Manatees in Crystal River, FL

[krviera]

Taken at Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River, FL with Nikon D200 and Nikkor 28-105mm with Ikelite housing.

Bottom Resting Manatees

Random person taking picture...

Taking a breath...

[jasonp]

Cool critters! We were there last year too. Unfortunately I didn't have an underwater camera. Nice shots.

[PhotosbyHollyWood]

okay all these picture of the sea elephants are making m want to book a trip to florida again ad go to blue springs....

[krviera]

Thank you both.... Holly, forget about blue springs and just come down to Crystal River. If you do, let me know so we can shoot together. I work at the Crystal River NWR as the Deputy Refuge Manager.

[PhotosbyHollyWood]

Originally Posted by krviera

Thank you both.... Holly, forget about blue springs and just come down to Crystal River. If you do, let me know so we can shoot together. I work at the Crystal River NWR as the Deputy Refuge Manager.

really.. I would love to meet up with and shoot with you if and when I make it down there and with you creditials hahaha we are bound to get some great shots in..

now I need to look into renting some under water equipment now!!! and looking at airfare... stay at home mommy of twins working a measly JOB at night... hmm... best value here I come!!!

[arlon]

Poor critters. Are there any of them that haven't been hit by a boat prop??

[DarkHorse]

I saw a show on them along time ago, they were supposed to be protecting them from motor-boats,
i see its not working,
there such cool critters, so docile,

[krviera]

Holly, there are a lot of dive shops and tour operators that rent the equipment here. I think that you would be better off just purchasing an inexpensive snorkeling setup than renting if you stay multiple days. About my credentials, well, the bay is open to anyone and I can only go where the public can since the sanctuaries are off limits even to us. If you come down, let me know.

Arlon and John, the state has speed zones and other boating regulations to protect manatees in heavily used areas. It is true that they still get hit when they travel off the speed zones, but things are still better than they used to be. Thankfully manatees seem to heal relatively well from prop cuts, the biggest problem is the actual strike since it can brake the ribs and puncture organs causing internal bleeding. I was wondering when you asked about any of them not being hit, since non of the manatees above have any cuts on them. The white marks that you see in their bodies are actually light marks caused by the sunlight coming through the water.

[DarkHorse]

i stand corrected, my apologys,
and good info to know,
thank you,

johnp

[arlon]

Keith, I just looked closer and what I thought where prop scars are actually shadows cast from needle fish suspended above them in the first picture. A few are even parallel about the space of a props pitch apart. My bad.. I used to live in Homestead in the late 60's and there where a number of manitees there then, almost all had prop scars (no regs then). I doubt there are many of them around Biscayne bay anymore. Glad to hear they are protecting them as best they can! Arlon

[krviera]

No need to apologize, manatees are still getting hit and I just got lucky that the ones in the photos don't have any scars. Unfortunately you still see plenty animals with scars while riding around the bay, some are old scars but some not so old. We do what we can to enforce the speed zones, but there are still a lot idiots out there that have no business being in a boat.