A Cold Day in Florida

In Florida, when it is cold, it is always a good idea to visit the manatee.
Windy and freezing when we left the beach, it was in the 40's F. when we arrived at Blue Springs. Fortunately, because it was inland, there was no wind... but I wished I had my gloves.
Cormorants lined up at the divide between the river and the spring in the early morning. Who will be the first to take the plunge?

Beautiful scenery along the spring. Megan and I once dove in the boil in the cave in this spring. It was a long walk from the parking lot in our heavy dive gear. I was younger then. 

Maureen taking pictures.

To avoid hypothermia during the cold weather the manatee leave the river and come into Blue Springs to sleep, seeking the warmer, constant, 72 degree water. Later in the day they leave to go to back the river since there is little for them to eat in the spring.
This manatee has an armored suckermouth catfish, an introduced species on its back.  A few years ago, they were like flies around the manatee, a real pest. They weren't as evident this year.

Because of the cold weather there were 260 manatee in that day. 

Pictures finished. 

Good thing we arrived at Blue Springs early in the morning. There was a big lineup to get in the park as we left.
After Blue Springs, we then drove to the coast to do the Volusia Loop, one of the scenic drives in Florida.

This oak tree in Bulow State Park is between 800 to 2000 years old, the oldest in existence.
One of the trails in the park.

The woodstorks, herons and egrets were inland away from the windy beach.
A view of the jetty at Flagler Beach with a surfer in the waves.

Comments

Megan said…
My goodness, everything looks so lush and bright. Today in Toronto there were 20 dump trucks lined up along Bloor street, to cart away excess snow from the side streets (hopefully good news for street parking).
January 23, 2009 at 3:15 p.m.
Hervé and Bryn said…
wow that is a lot of Manatees. At least having cold weather in Florida will make it easier to go back up north.
January 23, 2009 at 4:30 p.m.
The 85 Factor said…
We are looking forward to going to Bulow Park now that we have seen your pictures. We try something new each time we are there. The oldest tree is beautiful.
January 24, 2009 at 6:57 p.m.
Margot said…
I think that's the most manatees I've seen together (at least in a long time). Nice pictures in the park.
January 25, 2009 at 1:52 p.m.
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