Monday, April 1, 2013

Manatees and Eco Systems

Yesterday as we were at the dinghy dock we saw a group of people on the next dock looking at a Manatee 'floating' in the water.  We went over to get in on the action and turns out he wasn't just floating but feeding on the sea growth on the dock and posing for the cameras!!
This  the second Manatee we've seen since we've been here and this was a real photo opportunity....we got lucky!
A real POSER!  They have very tiny little eyes that look so out of proportion to the rest of them.  They are also sometimes referred to as Sea Cows, obviously because of their size.

She was close enough to touch him and she said he had rough skin with a slimy feel but the little white hairs you see sticking out were very soft.  We all figured he was looking for a treat.
Here he is chewing on the sea growth on the dock.  Maybe it's a girl and she is one of the "Ladies who lunch"!

Still there when we got back from the store.  This time at the other side of the dock and chewing on a dinghy rope.  Ummm, maybe that's where those dinghys go when they turn up missing??

As for the growth on the dock....this is what our dinghy looked like when we took it to Sombrero Beach to clean the bottom yesterday.  No wonder that manatee was chewing on the dock.  

 Gary starting the task of scraping



No kidding it was like an ecosystem....little crabs running around and everything.  Unbelievable after only 2 months.  Made us wonder what the bottoms of some of the boats in Boot Key Harbor look like when they've been there for five years!  They probably don't even need a mooring ball they're attached to the bottom!!!!!!   We did get a tip from another boater, all you have to do is lift it a foot or two out of the water overnight every  days or so and the stuff won't grow.  Where was he in February???

1 comment:

  1. As per usual, Dad is doing the work in the photos! For those who'd like to learn more about, and help to support, the amazing manatees, check out http://www.savethemanatee.org/. Consider "adopting" a manatee the next time you need a gift for someone!!

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