manatee

[big baldo]

OK, I blew it!! I had the perfect chance to get some really unique shots of a group of manatees that were feeding in our lake behind our house. So I waded out to about chest deep and slowly started to walk closer. Soon they were all around me.
This is where the trouble started! Every time they would surface to take a breath I would get a beautiful picture of...........nothing but a swirl in the water!!:mad2:
Here are some that did turn out ok, except for the out of focus one!:mad2: I could have really used Loupeys manual focusing technique!
Oh well, it was an experience..........thanks for looking:thumbsup:

[Loupey]

Man, that had to have been one HECK of an experience!

Anytime any "wildlife" accepts us within their own environment is a special moment that can only be felt and not explained.

I would have enjoyed just the experience even if I didn't have my camera. Great that you had both. That first one looks in focus too.


edit: Oh, btw, can I come to your house and play too!

[AmberC]

That is awesome! Do they come in there often? The manatee was my school mascot in Okinawa Japan lol

Amber

[big baldo]

The manatees are not too common here on the lake. Our lake is part of a river system, so if I see them in the lake, they are usually just passing by. There are springs around and in the winter the manatees will go there for the warm water (constant 72 degrees) coming out of the springs. Its quite a scene to see 10-20 manatees bunched up in crystal clear water.
I really need to go there and try to get some good pictures!!
Thanks for the comments:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[karen m.]

edit: Oh, btw, can I come to your house and play too!

count me in too!

To quote "Animal House' ROAD TRIP!!!!

Those shots were so cool, thanks for sharing.

[Knight]

Good Series BB, how big are these guys, by the splash it made it must be big.

[WesternGuy]

Great images and it must have been an interesting experience. :thumbsup: We have nothing like that here in the Western prairies - maybe I will take a winter holiday and come to Florida and find some.

For anyone who is interested, I found this information - I was quite curious myself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manatee

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[Loupey]

There are springs around and in the winter the manatees will go there for the warm water (constant 72 degrees) coming out of the springs. Its quite a scene to see 10-20 manatees bunched up in crystal clear water.

It might be interesting to get in with them with a cheap waterproof digital P&S (like an Olympus) or a Canon with a waterproof housing.

I'd love to see images of them out in the wild - and that scene you described sounds terrific. If you won't do it, maybe someone might I've got a business trip scheduled to the south in December

[big baldo]

Knight- These can get HUGE!!! Averages around 8-10 feet long at about 1000-2000 lbs. Most times if the waters dirty, all you will see is there noses.

Loupey- Im gonna go to Blue springs and see if they are congregating there yet. If so, I will get in with them and see if I can get some underwater pics. The park states that swimming with manatees is strictly prohibited, but they have to swim through a public swimming area to get to the head of the springs. That is the best chance to get "up close and personal". I'll post more as I get them.
http://www.planetdeland.com/bluesprings/index.htm

[Canon_Bob]

I envy you! I've only seen them in captivity. Would love to see them in the wild (and have a waterproof camera with me!).