December refuge for Manatees

Our last day in Daytona, we headed to Blue Spring State Park where a large population of Manatees takes up winter residence to enjoy the warm spring-fed water.  There were over 130 manatees in the park for our visit, plus an amazing variety of birds, not to mention armadillos and alligators.

There they are!




This manatee was not happy with his tracking device and appeared to
be trying very hard to get it off!

 



Not sure this lady on the kayak was supposed to be there,
but all the manatees took notice and made
immediate beelines over, to check out this
"strange blue thing" in their midst.





This alligator sat up when the manatees passed too close;
apparently infringing on his personal space.