Loving Manatees

During the winter months, my family and I love to visit the TECO Manatee Viewing Center.  Last month, I had the pleasure to visit the center twice in one week with my girls.

 

With the frequent drops in the temperature this winter season, there are more manatee than ever in the warm waters adjacent to power station in Apollo Beach, FL.  On both days, we counted close to 60 manatees…

 

 

 

…and a dozen stingrays.

 

 

This free educational viewing center is operated by retired TECO volunteers, who happily educate the public about manatees and conservation.

 

 

 

Recently, the center renovated its hands-on education building with a 12 foot illuminated information panel, a life size skeleton exhibit…

 

 

 

…puzzles, a hurricane simulator and a video game where users pedal to help a manatee swim to safety.

 

 

 

Whether you walk the tidal nature trail or watch from the observation deck, every spot offers a great view…

 

 

…unless you happen to stop for a rest along the way.

 

 

And if you’re really lucky, you may discover manatees mating, like we witnessed on our second visit.

 

 

 

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and Mamarazzi

10 comments

  1. Lindsay says:

    Oh what I wouldn’t give to walk outside and see LIQUID! And to see living animals in the liquid. 🙂 That would be SO cool to see. Thanks for the pics!

  2. Krystyn says:

    Wow! That looks like a great place to visit. My kids love animals and I’m sure they would love this. Actually, we have a visit scheduled to the aquarium this weekend.

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