I've lived in Miami Beach for years and travel every day on the 79th Street Causeway, along Biscayne Bay to Miami. I often see dolphins out in the bay and swimming under the bridge but I have never seen a manatee in the wild. Until this year. Two weeks ago I saw one in the bay near the bridge. Had its head sticking out of the water at first and when I got up on the bridge it was under water but its tan figure I could see. They were called sea cows and I can understand why. They are quite large, about the size of a cow. So, that was significant to me since it was the first one I ever saw. Within a week, biking home across the Little River bridge on Biscayne Blvd, I saw one swimming quite rapidly in the river, followed by another then another, in a single file. I couldn't get a pic of those because they were gone so quickly but last week I saw one from that same bridge feeding on the edge of the river. This was my cheap camera that I carry with me so the quality is not so good, but it's also the first manatee I've fotografed in the wild.
wow. that must be amazing. i would love to see one in the wild like that. they are such rare sights. although i'm not likely to see one swimming down the river teign in sunny england.
Wow, indeed =) I'm not sure how you feel about animals' spiritual significance or totems, but to have them come to you so suddenly and frequent! It is a blessing for you, friend
Shale.. I heard over on the gulf coast not too far from the nuke plant there is a place you can go swim with the manatees
Wow, I have only been to Florida two times. Once was Orlando so I didn't see shit besides the night life and hangovers. The other was Vero Beach and we got to see one. Reminds me of the movie "The Water Horse" in a way. Aren't they also referred to as sea cows as a nickname?
The day I took this pic, there was a young man also watching from the bridge. He said he scuba dives and has seen them from underwater and has gone right up to them. They apparently are very gentle and trusting.
Ya, off Belle Meade Island in the little river canal, saw a manatee with her baby at Christmas time! Its downstream from Biscayne blvd.
Manatees are really lovely creatures. It's a shame it is an endangerred specie (but then again, almost every specie is endangered these days )
Manatees are beautiful!! That must of been a wonderful experience. I really want to see one!! I definitely wont see one where I am from... especially not swimming down the Susquehanna river. Hahaha OHHHH Susquehanna!
Hmmm this reminds me of when i was a young child. I live in Fort Lauderdale, which i'm sure you know isn't very far from Miami. I used to live on a canal until i was about 11 years old. Every year, at around this time actually, the manatees would come into our canal waters and stay for a couple of weeks. Families of them, many of them with deep scars on their backs from boat propellers. I can't recall seeing a single manatee without a number of scars on it's back. I always took it for granted that these enormous loving creatures presented themselves so openly to us. So openly that i remember standing down near the water feeding them asparagus from my hands. Such gentle creatures, thank you shale for bringing the memories back. With that said, please, anybody who goes boating in waters that may have manatees, be extra cautious of these gentle beings who take beatings daily from careless boaters.
Congratulations! What a find. It would be a thrill for me to see the dolphins you mention too. http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/album.php?albumid=2479&pictureid=18880
