Manatees

Hello Wetpixel,

New material from Crystal River for a possible/probably book on Manatees for 09. Sometimes it has been a mob scene; others pure paradise. My favorites are 1552 and 1617.

Manatees

Best regards,

Michael

www.mpostock.com

www.batfishbooks.com

1226 is really nice as well. Very nice collection and I understand the comments as I agree completely. Typically a cold weekday will lead to paradise. Anything else is hit or miss.

I too like 1226, but also like the orientation of 0958 and 0963. I have not been around manatees since the 80's. The same problems seems to have plagued them then as well.

Very cool photos. I would love to experience that. One of these days I'll have to schedule a longer trip to my folk's place in Naples and head up there. Nice work.

Nice. Great viz in those photos, Michael. The manatees seem almost three dimensional against the background.

It was pretty murky for much of my time there. Wish I lived closer!

Alex

Michael,

I like these - also I like 1613 too, cause I'm a sucker for manatee behavior... It is amazing how flexible their flippers are and how many uses they come up with for them!

I think your 1617 is good too because it clearly illustrates a point that with the manatee it is often not possible to keep a specified distance from them (as it seems this person is finding out a bit to his dismay). This is very unique with the manatee as I'm not aware of any other marine mammal that chooses that close contact as often as the manatee does. And I've had them approach me from behind and surprise me in W Palm, Boca Grande and Key Largo also so it isn't a "Crystal River" thing, that is just how they are sometimes. And of course sometimes they just want to be left alone (like us).......

The manager of the refuge there has a big conundrum on his hands as to how to specify and enforce new manatee laws, regulations and limits for the future 15 year plan and I don't envy him. We can only hope it will still allow polite photographers like yourself (and myself.... ) to capture these unforgettable moments and educate others with our images. Good luck on the book!

Sincerely, Carol

Michael,

 

I like these - also I like 1613 too, cause I'm a sucker for manatee behavior... It is amazing how flexible their flippers are and how many uses they come up with for them!

 

I think your 1617 is good too because it clearly illustrates a point that with the manatee it is often not possible to keep a specified distance from them (as it seems this person is finding out a bit to his dismay). This is very unique with the manatee as I'm not aware of any other marine mammal that chooses that close contact as often as the manatee does. And I've had them approach me from behind and surprise me in W Palm, Boca Grande and Key Largo also so it isn't a "Crystal River" thing, that is just how they are sometimes. And of course sometimes they just want to be left alone (like us).......

 

The manager of the refuge there has a big conundrum on his hands as to how to specify and enforce new manatee laws, regulations and limits for the future 15 year plan and I don't envy him. We can only hope it will still allow polite photographers like yourself (and myself.... ) to capture these unforgettable moments and educate others with our images. Good luck on the book!

 

Sincerely, Carol

Hi Carol,

Yeah, it's funny because there are laws that say we can't ride them, but there's nothing in the book saying they can't ride us!

All the best,

mpo