Alligators, Manatee and Warm Sandy Beaches

No zoom lens required!

Greetings to All! We are now three weeks in to our winter sabatical, and enjoying our vacation. Although the weather and water have been a bit chilly, especially at night, we have managed to paddle quite a bit. We've re visited some of our favorite places, surfing and capturing the the St. Joseph pennisula point, viewing alligators at the Wakulla river and manatee at Three Sisters. We were joined at St. Joes by Dave Hamilton, and Steve Supenzia and Tracy Colson at Three sisters and Lake Panasofkee. We've explored many new areas, many at Cedar Key. It is quite beautiful here.... the wildlife viewing is unbeatable. Our second visit to Three Sisters gave us the highlight of the trip so far, over one hundred manatee in the spring which is not much bigger than two or three backyard swimming pools. You are not supposed to touch the manatee, but at this proximity and quantity, it was very difficult not to. Some of them are so acclimated to humans, they nuzzle and shove you, roll over for a belly scratch, and look you straight in the eye.... from about 6 inches. This fellow above even kissed me on the lips!