Really lousy images, but a really great moment.

[Canon_Bob]

So my normal routine is to pick my target location for shooting, and if that one has no activity, I plan for at least one or more alternate locations in the area where I will usually find plenty of wildlife/birds. Today, option 1 was a bust, so I was on my way to option 2 when some movement on the river-side of the road caught my eye. There was absolutely no one else around, so I just pulled off and got out with the 40D and 100-400...thinking that I had seen a shark that had swum up river a bit (The Caloosahatchee River dumps into the Gulf of Mexico here in Fort Myers). To my surprise, several Manatee were playing in the water within mere feet of the river bank! I sat there for 30 minutes and just enjoyed the moment. The images suck, as the light was behind them, the water was murky, and there was no way to get down to water level safely....but who cares. This was a once in a lifetime experience. For the entire time they were there, absolutely no one else was around. Many times they breached the surface, they were within arms reach! I stayed until they eventually swam off. I eventually wound up at "option 2", and captured some great shorebird images....but this was what made my morning. This is the first time I've ever seen Manatee in the wild.

For anyone who doesn't know what a Manatee is, it's basically a very large mammal that resembles a cow with a big beaver-like tail. They are very big (about 600 to 900 pounds), and about 9 feet long. They are very endangered, with only about 1000 to 3000 left in existence. This was a rare treat.

I apologize for the quality of the images, but this was all about the experience, and not the photography. There is no PP on these at all, This is just how they came out of the camera.

[mn shutterbug]

That would be so cool to see one of these docile animals. Thanks for sharing.

[SenorNikonMan]

Wow Bob, that's great! That's the kind of thing that very few ever get to see and something that you will never forget. Reminds me of the day I was fortunate enough to see a whale breeching in Alaska. I am very glad I had my camera with me, but even if I hadn't had it, I would've been very happy just to sit back and watch as he made jump after jump.

Btw, the images may be "lousy" in your mind, but I really like that first one and I would be proud to claim that as my own if I had taken it. :thumbsup:

[paulnj]

I have heard " you just missed them" far too many times while in FL over the years, so applaud that find!

[scott-devon]

What an experience that must have been, and you have some shots to remind you of it.
Great day!