Manatee Relaxing

Here's a shot I took yesterday of a young male manatee relaxing and rolling in the sand (plus messing up viz a bit!). "Rollin' on the River" - I do believe.........

I like the colors, and the thought came to me that this sort of scene has played itself out for hundreds & hundreds of years, but now is at risk if we don't save it. Best, Carol

Hi, I love your manatee shots. We're going down in late March to meet with Robyn, they should still be around, right? How cold is the water? No diving, just snorkeling, is that correct. Thanks, Scott ps. Please post more!

Hi, I love your manatee shots. We're going down in late March to meet with Robyn, they should still be around, right? How cold is the water? No diving, just snorkeling, is that correct. Thanks, Scott ps. Please post more!

Thanks Scott, I like the manatee shots too! That's why I spend so much effort and time, planning and being cold: to observe the manatee and get compelling photographs.

Late March they may be mostly gone, or a few might be there; you never know as it depends how soon it warms up. March is a difficult month to go, with busy spring break and temps warming up, manatee chances get slim. But you never know as we had late cold-fronts last season. Snorkel there, but you can dive the lovely Rainbow River if there are no manatee (during the week if you want it crystal clear and not stirred up).

Best, Carol

ja ja, it seems a little cat

its a beautiful shot, but, think about one from the bottom, close to the animal...it could be a BIG shot

its a beautiful shot, but, think about one from the bottom, close to the animal...it could be a BIG shot

Yes, Juan and I do have several from the bottom & close. Problem is the manatee was stirring up silt; plus the greenish water beginning to infiltrate the springs was cloudy....., so only way to get a "clearish" view of the scene and get any good light was to shoot from above. Gotta love manatee and how easy they make it for us!

Thanks, Carol

Carol, what month do you think is best to visit your freinds?

Carol, what month do you think is best to visit your freinds?

I would say the coolest month is the best month, cool but light winds, but we don't know that now do we? (Or we would make a mint predicting the weather).

I'd say December is best (if it is cool?), but not around Xmas/New Year's ; then generally January seems to be the most reliable, but waters can be stirred up more with stronger cold fronts/winds. Earlier in the season is always better. February 09 with President's Day being early (don't go between Feb 12 and Feb 22nd 09 as it will be too too busy), & March with early Daylight Savings Time and Spring Breaks, Feb/March will both be tough months and too crowded a lot of the time.

Oh, water is 68-72 and air can be from 30 degrees to 60 degrees in the am - don't go if it is warmer than that in the am.

As said, manatees don't exactly make it easy for us...... Best, Carol

thanks, maybe we should ask robyn if she could join us in late jan.....scott