KAYAK WITH THE MANATEES, BLUE SPRINGS FLORIDA, DEC 2011, SO CLOSE I COULD TOUCH THEM!

www.CutePetsForYou.weebly.com I went to kayak with the manatees at Blue Springs State Park today. Last night the temperature dropped down to 46 degrees. I knew there would be some manatees in the spring. I just hoped that I would get to see some from my kayak. I was pleasantly surprised that two manatees swam up and treated me like one of their own. Last year I waited till we had a freeze the night before. This year is a much warmer winter, so I waited till it was 46 degrees the night before. Since the spring water maintains a constant temperature of 70 degrees, the manatees migrate to the spring each winter to stay warm. When our temperature gets down to 32 degrees, 300 to 400 manatees will pack into the run along the spring. They almost stack on top of each other to stay warm. Since this weather was not that cold, there were just a few dozen at the spring. Most of them are still in the river, next to the spring. I rented a kayak at the park for an hour and paddled over to the boundary between the river and the spring. Usually I can watch manatees swimming out from the spring to find some breakfast in the river. I was not disappointed. First I could see 2 noses break the water at a distance. Then I saw their grey massive bodies ease right up to me. They seem to consider my red kayak as some distant cousin. They gently rubbed up against it and stuck their heads above water to study me. They are very gentle giants. I held on to the fencing to avoid tipping over, just in case they would bump me. The manatees glide through the water seamlessly and there was not one bump or bounce. I was in awe of their size and potential power over me. Yet they just wanted to be friends. It appeared to be a mother manatee and the calf she had borne last spring. They took turns cuddling each other and cuddling my kayak. There is something surreal and mystical about them. It feels like finding "Big Foot" in the woods. These massive giants are very large for swimming along the St. Johns river. They look more suited for their summer home in the sea. However we love having them come to visit at Blue Springs every year.

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[CutePetsForYou]

@mistyeve71 Thanks! I really enjoy getting to go down to Blue Springs this time of year. These are amazing creatures!

[mistyeve71]

cute, very

[CutePetsForYou]

@DrNworb It is amazing to get so close to them. It was hard to go back to shore when it was time. The hour passed too quickly. Last year there were hundreds of them. If I can get out there this year after a freeze night, I will make another video.

[DrNworb]

What a great encounter, you're so lucky!