Manatees

We drove up to Orange City Saturday morning to see the manatees at Blue Spring State Park. A fresh water spring (dark line in the pic at right) puts out 100 million gallons of spring water per day at a constant temp of 72 degrees. The spring water runs into the St. Johns River and when the river temp gets low, the manatees migrate into the spring.

There were 109 manatees (the park rangers count 'em) at the spring this AM. We saw over 70 sea cows while we were there. The water is very clear, the sky was overcast so we could see into the water easily, and the early time - got there about 9:15 - meant very little wind to ripple the water. When the manatees aren't there, people can scuba dive down the rift way into the limestone cave...not my idea of fun! Lots of black headed vultures around also.

We spent the rest of the day taking down the Christmas decorations and taking care of Saturday stuff. I cut the grass and got the lights off the house - no slips, ankle twists, or pratfalls! Temps were in the upper 70's this afternoon, which we enjoyed.

May God bless you abundantly in the new year!