Blue Manatee

Here is my new manatee blog post - yes I owe everyone the "Adventures of Sparky the Manatee" but that is taking some time to formulate and tell (there will be lots of pics).

In the meantime here is something I've been pondering...., how many color combinations in the springs? I think the sure answer is "endless".

Best, Carol

Blue Manatee

I’ve been fascinated by the colors in the clear, fresh water springs of Florida. Yes, I love the manatee...., but I think my “love affair†with the manatee is almost as much a love affair with the ever changing colors of our Florida springs.

Note the photograph above - all blue. This was taken on a rare morning when the thick fog didn’t quite burn off but the sun was still strong. Usually at this time of the day the sun rays are casting rainbow patterns on the springs and manatee but in the case above things stayed all blue because of the haunting quality of the lingering fog. This doesn’t happen often and the photograph above is exactly how it looked.

But it is not just fog that effects the colors in the springs. Direction of the sun plays a huge role in what water colors come to the fore and also the water itself changes color dramatically, sometimes even from minute to minute. The springs are so dynamic, especially the ones that are connected to the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico (like Crystal River). Lower visibility water of varying colors (usually greenish), makes its way up to the springs and mixes with the spring flows to produce a totally vast array of colors. I don’t think we even have enough colors to catalog all the variations that occur. And the “mix†is not constant. Depending on weather and environmental factors the amounts of the water from the Gulf and the springs mix in different amounts constantly, sort of like a mixed drink never made the same way twice. Then you add in a few shots of strong Florida sunlight at different times during the day, filter it through different trees, maybe add a cloud or two, and you begin to get the idea that yes, the color combinations when the manatee meet the clear water springs are endless. (Then again if the weather conditions are tough it can be absolutely murky in this exact same spot - got to love all the drama and anticipation as you don’t need to take up extra sources of gambling when you try to predict the water clarity of the springs! That is truly “game-onâ€.)

The photograph below is an additional peek into the possibilities. Note it is the same spring, just a bit of a different angle. Of course the effects of no fog and a different time of day can clearly be discerned. And the “mix†of the spring’s “cocktail†was different - that laced with the rainbow rays.........., well you get an idea why I’m hooked on photographing manatee in the springs. It is probably like being in the mind of a painter who is creating a piece and the colors are swirling around in his imagination being created for the canvas, ever changing, ever striving for more aesthetic beauty. Then you add into it a wonderful animal like the Florida manatee and you see why I go time and time again trying to observe it all and then, always....... there is another new color. Carol

Rainbow Manatee (aka a study of rainbows on a manatee)

Hi Carol,

Regarding colors in the springs, I had a free day and went out with Diane at Bird's in Crystal River.

It was the day befor the cold snap, so not alot of action, but a one in particular allow me a few nice "green water" shots. At first I was a little disappointed with the visibility, but found that I really like the shade of blueish green in the water.

By the way, thanks for all your post with advice on shooting Manatees, it really helped and made it a magic experiance for me.

Thanks,

John

Hi Carol,

 

Regarding colors in the springs, I had a free day and went out with Diane at Bird's in Crystal River.

 

It was the day befor the cold snap, so not alot of action, but a one in particular allow me a few nice "green water" shots. At first I was a little disappointed with the visibility, but found that I really like the shade of blueish green in the water.

 

By the way, thanks for all your post with advice on shooting Manatees, it really helped and made it a magic experiance for me.

 

Thanks,

John

Great John, I like your pics! See you can even get nice shots in the greener water tinged with some pretty blue..... - I sometimes give up when the water is like that as it is so often now, but I shouldn't give up as your shots are nice and have a nice mood. Yes, it is pretty easy to find manatee, even when the weather is cooler and more conducive, in the green water. Unfortunately with the turn the river has taken it is mostly green water now. But the clear water is harder to find and even harder to hit right, I try constantly to hit it perfect......

But you have shown and the pics from the 'American Waters' book shows too that the more common green water is lovely too if photographed well.

John don't feel bad that you weren't here after the cold snap because it was the wrong kind of cold snap. It brought hundreds of manatee in the river but the wind came too strong and too long from a bad direction and that coupled with rough surf in the Gulf actually pulled the water out of the river and Bill from Bird's told me they felt the river was at a 30 year low on January 3rd. I saw it and it was nuts, almost every boat was grounded and Bird's even damaged two props trying to come back in on am tours because the water retreated so dramatically. Manatee where there in different spots and you could get to where they were with a kayak but they weren't in clear water and I didn't even enter as it was miserable cold and super windy on a kayak. Now it has warmed back up to 78 degrees during the day and that is too warm so things are crazy. It is good for manatee because they can leave and find food when it warms in deeper, darker water, but it is crazy for trying to observe them because of the short, quick cold snaps and the fast warm ups...

So you did well! Glad to be of help and I'm glad you enjoyed the manatee.

Best, Carol

Fantastic shots Carol. Beautiful blue.

The sunlight on last one is stunning!!!!

I always enjoy your photos.

Fantastic shots Carol. Beautiful blue.

The sunlight on last one is stunning!!!!

 

I always enjoy your photos.

Thanks Jenny, I admire your photos too!!!!!!

Mutual admiration society! B)

Thanks, Carol

We were at crystal river for 6 days and our last day in the water was on the first cold day on the 2nd Jan. The water level had actually dropped by at least 3 feet, (probably 4 feet) from the day before and I know it got even lower on the 3rd as I saw the Birds boats ground while watching from the dock before we left town. It was bizarre seeing so much lake bed exposed above water.

I had a great time at crystal river, but came away with mixed emotions as things have certainly changed a lot since I was last there 6 or 7 years ago. The water quality has nose dived, housing development has exploded around the water and especially tour groups (although individual boats do it as well) were totally out of control and at times were chasing Manatees everywhere. I was actually extremely annoyed with one operator who are supposed to be among the most reputable on the river who made a great play on telling any boat that moored up that they were filming manatee violations and reporting people, yet appeared to let their groups run riot. They soon went quite when I told them that I was going to be filming and reporting their tour groups if I saw anything going on, although I didn't see any noticeable improvement in behavior from them.

Our stay was capped off on our last day (the first of the cold days) when we spent nearly 4 hours in the water with Manatees everywhere and they genuinely appeared to be enjoying and seeking out human contact. Until then I had been leaning heavily towards banning people from even getting into the water with them after what I had seen, but it definitely changed my mind, although far, far, far tighter enforcement needs to be implemented.

As always just my opinion.

Cheers, Simon

I agree with you Simon. But just remember when you were there - hmmmmmmmm...., after Xmas to New Year's one of the busiest times on the river. For my own and also the manatee's sake I avoid those times - and I tell everyone I know to also (I say it in every post almost). I know some people are only off at holiday times but it is worth it to specially schedule a time that is mid-week and not during holidays!! Simon sorry to point out were your own worst enemy there going during a holiday time and a warm holiday time at that (except for the 2nd).

Crystal River is a small town in a relatively less-developed part of Florida (to say that the education level there is less than state average would be accurate). Of course people have moved in from elsewhere and Winter visitor's now fill up high season. That is also manatee times. Seeing that the economy of Crystal River is much under the State average operators have undercut each other and boat rental places also. Manatee tours for $10 are advertised but aren't worth anything. The crowds at CR are in a large part to blame by the operators including the boat rental outfits not regulating themselves. The manatee observation will probably get closed down because of this and the insistence of people to crowd in during the busiest times.

Note my "blue manatee" pic above. That was actually taken between 8 to 9am high-season, last February, mid-week of course (on a Thursday, not a holiday). No one is around.............., notice....... And the rainbow one was taken mid-day about a month ago on a Tuesday - again no one around for the longest time and the manatee resting in total peace - I was alone there for a couple of hours. (Of course you never see that data posted by the group that posts on YouTube - I've watched them and they target only the busy times for violations and don't show the big picture - how it is peaceful for the manatee at CR the vast majority of the time, plus I've seen that group disturb manatee themselves while eagerly trying to get alarming YouTube/press fodder so that speaks volumes to me as to their real intentions....). But Bob Bonde (the manatee "guru") knows and he has stated that the manatee at CR are well looked after.

Simon I'm glad you enjoyed the manatee and just to let you know I've had wild manatee off the Gulf here in Clearwater, in W. Palm Beach, down south diving at Boca Grande, and while I was swimming in Key Largo - I've had dozens of manatee approach me in all these places (besides Crystal River), on scuba or not, didn't matter and they were all curious and sought out close investigation and some sort of contact - some manatee more bold than others.

So that is the nature of the creature naturally and one reason why it is endangered, it is naturally curious and docile. As it is not naturally afraid of you they tend to seek out close investigation all over the state as long as one is calm in the water. That is their natural behavior and why the interaction at CR has worked for so long. It is just now with the crowds that everyone must go during more quiet times - not holidays or weekends.

When the manatee observations at Crystal River gets closed down which it probably will because no one has stepped up to deal with crowd control during holidays and weekends - that will mean no one in the water near manatee and no photographers either and that will be a sad day indeed All because we did not manage ourselves and go when it wasn't crowded and the time was good for the manatee, not us..........

Thanks for letting me know you went Simon and I'm glad you enjoyed the manatee, Carol

PS - yes the lyngbya blue-green algae has ruined some of the beauty of Crystal River but it isn't all development related - there are many factors involved, including the degradation of the water quality of the entire Florida aquifer (which is probably as much Georgia's fault as Florida's); and busier storm/hurricane seasons which have brought more salt water intrusion into the springs equalling less viz, etc. During cooler times at Crystal River though and different water level conditions (the ones I try to hit......), the water is much nicer and still crystal clear in some manatee spots. Thank Goodness!

PPS - also I had friends who went out with Chris from Bird's Underwater on Saturday December 22nd. I didn't go cause I don't do weekends as principal and warned them but they said they had a wonderful experience on December 22nd, 2007. This is one of my best friends and her brother and they recounted every detail of the trip to me on Xmas eve. Seems Chris spent a lot of the tour searching for groups of manatee with no one around - yes water viz was less at those spots but the manatee were not crowded. When they arrived at more crowded springs later in the am my friends said Chris warned them of the people looking/videoing for alarming YouTube, etc. footage and Chris supervised them very closely. Plus they told me throughout the tour Chris instructed them on the right way to interact with manatee. So I don't know what you encountered but it most certainly is not the norm and still could have been avoided by not going during a holiday or weekend. C

Hi Carol

It's a fair point you raised about going at busy times on weekends or holidays, but unfortunately that was the only time we could go. We actually missed out two days and went diving instead because of the crowds, but my point is still there. Apart from one day we didn't see any authority policing, although on a couple of days they did have volunteers out on canoes, but I honestly don't think that's enough. This situation, could be policed and regulated and still allow people into the water with these magnificent animals, but there obviously does not appear to be the will there to do it. When there is no will for operators to self regulate then the only other alternative is to legislate. Even simple things like prop guards on all boats would be a good first step, but when I mentioned this to a couple of people they just looked at me blankly. Perhaps it's a problem with weeds, maybe.

I've seen Manatee's before in the keys and also at crystal river, but I've never had an encounter like I did on the 2nd which was magical. Not many boats were out due to the cold and Manatees were everywhere. They were coming up to people, nuzzling them and rolling on their backs and were very insistent on getting their bellies rubbed. I never ever normally touch wildlife but more than once I had to stop filming because a manatee wouldn't leave me alone until they'd had some attention and some even seemed to be jealous of the attention others were getting and barging other Manatees out of the way to get into the prime spot. It was one of those special days that we all look for while diving and so glad I got the opportunity to be there.

Crystal River has problems but I truly hope they get sorted out.

Cheers, Simon