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I thought I had missed the Squadron manatee cruise last week, but my friend called this morning to tell me it had been cancelled due to weather and rescheduled today. Did I want to go?

Fort Island boat ramp in Crystal River.


Liz the stern line specialist


Down the channel to the river


Friend Linda does a little Titanic imitation


Going inland on Crystal River


Some of the real estate along the river


A little fixer-upper


Osprey with fish


Landed in a treetop


Another fisher


Entering manatee territory


First manatee sighted. Manatees move up the river to the springs to be in the warmer water. This year there are many here due to the extreme cold temps we’ve had.


This one had just surfaced….missed getting his snout out of the water.


Swimmers and boaters are not allowed in the roped off sanctuaries…it’s a place for the manatees to get some peace and they seem to appreciate it.





Many tour groups bring spectators up the river as well as divers and snorkelers. Swimming with the manatees is still on my someday list.



This is the entrance to Three Sisters Springs. No boats allowed, but you can swim up to the springs.


Some people come in kayaks or canoes to see the manatees.


A school of needlefish


Manatee research


Boaters beware


The Coast Guard is here


Fishermen feeding the pelicans


After viewing the manatees everyone is hungry. Approaching Crackers Restaurant.


An educational sign by the dock.


How about some clam chowder, followed by a grilled grouper sandwich?


Bye now….remember idle speed

Swimming with the manatees is on my bucket list. very nice photos ... thanks!

Cool Liz! Lived in Fla for a few years in St. Petersburg but never got to see where you were altho did see one at a rescue place.

The spring look like nice kayaking waters, also.........Seems you had a very nice surprise today......

How cool would it be to live in one of those houses and see them every day! Thanks Liz!

I see you took a picture of my house,... hee hee.... joking aside, that was a fantastic trip. Thanks for sharing with us all!

I love those fresh water springs. There is something so primevel about that water bubbling out of the Earth.

oh wow, cool, manatees!
I'm speechless

That is exactly where I was last spring! My girlfriend lives on the Crystal River, in fact, just down the street from the Crackers Restaurant! We went kayaking back in the 3 Sisters Springs as well, altho there weren't any manatees there that late in the spring (mid-April). We did see some out in the canals and river tho. Actually got to see two mating, which I guess is rare to see. Sadly, I just read today that over 100 manatees have died over the past two weeks due to the cold temps down there. They can't handle water temps lower than about 65 degrees. Lots of baby manatees didn't survive. Very sad
I had a blast watching the manatees that we saw tho! They almost all have propellar scars on their backs from getting hit by boats. I want to go back down there and actually go snorkling with them. The Crystal River is one of the only places where you are allowed to interact with them. They are so gentle and enjoy having their backs and bellies rubbed. Interestingly and surprisingly, they are closely related to elephants!

Great photos! Looks like the weather was perfect!

Barbie

PS> The house in the photo belongs to John Travolta! It was just being built when I was there and the construction was put on hold for awhile when his son died.

Oh wow! How kool is that. Simply loved that last shot of the Manatee face. hehehehehe

thanks Liz will have to try that one day...really enjoyed the visit
and so enjoyed the pictures
sheila

Love your daily adventures. Never thought of swimming with Manatees..gonna hve to put that on my bucket list for sure. Again great pics.

Beautiful pictures! I remember seeing a few on the beach in Naples, FL. (Mostly big, dark blobs) An official looking person was following it in his sand-mobile. (?) It seemed like an interesting rockstar-bodyguard relationship.

Once again Liz you've given us a great tour. I LOVED the face at the end.