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Time for some Manatees
Posted By: slowpez, 02-12-2014, 08:13 AM

We went to Blue Springs, a state park in Florida, to see the manatees. When the ocean temps drop they come inland to enjoy the balmy 72 degree waters of the spring. The day we got there, it was rainy (of course) but their were over 300 manatees counted. This is the first time I managed to get some halfway decent shots of the mammals as they usually look like gray tires laying underwater.



You can get an idea of the numbers here


This guy was eating algae off the dock I was standing on






Hope you enjoyed seeing these beautiful creatures.
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02-12-2014, 03:04 PM   #16
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QuoteOriginally posted by ausmoose Quote
Wow, those are so neat. Haven't heard of them, let alone seen pictures of them before - thanks for enlightening me - awesome shots too.
Thanks a lot. This was the best view we have had of them too.

02-12-2014, 03:07 PM   #17
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Very, very interesting series, Susan. Thank you for posting these. And great captures, too. I like the green in the pics. The Sigma 18-250mm Macro yields great results. #2 is spectacular.
02-12-2014, 05:02 PM   #18
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On numerous trips to Florida (all in my film days) I tried to get good shots of manatees, always without success. On my photos, they always appeared as amorphous gray slugs .

However, you've managed to pull it off, Susan. These look great!!

Jer
02-12-2014, 05:40 PM   #19
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Cool stuff Susan, they must really like to be near people there.

02-13-2014, 07:48 AM   #20
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QuoteOriginally posted by causey Quote
Very, very interesting series, Susan. Thank you for posting these. And great captures, too. I like the green in the pics. The Sigma 18-250mm Macro yields great results. #2 is spectacular.
I am enjoying the Sigma. It has become my walk-around lens.

QuoteOriginally posted by Sailor Quote
On numerous trips to Florida (all in my film days) I tried to get good shots of manatees, always without success. On my photos, they always appeared as amorphous gray slugs .

However, you've managed to pull it off, Susan. These look great!!

Jer
I know what you mean Jer. There were just so many of them it was difficult not to get a good shot.

QuoteOriginally posted by ramseybuckeye Quote
Cool stuff Susan, they must really like to be near people there.
Thank you ramsey.
02-13-2014, 08:09 AM   #21
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Very cool have never seen one of those - will be sure to look if I ever get back to Florida.
02-13-2014, 09:16 AM   #22
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QuoteOriginally posted by daacon Quote
Very cool have never seen one of those - will be sure to look if I ever get back to Florida.
They come in to warm up in the spring waters. The temps in most of these springs is 72 degrees year round so, when the ocean temps drop they travel up rivers to the warmer springs.

02-13-2014, 09:26 AM   #23
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I love the last one!
Great shots!
02-13-2014, 10:57 AM   #24
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QuoteOriginally posted by LaurenOE Quote
I love the last one!
Great shots!
Thanks Lauren.
02-13-2014, 01:18 PM   #25
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Great shots, Susan. I recently got an HD DA 55-300, and I want to get back to Blue Spring for some manatee photos with it.
02-13-2014, 01:27 PM   #26
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QuoteOriginally posted by nparsons13 Quote
Great shots, Susan. I recently got an HD DA 55-300, and I want to get back to Blue Spring for some manatee photos with it.
Thanks. I will keep an eye out for your photos. We waited in line for what seemed hours just to get into the park then thought it might be too crowded to get off any shots but it turned out not to be bad at all. It started raining and that really cleared the place out.
02-13-2014, 02:17 PM   #27
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Interesting animals. Related to our Dugongs I understand, which I unfortunately have not had the pleasure of viewing. Thanks for posting these.
02-13-2014, 02:20 PM   #28
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QuoteOriginally posted by Bruce Clark Quote
Interesting animals. Related to our Dugongs I understand, which I unfortunately have not had the pleasure of viewing. Thanks for posting these.
At least the name manatee sounds a little more attractive than Dugongs . Thanks for having a look.
02-13-2014, 02:30 PM   #29
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Nice shots you got Susan. TFS. I live close to the Indian River near Daytona and have photographed these animals in the river near my house. They are quite shy in the wild, but I've managed a few nose shots.
02-13-2014, 03:51 PM   #30
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QuoteOriginally posted by photolady95 Quote
Nice shots you got Susan. TFS. I live close to the Indian River near Daytona and have photographed these animals in the river near my house. They are quite shy in the wild, but I've managed a few nose shots.
Thanks Mar. I think we got lucky with having so many. They were literally stacked on top of one another.
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