Amazing Encounter

Now that it is a bit cooler out, we decided to go kayaking in the Tomoka State Park. This was probably our best kayaking trip that we have ever experienced.

The employees there couldn't be more helpful and explained the different water trails to us.





Once we were set up with our rental kayak, we headed to the area that we were told had lots of wildlife. That sure was an understatement! Very close by the outpost and launch ramp, I noticed a manatee nose sticking out of the water...then another and another. Suddenly the water was alive with turmoil, and as we looked further ahead there were several different groups making the same ruckus. Naturally we stayed a little bit back (thank goodness I have a zoom lens on my camera!), since number one it's illegal to chase or harass manatees, and number two, we sure didn't want to get caught up in whatever they were doing and end up in the river with them! We have been around many manatees, but have never seen them like this. Almost their whole bodies were coming out of the water, and you can see the boat propeller damage on this one's tail.



Then to our surprise, this one's head and torso popped up.



We paddled way over to the beach shallows to really get out of the way and several swam right next to us anyway, before heading back to their group. It may look like a rock, but it's definitely a manatee, complete with lots of barnacles on its back.





After what we witnessed today, I do believe that in a year's time there will be several new calves added to the manatee population!