We are here at Manatee Springs State Park in Chiefland, FL….This is another wonderful and amazing spot..if you don’t mind almost NO internet and absolutely NO AT&T cell phone service!! We have been pretty fortunate to see a young Manatee in one of the springs here at the park..I am only going to attempt one or two photos and a collage…Our Verizon internet connection sucks pond spring water.
The Florida manatee is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee. Adult manatees average 10 ft. in length and about 1200 lbs…There are scuba divers here daily to swim in the spring with them..but they have to maintain a 50 ft. distance from them (which some idiots PUSH to the max!). There are always park rangers at the springs when there are divers to keep an eye on them and make sure the divers don’t do anything dumb..In my humble opinion, the divers ruin it when they are paddling all over, fins and masks swooping through the springs…making ripples so it’s hard to spot the manatees..I would prefer to see them without “Mike Nelson” in the water. (If you remember the TV show, Sea Hunt, you get my meaning.)
This park is connected to the Suwannee River, as in “Waaaaay down up the …”.. It is a gorgeous place to explore. The campsites in our loop, Hickory loop, are all in the sand..This does not bode well for RV carpet when it rains all day and night, which it did yesterday. And the roads in our loop are packed sand, with pot holes and tree roots making for an interesting RV drive to your site. TO be fair, there is another loop, Magnolia loop, which is closed because they are improving the sites and road…(much needed)..I’m thinking they are doing it one loop at a time, and I sure hope this loop is on the agenda soon!
Today is sunny and 70 degrees.YAY!! Tomorrow, MacGyver and I are going to drive to Cedar Key to explore a bit…Cedar Key was basically just an old fishing village in “the day”, that has developed into a popular tourist attraction.. They do have a wildlife refuge and an old lighthouse..and you know me and history..I gotta see it…
Here is a collage of a few pictures I have taken here…and you know darn well I have LOTS stashed on my computer!!! I figure a collage will publish easier than lots of separate photos…here in Verizon Hades.
Manatees are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978. It is illegal to feed, harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, annoy or molest manatees…And I say Thank the Lord!!
If this is the only way I can ride one…I’m jumpin’ on it!!!
See ya again when the internet Gods that be allow!
Looks like a good time to me... we spent one winter at Crystal River NWR... actually had the opportunity to take an injured manatee to the manatee hospital at Lowry Zoo in Tampa (wonderful place).... so it's great to see you having such a great time with those fantastic critters.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to hear you have been able to observe the manatee!! I grew up in Florida and it has been ages since I actually got to see one swimming around all happy and everything!!! Sure want to get back down that way and see them again.
ReplyDeleteYou guys will enjoy Cedar Key!! There is an old old cemetery there that you just HAVE to explore!!! Enjoy your day!!
At the Three Sisters Spring in Crystal River you are allowed to kayak/canoe near the Manatees. You are also allowed to float with them. We have done it twice 42 F but loved every minute of it. No scuba divers allowed there. The Manatee will sometimes put their noses to your mask (Manatee Kiss). They are the gentle giants of the sea and will not hurt you. Try it you'll love it.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
Sea Hunt?? Oh my goodness girl, we are OLD!
ReplyDeletelooks like your winter vacation is turning into a great one!!
ReplyDeletenice work on the collages!
I think we're going to have to make another trip to Florida. You look like you're having a great time.
ReplyDeleteYou are not too far from Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River. I would highly recommend a trip there to see the manatee. The water is crystal clear and blue and is the prettiest of all the Florida Springs. There is a boardwalk around the springs and you get a wonderful view of the springs and manatee. They can only get in there on a high tide, so try to time your visit with the tides. Due to the fact that there are so many manatee (hundreds) they have been closing the springs to snorkelers during high tide so you should get a wonderful view of them. It's such an amazingly beautiful place! Check out my blog post here for pics and more info. http://florida-georgiacamping.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-real-florida.html
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