Before it was forbidden, there was one housing development in The Everglades. You can see the houses are shuttered because it’s hurricane season. The manatees love to hang around the docks there because the water is shallow & warm. They have no body fat & last winter was a cold one for Florida & hundreds of them died. They also hang around the houses because they drink fresh water. In the brackish water of the Everglades the top layer is fresh but by these houses the manatees get the run off sprinkler water & people use their hoses for the manatees to drink from. Our guide said he had never seen any without propeller scars. These manatees go in & out the channel to the Gulf with the tides twice a day. They need to go for the sea grass & then return here for the water & warmth.
Manatees are friendly but hard to photograph since I had to stay in the boat. This is alligator territory. Sharks, alligators, etc. don't bother the manatees. Their only enemy is man.
Excellent pictures! It's like we're right there with you, only from the comfort of our living room. Oh, and one more thing... WE MISS YOU here in the Evil Vortex! Keep the pictures coming and we'll have the margaritas ready upon your return.
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