In the winter, manatees ("sea cows") like the warm water of a canal between the Caloosahatchee and Orange Rivers, where the recirculation water from a power station is discharged.
(Linked to Monday Mural.)
The property is owned by Florida Power & Light but maintained as a state park.
Manatees don't have much fat, so they migrate toward warm water when a cold spell hits Florida.
A couple dozen manatees were there when I visited. They spend most of their time submerged, at most exposing their backs. Nostrils appear above the water line for an instant to catch a breath.
This manatee bears scars from boat propellors.
12 comments:
aw i love manatees...so sad how they get beat up and/or killed by the boats :(
This looks like my kind of place! I always enjoy seeing manatees. Such beautiful gentle creatures.
I don't think I've ever seen one up close before. Excellent shots.
Such gentle creatures they are, Jack!
Unfortunately most Manatees bear similar boat propeller marks. They are such gentle creatures. Glad they have found safe and warm water here.
They're such gentle giants.
They are sweet looking. The mural seems to show them in all their laid back poses. Thanks for contributing to this week's Monday Mural.
I think I'll come back as a manatee
I don't think we see them here. Sad that they have to find warm water and therefore get mixed up with dangerous boats.
In Brazil they are called Ox Fish
We're not likely to see these in Washington state. Too bad. They seem like such sweet critters. I'm glad they have a little protection in the state park.
My retired law partner has a condo somewhere down your way. I think she may volunteer here. Or maybe some place like it.
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