably will never have the opportunity to visit this park-but in a way I did because of YOU!!
Sweet Hugs!
Jemma
I love going there. The manatee are so amazing. Thanks for sharing your visit. hugs, Laura
Such a pretty Park. I adore Manatee's. They look so sweet! Great pics, makes me want Spring even more!!
Amazing! I can see why you'd want to visit there. Have never seen an actual manatee and now I want to!
The Mr and I love state parks and like to go Spring and Fall (summer is usually too hot for us). When I was a Girl Scout leader my troop adopted a Manatee with some of our cookie money...it was great to learn all about them. I hope to visit there sometime and see one in person!
hugs, Linda
So beautiful! MAN I wish it would start to feel like spring here! Those manatees would be frozen solid if they swam around here -- LOL
What a beautiful peaceful looking place to visit. Tomorrow is the first day of spring and I am ready to get out and enjoy some sights around here but there will be no manatees to see. Your photos are really nice and allow us to see things and places we might never see in person. Thanks! Enjoy your first day of spring-tomorrow!
We plan on doing a lot of camping, bird watching, animal watching, lazing about! Can't wait!
~Christina
Wonderful pictures Diane, you are so lucky to see those wonderful manatees in the wild! What a beautiful park, it is going on my bucket list of places to visit when we start our retiremenet travels! Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful spot, Deb
Such a delightful place to visit. We have had manatees come up in the canal behind our home in Florida. They nibble on our vegetation lining the water. Even reached down and touched one but it startled him away!
I think we went there many years ago when were in Florida visiting family when our girls were little. What a beautiful place!
hugs,
Cindy
gorgeous photos. What a wonderful place for a walk. Your first image looks a bit like our "Big Swamp" walkway. I have never seen a Mantree so thankyou for showing them to us.
Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by my blog to say hi.
I'm just looking forward to warmer, sunnier weather in general! LOL
You always share such gorgeous photos, Diane! Thanks!
Oh- it was your lucky day to see the manatees- They are amazing,aren't they? I sure do miss Florida! xo Diana
I would love to go and visit state parks here. Not likely to happen, but I would love to!
What a treat! I have never seen manatee in the wild....and what a breathtaking place to visit them!
So cool! I have a cousin who does a manatee watch for the government! Somewhere in FL-- don't know exactly where. She loves it!
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