Friday, February 06, 2009

Manatees

It has been really cold here lately--much colder than it should be in southern Florida. When this happens, we don't only worry about the crops and citrus trees freezing, we worry about the Manatees freezing also. But, luckily the manatees around here have a place to go when it gets cold. They know to head up the Caloosahatchee River to the power plant which discharges warm water. They have been showing on the news pictures of lots and lots of Manatees so we thought we would head over to Manatee Park today and check them out.


Manatees are called the Gentle Giants but thanks to us humans, they are endangered. Many of them have been hit by boats. There are Manatee Zones all over down here but it still doesn't keep them from getting hit. Most of the Manatees have propeller scars on their backs.


We weren't the only ones who decided to check out the Manatees today. There was a huge crowd there.

The Manatees didn't disappoint us. They were everywhere. There is a canal that goes under the highway from the Power Plant. The Manatees swim up the river and into the canal. Then there is a small cove where they all seem to head to. Obviously the water is warmer there.



There were three staff members from Mote Marine in Sarasota today taking pictures and making notes. Apparently they try to identify each of the Manatees.

I did get a few decent shots of some of the Manatees especially Mamas and their babies. Following are some of the better shots. Let me just say that it was pretty amazing to see so many of these wonderful mammals in one place. Up until today, I was lucky to see one or two at a distance.





10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love your manatee post! And I also like the cute photos of your family. :-)

Queen-Size funny bone said...

wow, at least they can't say no one cares about them, look at all the visitors.

Little Black Scrap Cat said...

Oh so beautiful!!! One of my favorite creatures!! My DD just LOVES the manatee exhibit at Seaworld and we have spent many peaceful hours there watching them. We will try to see if any are around Jerry's Marina next October on Sanibel.

Anonymous said...

Have I told you the story about how, when I was snorkeling with the manatees several years ago, one of those babies thought I was their mother and hooked up next to me to swim? If that didn't send me to weight watchers, nothing will! lol

Gayle said...

Well, at least the humans provide them with warmer waters so they don't die. Awesome photos...it must have been quite a sight to see!

Anonymous said...

My daughter adopted a manatee that we re-adopted year after year. They are wonderful..too bad human boaters aren't so wonderful

Unknown said...

Love your post!Gets me to thinking we should head on down to the TECO power plant and see the ones there.

The Farmer Files said...

My son is dying to see manatees!! He learned all about them, so if we make it to FL we will try and see them!

Anonymous said...

My husband visited that manatee park a few months ago when he was in Florida for work. He went on behalf of our son, Sam, who is NUTS about manatees. Obsessed, really.

While there, he only saw two manatee noses poking out of the water. The water was like coffee in the photos he took.

I am so happy you got to see so many manatees. There is a little boy in Colorado who would give up every toy he has to see them!

Alexis Jacobs said...

Manatees are such cool animals. I would love to go to that park!