Wild Manatee Kiss - Orchid Board

prem · #1 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 03:44 AM

Not really a pet, but...there didn't seem to be anywhere else more appropriate for this post:

Right now, there are a number of Florida Manatees (a subspecies of the West Indian Manatee) taking refuge from colder winter waters at Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, Florida. This particular individual was very close to a landing where folks usually head out into the water to swim (no swimming is allowed while manatees are present in winter time). As it surfaced to take a breath, I got this nice shot of its whiskery, ugly-but-cute face.

Canon Digital Rebel XTi, 1/100s, f5.0, EF 70-300mm IS lens, polarizing filter to mute the water reflections.

---Prem

Sandy4453 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 08:42 AM

Great pic! These creatures are just amazingly gentle and trusting. I love them. My uncle, Gus looked just like them.

cb977 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 09:53 AM

Thanks Prem,

I love manatees, they're such gentle giants

Being in Spring Hill, I'm rather close to Crystal River where lots and lots of them make their home. We go on a river tour at least once a year and get to see lots of them

Dorothy · #4 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 10:04 AM

It's soooooo cute .. I love these little buggers

Sandy .. you need to post a photo of your Uncle Gus

I'd love to see him

playtime8978 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 11:18 AM

Aweeee he is adorable I think sometimes the uglier they are the cuter they are in the animal world, What a darling I would love to come over there and see them for myself, maybe one day when I finally get over to see my friends in Florida I can go get a kiss off a manatee

Becky15349 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 12:05 PM

How sweet!!! This is a great picture, I've never seen one of these in person but I'd love to!!

DebsC · #7 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009, 01:40 AM

He's adorable!!! And you really got a great picture of him.

Thanks a bunch for sharing with us!

susiep · #8 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009, 01:50 AM

Great picture, Prem! Thanks for sharing!

Sandy4453 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorothy

Sandy .. you need to post a photo of your Uncle Gus

I'd love to see him

Next time I look through all the family pics, Dorothy....absolutely!

camille1585 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009, 06:38 PM

Awe, that manatee is so cute with only it's big nose sticking out of the water! They are such wonderful creatures. One of my friends has been obsessed with them for years. She has some really great pics of them as well.