Manatees & Springs & Amazing Things

In winter when the gulf waters cool down to below 70 degrees the West Indian Manatees head for warmer waters. 

A place they love to "winter over" are the 1st magnitude springs where the year round water temperature is a balmy 72 degrees.

Today December 27 the outside temps were in the 60's snorkeling with these guys in the spring felt heavenly. 

The Manatees, a mama and her calf and two other adults, each probably more than 9 foot long are inquisitive and curious and have no fear of humans.

Manatees are mammals. They breath air and surface every few minutes to breath. They're nicknamed Sea Cows because of their massive size.

The Manatees & I got together today in a fantastic 1st magnitude spring. This means it produces an average of 64 million gallons of pure 72 degree water every 24 hours.

In winter the Bald Cypress Trees that live here along the Suwannee and surroundng the Spring are bare.

Asters bloom in in the winter sun along the slopes of the spring.

By December the Cypress needles have nearly gone and the last of them are pure gold in color.

The cypress that surround the spring are ancient and massive. Some as much as 24 ft. circumference and 60 feet tall. They are awesome living things.

The magnificence contained in this small north Florida bio zone can only be described as overwhelming. Within the space of less than one acre is the beautiful clear First Maginitude spring; the gigantic, friendly and amazing West Indian Manatees that swim in its waters; and the ancient and amazing Bald Cypress that live along its banks.

 It is a holy & sacred place and I am always awed and humbled when I'm here.