Manatees visit

This week we spent two days in Crystal River with exceptional warm weather (running up to 80 F). Viz was poor outside but better inside the springs

You now need to obtain a permit if you want to dive under the surface with your snorkel to 'shoot' the manatees. For first results see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fttpwwwflickr...57629064342593/

Cheers Al

Nice pics; where does one obtain the permit? Clearly you had one.

Nice pics; where does one obtain the permit? Clearly you had one.

You have to contact the Manatee centre in Crystal River (mr. Ivan Vicente). If you have no commercial interest

the permit is free (otherwise it costs 100 dolars). They give you a yellow vest to wear while snorkeling.

looks like you had lots of fun :-)

looks like you had lots of fun :-)

here you see a snorkeler with the required yellow vest!

Bye Al

and here one of our shots in the spring

Bye Al

and another

I'm hopefully going next week. What lens/body were you using? I'm in Florida shooting caves, so am wondering if I should run with 15mm fisheye or 17-40mm on 5d3.

Thanks, ds

Fisheye is generally the better option.

Agree on fisheye. I used a Tokina 10-17mm. Also, I'd recommend avoiding strobes. You can use them if you purchase a $100 license, have diffusers on and limit to one flash every 5 seconds. However, I found there was so much particulate in the water that no strobes was best for eliminating back scatter.

Thanks guys, I was also wondering about strobes. Am heading out there Monday-Tueaday and I hear the manatees are there and water is quite clear.

Hopefully it won't be raining like it is here I'm Marianna right now.

Regards, Damien

I was during the same period at the 3 sisters spring and was able to shoot without any permit; I didn't use strobes

That are some rally cool animals.

I would also vote for a Fisheye. You can usually get very close to them.

Here also very beautiful pictures . I must go there !!

The best thing to do is join a local company, like Birds Underwater, that have a good reputation in the area. Their boats take 6 persons, but you can also arrange a boat for a smaller group (like two persons) which costs somewhat more money. Early in the morning (say 7 o'clock) is the best time to go to the Springs. Later you will have the kayak people and other boats that are moving in.

I'm hopefully going next week. What lens/body were you using? I'm in Florida shooting caves, so am wondering if I should run with 15mm fisheye or 17-40mm on 5d3. Thanks, ds

that was Nikon D7000 with Tokina 10-17. Fish eye seems to be the best choice. My best shots were inside the springs with clear water. You could even try an 'under-over' shot to capture some of the nice vegetation and trees around the springs.. But even under the surface you can get a nice (albeit distorted) view of the surface and background vegetation. Try to be on the same level or a bit below the manatee with the camera tilted slightly upward. And don't chase them! Good luck..Al