When the air and water temperature drops manatee seek warmer waters. On the morning we visited Blue Spring State Park the count was 403 manatees in the lagoon according to information at the park entrance.
At the spot where 104 million gallons of water enters the lagoon daily visitors were treated to the cavorting of a small group of manatees in the 72 degree water. 
They played follow the leader, rolled around and hugged one another.
… there were nose kisses
… and splashing of tails
It was well worth getting up early for the 2 hour trip to the park and standing outdoors in the cool morning air to see it all happen.
Patty Charles 
How cool is that! Again…you know what I am going to say….JEALOUS!
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Thanks Tammy glad you enjoyed, you look good in green, lol 🙂
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Awesome, Patty!! Your photos tell me to go see them… NOW!!
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Thanks Janet! When you go please find the lens hood I lost there, lol!
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Ohhh, OK… I will look for it, ha!!
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Now that’s something I’d like to experience…
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I could watch them for hours!
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What a marvelous sight! We have never visited Florida, but seeing your photos makes us want to do just that.
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Awww Thanks so much!! I can be your tour guide as long as you don’t want to go to theme parks LOL 🙂
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Great photos of some strange animals. Looks like you had a great time watching and photographing the manatees.
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Thank you Otto! Yes, they are odd looking and yes I enjoy watching them.
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I like the idea of a manatee group hug and nose kisses all ’round.
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I know isn’t that adorable!!!
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Excellent series ! A Manatee Matinee – none of them look idle. 😀
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Oooo I like your title Manatee Matinee. They didn’t stay in one spot for more than a few seconds.
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Just found this online. 300 manatees in 1 acre. 🙂
http://io9.com/heres-what-it-looks-like-when-300-manatees-gather-in-on-1684518689
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Come to Brisbane and see our Dugongs, Manatee’s Southern Cousins. Great group shots.
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Thank you I would love to travel to see them!!!!
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Very cool! Manatees are lovely animals. Seeing them was one of the highlights when we were in Florida a few years ago. Plan this year is three weeks, all the way to the Dry Totugas, so we hope to see more of them.
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What a wonderful trip you have to look forward to!!!! I have a friend that wants to visit the Keys and am going to share info on Dry Totugas 🙂
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Wow, that must have been a splash:-) great captures.
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It was 🙂 🙂 Thank you!
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A great series of photos!
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It was a fun day! Thanks!!
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I hadn’t realized they were so social. I specially like the one where the manatee has its flipper over the other in an embrace.
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Under normal ocean circumstances they are more solitary individuals but there is something that brings them together when they are in the springs. The hug tugged at my heart too.
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Such unusual creatures…sure don’t look like they’d be very graceful!
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They fascinate me because of their unusual look and size. It is amazing how graceful they are in the water.
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