Monday, December 28, 2015

There be Manatees!

Can you believe it - Mom and Dad went all the way down to Blue Springs State Park without us and she even forgot to take Bashful and Sweet Pea !!!! Now admittedly this is one of Florida's silly State Parks - they allow dogs but only in certain places and NOT in the place Mom and Dad went specifically for - to see the Manatees. Sadly there were only two Manatees there today - normally between November and February is when the Manatees head up to Blue Springs but this year because it is so unseasonable warm they haven't arrived. The ocean temperature has to drop below 70 degrees for them to head into the springs and so far it is still at 76 degrees and today here in Florida we hit 85 degrees the hottest ever recorded December day since records have been kept. But at least THEY got to see two manatees and lots of fish and turtles. Mom and Dad visited Blue Springs about 9 years ago and were amazed how much it has changed - the last time they went there was about 20 manatees that day including a little baby one. We are sorry we couldn't get better photos - there was a good breeze blowing that rippled the water making  it hard to get clear shots. There is also an awesome Save the Manatee web site where they have a live Manatee Cam - you can see them playing in the springs if they are there - but they also have some great videos of them too. Did you know Manatees are also one of the few aquatic mammals they can live in both salt water and fresh water.

Notice the white spot on its side - it's a Cowspot Manatee!
This manatee was having fun swimming upside down :)

22 comments:

  1. That is very cool your Mom and Dad got to see the manatees! You have to forgive them if they want to, once in a long time, go somewhere that doesn't allow you guys. You know that Mom and Dad will give you lots of treats and loving when they get back. Good thing you were home to keep Bashful and Sweet Pea anyway.

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  2. OMD OMD a COWSPOT Manatee!! Now that special one ... MORE than makes up fur there not being a whole... HERD of Manatees... Doesn't IT????

    Our mom and dad saw a manatee once... that Some IDIOT had Stuck a Garden Rake into its Back.. the poor thing.. They are such gentle souls... Mom has NEVER forgotten that HORRIBLE SIGHT.

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  3. How cool. They are a strange mammal
    Snorts,
    Lily & Edward

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  4. Wowzers! Those are humongous! That is exciting just to be able to see two of them in their natural habitat. I will go check out that live cam and see if I can spy one. ☺

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  5. Our human Ros is very jealous your humans got to see Manatee as they have always been her favourite animal :) Milo & Jet

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  6. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your photos of the manatees. I so hope to see them some day!

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  7. A Cowspot Manatee, that is something very special. It is so great that they got to see it!

    Ziggy Out!!

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  8. Wow - that is hot weather for December! We need to check out the manatee website. They sound like fun animals!

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  9. omd they really exist... how great! I love that they have even cow spots... and I wish them a long and peaceful manatee-life... they look peaceful somehow... bet they are friendly animals, right?

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  10. Wow, I'm so sorry you didn't get to go along, but my Mom's going all squeeeeee for those cool pix! Gee, those are really interesting critters and one being a cowspot is super fun. Thanks for letting us see!
    Grr and Woof,
    Sarge, Police Commish

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  11. BTW: The crabby girls are all agog over your shell comment. They send their most spectacular claw-clacks and thanks!

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  12. That is so cool!! Mom/dad said they remember several years back they were in Florida and went to see the manatees. They are so adorable!! XOXO - Bacon

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  13. We love manatees!! Although we've never personally seen a wild one. :-( When we visited florida it was the wrong time of the year to see them.
    We just wanted to stop by and wish you a very happy new year and say thank you for the fun card!!!
    ~Wags & Kisses from Dante & Ziva!
    http://www.DzDogs.com

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  14. Oh, how totally cool! (Except for the part about you guys not getting to go!) And how apropos that they saw a Cowspot Manatee!!!!
    Yours sincerely,
    Margaret Thatcher

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  15. Sorry you did not get to go. Those silly FL state park rules ;) Our Mom loves Manatees. The springs are so pretty and quiet it is one of her favorite places to go.

    xoxo,
    Ginger, Matt & Matilda

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  16. Your mom went to swim with the manatees without you? OK, maybe not swim with them but she was there, right?

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  17. I found your site via a post by Bacon. It is really pretty and interesting to read. It was nice of your folks to post pictures even though you weren't allowed to go. Maybe manatees are afraid of dogs??? Mom and I are going to check out more of your posts...

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  18. That must be SSSSOoooooo cool!! We are sorry your peeps didn't bring you along!!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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Thank you for woofing at us - we read each and every one of them