Drifting manatee
lounging on the riverbed–
safe from propellers.
I’ve been fortunate to see these wonderful animals many times. They congregate at Blue Springs State Park and other spring-fed rivers when the weather turns cold and stay in the even temperature of 72 degrees spring water. They are fascinating and beautiful, gentle animals and very curious toward people. Their numbers are decreasing every year, however, mostly due to propellers of boats operating through manatee communities. They are an endangered species and protected by the state. Researchers believe there are only 2,000 – 3,ooo left in Florida. The Florida population is known as the West Indian Manatee out of the three types worldwide. I love to visit them whenever I get the chance.
booguloo
/ December 30, 2010Cool creatures.
Bodhirose
/ December 30, 2010Very cool.
liv2write2day
/ December 30, 2010How beautiful. I love all of God’s creatures and learning about them. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a manatee. Love to you and happy, creative 2011.
Bodhirose
/ December 30, 2010I love all of God’s creatures too, Victoria. Some of them need special care and protection.
Thanks for coming by–much love and happiness in the coming year for you.
Seasweetie
/ December 30, 2010I’ve always wanted to see (or swim with, if it’s okay with them) the manatees. It’s on my life list. So happy for you that you’ve gotten to see these gentle creatures.
Bodhirose
/ December 31, 2010There are a lot of people who encounter them in the springs while swimming but by law you aren’t supposed to hinder them in any way. But of course many people will reach out to touch them–they are very gentle. I’ve only seen them closely from the edge of the water.
I hope you get your wish, Seasweetie!
Sumit Sarkar
/ December 31, 2010Beautiful haiku for these wonderful creatures…
Thanks for sharing :)
Bodhirose
/ December 31, 2010Thanks so much, Sumit. They sure are wonderful…you’re welcome. xoxo
trisha
/ December 31, 2010they are so cute and you are so lucky!
Bodhirose
/ December 31, 2010I am so lucky to have seen these wonderful animals. :)
trisha
/ January 1, 2011you can say that. your natural expeditions are enviable. :)
Bodhirose
/ January 1, 2011I sure love to see wildlife. :)
trisha
/ January 4, 2011me too.
trisha
/ January 5, 2011and you can express it so very beautifully. reading your posts about wildlife is a great joy.
Bodhirose
/ January 5, 2011I’m so happy that you enjoy them. Thanks. :)
Jamie Dedes, all rights reserved
/ January 3, 2011Aren’t they lovely? I read about them and their challenges now and then. Thank you for posting this. May we repost it on Gypsy’s blog?
http://ourpeaceablekingdom.wordpress.com/
Some people think these may be the origin of mermaid myths. I don’t know about that. You?
Bodhirose
/ January 3, 2011They are lovely animals. Please feel free to repost on Gypsy’s blog. I would like that. I just visited her blog–don’t remember visiting before but it’s a lot of fun over there. :) Watched the chinchilla video–that’s the cutest baby darling I’ve ever seen! What a precious little animal.
I had heard that story many times about manatees being mistaken for beautiful mermaids out at sea but frankly could never understand how a man could mistake a manatee for a gorgeous mermaid. Those sailors must have been at sea an awful long time…