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Manatee Springs
After 3 months, we finally left Cape San Blas; we were ready to venture out of our sweet womb space! After a short stint at Ochlokonee River State Park, we headed to Manatee Springs for 3 short nights. This is a natural spring putting out huge volumes of fresh water from 2.5 miles of underground, underwater caverns. We saw huge carp, bream, long-nosed gar, bass and even mullet in the spring water – and of course Manatees! This rates high on our list of pretty places to explore. Click on the pictures for a large version.
 Licia at the catfish pond |
 The catfish pond covered with duckweed |
 A grand oak next to the springs |
 aerial plants above the stream |
 An old cypress stump in the water |
 Reeds and cypress knees on the Suwanee River |
 Stumps and knees |
 The interior cypress swamp |
 Old cypress at the head of the spring |
 A scared armadillo |
 The headwaters cavern |
 The headwaters |
Homosassa Springs
We have been staying at the Chassahowitzka River Lodge, a funky little fishing camp with great folks, just south of Homosassa Springs. Homosassa Springs has the largest concentration of Manatees during the winter. It is also a zoo and wildlife rehab clinic. It is a great place for kids. Plus, we got to see manatees close-up!
 The main springs, headwater of the Homosassa River |
 4 manatees in the main |
 Close-up of a manatee breathing |
 A manatee eating a head of romaine |
 Amanda, a 3,200 pound manatee |
 A volunteer feeding the manatees |
 A Florida panther |
 A snowy egret |
 2 black bears playing |
 Alligator |
 Aidan! |
 2 alligators |
 Crane |
 Flamingos |
 Manatees and volunteer |
 Hippo |
 Jess! |
 Bald eagle |
Hillsborough River State Park
We went from Homosassa Springs to Hillsborough River State Park where we met some great new friends, put out a forest fire at 2:00 in the morning and had some great museum adventures in the Tampa Bay area.
 Rainbow Springs |
 Kids from the Hillsborough River State Park |
 "Snooty" a 55 year-old Manatee in Bradenton Florida at the State Museum |
 Snooty begging for food |
 Snooty eating lettuce |
 More Snooty |
 Jess at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa (MOSI) |
 Peter and Aidan playing with sound at MOSI |
 Jess with his hand on a Vander Graf generator at MOSI |
 Jess and Aidan at Rainbow Springs |
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