Manatees and More from the Florida Springs http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html Here are photographs from the winter ‘05-’06 manatee season at Crystal River, Florida and some additional pictures of some of the other residents of Crystal and Rainbow Rivers. Check out the diving anhinga!! Keeping up with that bird wore me out!! Most photos here taken with my camera setup of 2005 to early 2006 - a Fuji F810 camera in manual mode/Inon 105AD wide angle lens/Inon underwater strobes (when used) + accessories. Sunrise, steam coming off the water on a clear, cold (40 degree) am -perfect for manatee encounters http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#0 631749c8-49ca-46b9-8bfc-4ada24ef9907 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/crystalriver_sunrise_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/crystalriver_sunrise_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Sunrise, steam coming off the water on a clear, cold (40 degree) am -perfect for manatee encounters</p></div></div> Three Sister’s Spring, Crystal River FL. This sanctuary is right outside 3 sister’s, swim up the far channel http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#1 3228157f-93c2-481a-b84f-5b9937033839 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/3_sisters_topside_web%20copy/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/3_sisters_topside_web%20copy/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Three Sister’s Spring, Crystal River FL.  This sanctuary is right outside 3 sister’s, swim up the far channel</p></div></div> Manny the Manatee coming up for a scratch http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#2 20ea31e2-f3fd-4f45-986e-8925331f55ca http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_manny_up_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_manny_up_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Manny the Manatee coming up for a scratch</p></div></div> Manny the Manatee looking for some fun while mom sleeps! http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#3 5ccd5718-7f79-4ea0-8650-e90d1c6f4595 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_manny_face_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_manny_face_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Manny the Manatee looking for some fun while mom sleeps!</p></div></div> Manny taking a breath http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#4 58949c15-0592-4efe-9514-0abda88b14cf http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_manny_breath_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_manny_breath_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Manny taking a breath</p></div></div> Manatee have very “soulful” looks. http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#5 dca201ac-3ed3-4b22-9463-4ca5e55fe2f1 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_scratch_please_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_scratch_please_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Manatee have very “soulful” looks.</p></div></div> What could be better than rainbows on a friendly manatee? http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#6 0a45acf7-8a1d-47cf-a090-d288f5eb2e35 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_rainbow_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_rainbow_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">What could be better than rainbows on a friendly manatee?</p></div></div> Manatee surface to breathe about every 20 min when resting http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#7 b1f627d3-ba56-4682-b473-35ac1e3ef020 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_breath_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_breath_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Manatee surface to breathe about every 20 min when resting</p></div></div> Manatee are into FUN. This one is doing a barrell-roll over Carol http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#8 e2383d97-1a13-4daa-bfd1-7c3f092a07e9 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_barrel_roll_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_barrel_roll_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Manatee are into FUN.  This one is doing a barrell-roll over Carol</p></div></div> Adult manatee surfacing near the larger of the 3 sister’s springs http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#9 4f2817ff-2e17-4218-9240-b5236530e93f http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_surfacing_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_surfacing_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Adult manatee surfacing near the larger of the 3 sister’s springs</p></div></div> A proud mom posing with her child http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#10 6e5fc2e7-ff1d-4d92-a9c6-972ce5041fe4 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatees_mon_child_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatees_mon_child_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">A proud mom posing with her child</p></div></div> Manatee nurse their young for up to two years http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#11 678fd966-04d2-4781-b4c5-3050e169af97 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_nursing_baby_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_nursing_baby_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Manatee nurse their young for up to two years</p></div></div> What is REALLY meant by “Rollin on the River”. http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#12 39fcd52c-0f58-446b-b2a2-11c8b3471ce1 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_rolling_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_rolling_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">What is REALLY meant by “Rollin on the River”.</p></div></div> This just illustrates my main problem w/manatee. They are so curious I can’t fin backwards fast enough! http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#13 81da75a9-cfe0-44df-a970-d39530c0590a http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_tooclose_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_tooclose_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">This just illustrates my main problem w/manatee.  They are so curious I can’t fin backwards fast enough!</p></div></div> Carol photoing Mo the orphaned manatee’s tracking buoy. Photo Copyright Steve Dohring. Thanks Steve! http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#14 47bfb404-b017-4da7-ab09-d89854900e91 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Carol_photo_Mo_manatee_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Carol_photo_Mo_manatee_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Carol photoing Mo the orphaned manatee’s tracking buoy.  Photo Copyright Steve Dohring.  Thanks Steve!</p></div></div> Mo’s tracking buoy http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#15 fd02945f-8088-40f2-99f7-d8ec1c96089d http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Mo_manatee_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Mo_manatee_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Mo’s tracking buoy</p></div></div> Even when the viz isn’t great manatee are still a load of fun http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#16 0c421aca-b664-463a-a344-190c85734f61 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_party_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_party_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Even when the viz isn’t great manatee are still a load of fun</p></div></div> Oh, my...., early am - woke me up! Intimate love-play between adolescent male and female http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#17 14b22322-179c-4d1f-8cce-abf7ad462eba http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_love_play_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_love_play_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Oh, my...., early am - woke me up!  Intimate love-play between adolescent male and female</p></div></div> Female is on top http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#18 367dd593-2ece-4d54-8ed3-f462892a34a1 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_love_play2_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_love_play2_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Female is on top</p></div></div> You aren’t allowed to disturb manatee while photoing, nothing I could have done would disturb these two! http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#19 9949b91f-63c8-44bb-a1f7-2cff46c7871f http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_love_play_resumed_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_love_play_resumed_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">You aren’t allowed to disturb manatee while photoing, nothing I could have done would disturb these two!</p></div></div> They didn’t even notice I was there..... http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#20 1a64a4ee-c4a7-466b-bfac-63a2986964da http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_love_again_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_love_again_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">They didn’t even notice I was there.....</p></div></div> The manatee’s closest relative is the elephant. They use their snouts for many things http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#21 c73c6da5-a59a-4f7e-b05a-5b1cd7b33b87 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_snout_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_snout_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">The manatee’s closest relative is the elephant.  They use their snouts for many things</p></div></div> A breath and a stretch all at once. http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#22 7b57b1b3-801f-4c8e-bf44-07e1db74734b http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_yawn_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_yawn_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">A breath and a stretch all at once.</p></div></div> I call this one “Harry” cause if you look close there is a shadow that looks like, well you know what! http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#23 de1ec1b5-2d77-4c9c-a7c0-6605801d491a http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manate_surfacing_half_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manate_surfacing_half_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">I call this one “Harry” cause if you look close there is a shadow that looks like, well you know what!</p></div></div> Manatee often appear to “smile”. I think it suits them cause they truly are kind and docile creatures. http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#24 8e7721a7-299d-4c2a-aab2-cf6b8a8270f9 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_smileby_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_smileby_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Manatee often appear to “smile”.  I think it suits them cause they truly are kind and docile creatures.</p></div></div> Manatee having a nice rest near the larger of the springs at 3 Sisters http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#25 8f2a01b9-ce79-473a-8510-063f05d76505 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_sleep_spring_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_sleep_spring_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Manatee having a nice rest near the larger of the springs at 3 Sisters</p></div></div> Not much food at the springs, but this manatee found something? http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#26 ccc4d1a1-67c5-42c3-ab64-a48fca55a6b4 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_feeding_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_feeding_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Not much food at the springs, but this manatee found something?</p></div></div> Would you like to have a scratch on this log too? http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#27 442f39af-729d-4f47-b214-e82c448d5cd9 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_log_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_log_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Would you like to have a scratch on this log too?</p></div></div> Manatee seize every opportunity to scratch! http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#28 e5523ca4-5ead-4b17-8b81-0d66299aa353 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_scratch_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_scratch_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Manatee seize every opportunity to scratch!</p></div></div> My hubby Theo making a friend by scratching in a particularly hard-to-reach spot. Manatee revel in scratching! http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#29 5a642e5a-05b0-4c5a-9f31-39bb19b9af88 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_Theo_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_Theo_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">My hubby Theo making a friend by scratching in a particularly hard-to-reach spot.  Manatee revel in scratching!</p></div></div> Usually manatee rest on their stomachs, no one told “Oskar” he should, he’d just lay on his back for hours, very odd! http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#30 41249d26-f7cd-4d14-a9fc-9c8b6e0b6aa7 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Oskar_manatee_2web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Oskar_manatee_2web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Usually manatee rest on their stomachs, no one told “Oskar” he should, he’d just lay on his back for hours, very odd!</p></div></div> There are actually quite mild for prop scars, but they are fresh http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#31 dd539aa4-173c-44d1-94be-d9fb4615007f http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_scars_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_scars_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">There are actually quite mild for prop scars, but they are fresh</p></div></div> Manatee are in danger from boats due to the slow, quiet way they surface in shallow waters. http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#32 de659496-0a5c-4202-b324-d1052b62fd8e http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_surface2_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_surface2_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Manatee are in danger from boats due to the slow, quiet way they surface in shallow waters.</p></div></div> Anhinga at 3 Sister’s Spring http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#33 d561e4c4-aa01-47e9-b043-1cd6e3d6a4ba http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Cormorant_surfacing2_vertical%20copy_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Cormorant_surfacing2_vertical%20copy_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Anhinga at 3 Sister’s Spring</p></div></div> Anhinga fishing under the roots http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#34 12591a1d-29ea-427a-902d-86344119022e http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Cormorant_roots2_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Cormorant_roots2_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Anhinga fishing under the roots</p></div></div> Anhinga surfacing after a dive http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#35 9cc5b9c1-ee9f-4558-9d55-b81e872a21a5 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Cormorant_breath_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Cormorant_breath_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Anhinga surfacing after a dive</p></div></div> Anhinga going for a fish, alas - I missed the shot with the fish when he came out. http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#36 1096f50a-44db-4119-9815-b8d5419192b9 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Cormorant_fishing_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Cormorant_fishing_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Anhinga going for a fish, alas - I missed the shot with the fish when he came out.</p></div></div> Anhinga are very hard to keep up with underwater. http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#37 a02c9124-378d-4148-a2e2-89a6fe21aab7 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Cormorant_3sisters_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Cormorant_3sisters_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Anhinga are very hard to keep up with underwater.</p></div></div> I don’t have the correct lens for these under/overs, but see the possibilities? http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#38 f117a5fc-e7c8-448f-b2fd-c438603feb04 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Cormorant_on_log_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Cormorant_on_log_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">I don’t have the correct lens for these under/overs, but see the possibilities?</p></div></div> Large (7ft) tarpon also hang out at the Main Spring, Crystal River. http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#39 7779fd83-681b-4455-b6bd-ad7aa851a3b9 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Tarpon_crystalriver2_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Tarpon_crystalriver2_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Large (7ft) tarpon also hang out at the Main Spring, Crystal River.</p></div></div> I finally got close to a Florida Largemouth Bass under the roots at 3 Sisters. http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#40 50f3108b-7a8f-4951-9288-1a53d986c904 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Bass_3sisters_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Bass_3sisters_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">I finally got close to a Florida Largemouth Bass under the roots at 3 Sisters.</p></div></div> Sometimes my pics aren’t great but the behavior is. A bass swimming under a manatee anhinga & cormorants do this too! http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#41 083b8980-744f-4f50-a70e-0d33d8c7edcb http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_bass_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Manatee_bass_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Sometimes my pics aren’t great but the behavior is.  A bass swimming under a manatee anhinga &amp; cormorants do this too!</p></div></div> Other residents of 3 Sister’s, a yellowbelly cooter freshwater turtle http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#42 83328dee-e898-4be1-8a82-620907df03c1 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Yellowbelly_slider_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Yellowbelly_slider_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Other residents of 3 Sister’s, a yellowbelly cooter freshwater turtle</p></div></div> Florida cooter (redbelly?), 3 Sister’s Spring, Crystal River http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#43 a8e423d3-f583-4216-b680-9970236cc5a0 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/FL_redbelly_turtle_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/FL_redbelly_turtle_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Florida cooter (redbelly?), 3 Sister’s Spring, Crystal River</p></div></div> On to the lovely Rainbow River near Dunnellon, Florida http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#44 dc518571-8f9b-4c2b-af8f-409409937873 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Rainbow_river_Fl_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Rainbow_river_Fl_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">On to the lovely Rainbow River near Dunnellon, Florida</p></div></div> Rainbow River under, looking up http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#45 a4178ffb-ce2d-4479-9c1c-676ad9fbf856 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/RainbowRiver_from_below_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/RainbowRiver_from_below_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Rainbow River under, looking up</p></div></div> Rainbow River, under looking up at minnows http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#46 3bdb820c-bc5c-4656-a52e-da791a18ebb2 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Minnows_below_rainbowriver_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Minnows_below_rainbowriver_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Rainbow River, under looking up at minnows</p></div></div> Theo snorkeled while I dove, he tried to keep track of me, Rainbow River http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#47 390b6f49-0337-4e90-af76-9dd387a14d0f http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Theo_rainbow_river_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Theo_rainbow_river_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Theo snorkeled while I dove, he tried to keep track of me, Rainbow River</p></div></div> The bowfin, an ancient fish that gulps air, Rainbow River, FL http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#48 e5976f05-6ddd-4a99-8d70-c50e0ca522a7 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Bowfin_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Bowfin_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">The bowfin, an ancient fish that gulps air, Rainbow River, FL</p></div></div> Longnose gar can grow in excess of 6 feet long, lots of them at Rainbow River, thrilling! http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#49 8c6879fa-0495-4488-bf3e-ea06c88a2407 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Gar_single_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Gar_single_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Longnose gar can grow in excess of 6 feet long, lots of them at Rainbow River, thrilling!</p></div></div> Longnose gar in early stages of mating, smaller males gather around large female and nuzzle - a rare look. http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#50 811c05af-634f-401c-ba43-b3a07f4079d6 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Gar_mating2_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Gar_mating2_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Longnose gar in early stages of mating, smaller males gather around large female and nuzzle - a rare look.</p></div></div> Two males with female here. I understand the eggs are laid on blades of grass and look like caviar. http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees.html#51 5e6a7e43-112e-4ef5-8ec2-5542530048a6 http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Gar_mating_web/thumb.jpg http://oceangrant.com/OG/Manatees_files/Media/Gar_mating_web/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Two males with female here.  I understand the eggs are laid on blades of grass and look like caviar.</p></div></div>