My question to you is, “What is up with the manatee not being able to reach where it wants to scratch?  Is this an inherent design flaw in this wonderful mammal?”

It’s not just our friend here above, I don’t think I’ve seen any manatee that can get to that spot to scratch and it is one of the main areas a manatee likes a relieving scratch.  This photo was taken early yesterday morning.  While it was a little too warm for lots of manatee to gather in the shallow, warm springs, I did have the pleasure to hang out with four manatee and two of them were young “teenagers” like the one above.

He does look like he is pleading with me to scratch him under his flipper - an area that is very sensitive and always needs a scratch.  But since I was by myself in the springs taking photographs I couldn’t oblige but soon afterwards he found some submerged tree branches to get some relief.

I’ve seen this behavior over and over in manatee and even manatee in different parts of Florida that I chance upon while scuba diving, swimming or snorkeling.  They try and try to scratch under their flippers and can’t ever quite........

Is this an inherent design flaw? :-0

And you think you have it tough....... :-)

Best, Carol

PS as you can see above it was very early in the morning when I went yesterday.  I knew because it was warm I’d have to go early and sure enough the four manatee I hung out with for over an hour took off a little after 8am.  Also I know many of you have seen other photographs I’ve taken of the springs and may have read that the water is “startlingly clear”.  Yes -- sometimes....!  And then I’ve seen some of the spots that have gin clear water look like chocolate milk also when certain environmental/weather conditions occur.  Yesterday the water wasn’t super clear but wasn’t too bad either; with the thick fog and overcast skies it was a real challenge to find enough light to photograph - thus my “mood” piece above.