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This is totally random, but I REALLY wanted to share these amazing videos I took while visiting Blue Springs State Park the weekend before last with my family. Because of the cooler weather in Central Florida recently, manatees were flocking to the warm springs at Blue Springs by the dozens – at one time, I think I counted up to about 20, but there were definitely more around, hiding in the brush.

I grew up in Central Florida and went on many field trips to Blue Springs, but hadn’t been back to see the manatees since I left in 1986, but my father still lives there, so my fiancée and I took the opportunity to pick up his son and head over to the park with my father and step-mom. Here’s one of the videos I took (it was quite possibly the most beautiful day ever!):

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rATQVRGjUt0

and another:

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot3oQAtDTl4

The thing that was so awesome about seeing the manatees this time, was that I didn’t see one whose back was scarred and cut up from boat propellers. When I was younger, and visited the park for school, we would hardly ever see one whose back WASN’T scarred, maybe only the very young ones hadn’t had run-ins with boats yet. Boats near the state park protected area are supposed to slow down, or idle their motors passing through, so as not to injure or kill manatees, and it seems to be working (although while there, I did witness a larger boat moving through very fast…).

Anyway, it was such a wonderful opportunity – my fiancée and his son had never seen manatee before, so it was very cool for them to have a chance to see so many, and for me to be able to share it with them. If you ever have a chance to visit Blue Springs in the winter time (maybe while you’re there at Disney World?), definitely go – you will not be sorry! Just check with the state park beforehand to see if there have been many recent manatee sightings…

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