Part of our trip to Florida Wakulla Springs, what a delightful, beautiful place.
How so much more of Florida must been like this. Just look at the crystal clear water. This is in the part of Florida they call The Bend, south of Tallahasse the capital. In the Panhandle area.
If you can see the two shadows in the water in the photo above, they are a mother manatee and her baby.
Of course an alligator.
Rob and I spent a delightful morning here and only wish we had had more time to just stay and swim in the designated beach and swim area.
Several movies have been filmed over the years here, including some Tarzan moves and The Creature From the Black Lagoon. In fact Ricou Browning a life guard here in the fifties parleyed his being offered the stunt man job for the Black Lagoon movie, into a career in the movie industry, even working on a James Bond movie.
Some of the photos are mine and some were taken by Rob.
Christy
How so much more of Florida must been like this. Just look at the crystal clear water. This is in the part of Florida they call The Bend, south of Tallahasse the capital. In the Panhandle area.
If you can see the two shadows in the water in the photo above, they are a mother manatee and her baby.
BASIC FACTS ABOUT FLORIDA MANATEES
The Florida manatee, Florida’s state marine mammal, is a large aquatic relative of the elephant. They are grayish brown in color and have thick, wrinkled skin on which there is often a growth of algae. Their front flippers help them steer or sometimes crawl through shallow water. They also have powerful flat tails that help propel them through the water. Despite their small eyes and lack of outer ears, manatees are thought to see and hear quite well.
© Brian Skerry / National Geographic Stock
Diet
Did You Know?
Manatees only have molars, which are used to grind food. As they wear down and fall out, they are replaced with new teeth.
Manatees are herbivores; they eat marine and freshwater plants.
Range
Manatees take up residence primarily in Florida’s coastal waters during winter. Some individuals migrate as far north as the Carolinas or as far west as Louisiana in summer. Manatees have swum as far north as Cape Cod, Massachusetts in recent years!
Behavior
Manatees can be found in the warm waters of shallow rivers, bays, estuaries and coastal waters. Rarely do individuals venture into waters that are below 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Did You Know?
Manatees only breathe through their nostrils, since while they are underwater their mouths are occupied with eating! A manatee's lungs are 2/3 the length of its body.
Well known for their gentle, slow-moving nature, manatees have also been known to body surf or barrel roll when playing. They normally rest and feed often. Manatees communicate by squealing under water to demonstrate fear, stress or excitement.
Reproduction
Mating Season: No specific period.
Gestation: About 1 year.
Number of offspring: 1 calf.
Calves are born weighing between 60 and 70 pounds and measuring about 3-4 feet. They nurse underwater.
Gestation: About 1 year.
Number of offspring: 1 calf.
Calves are born weighing between 60 and 70 pounds and measuring about 3-4 feet. They nurse underwater.
Of course an alligator.
Rob and I spent a delightful morning here and only wish we had had more time to just stay and swim in the designated beach and swim area.
Several movies have been filmed over the years here, including some Tarzan moves and The Creature From the Black Lagoon. In fact Ricou Browning a life guard here in the fifties parleyed his being offered the stunt man job for the Black Lagoon movie, into a career in the movie industry, even working on a James Bond movie.
Some of the photos are mine and some were taken by Rob.
Christy
The photos are fantastic. What a beautiful place
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