Manatee Springs




Welcome to another Tuesdays with Dori. I'm yoor hostess, Dori. *wavy paws*

I hope yoo all enjoyed a beautiful Easter. Spwing is in the air, with flower blooming and sun puddles popping up in some of my favorite places both inside my home, and outside in my Catio.

Today I want to share wif yoo a special place here in Flory-Da reserved for Manatees. 

Blue Spring State Park is 2,643 acres protecting 21 natural communities, including two lagoons, a first-magnitude spring (that discharges over 102 million gallons of water daily into the St Johns River) and a north-flowing river. The spring runs through a shady hardwood hammock, and in winter more than 600 manatees gather in the 72-degree waters. In order to provide a safe warm water refuge for the manatees, the spring is closed to all water-related activities from mid-November through March.

This past February my pawrents visited the park to see the manatees, and they were delighted to see a baby right under their place on the boardwalk.



Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge and provides habitat for at least 15 threatened or endangered plants and animals. More than 150 bird species have been identified at the park, including eagles and kingfishers. Swimming turtles and the flashing scales of gar and sunfish can also be seen in the clear spring. You can also hear frogs calling each other, and spy an alligator basking on the spring banks.

During the summertime, hoomons are allowed to swim, snorkel, or go diving and tubing in the waters. There is picnic areas with three pavillions available. There is also a campground nearby, and a four-mile-long trail to hike. The park also offers paddling tours for those who like to canoe or kayak.

Hope yoo enjoyed seeing the manatees. 

Until next time...

 

8 comments:

  1. Manatees come to the canals here when it's cold. It's pawsome to see them.

    The Florida Furkids

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  2. What a wonderful place for them and for us. Beautiful.

    Have a fabulous day. ♥

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  3. What a lovely place! We heard somewhere that manatees may have given rise to the legend of mermaids.

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  4. We always love seeing the manatees Dori thanks so much and we got a Mooveee! YAY

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  5. It was lovely to see those wonderful creatures.

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  6. What a beautiful and restful place to spend the day. Just watching the video made our mom feel calm. Thank you, Dori. Hope you and your furmily had a happy and blessed Easter. Mom says she feels like she needs a little purple underpants and is going to watch that now. Love to all. XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, angel Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy, Sawyer & Kizmet

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  7. My Dad spent summers down there when he was growing up and has fun memories of seeing the manatees.

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