Kayaking with the Manatees

The Manatees are starting to move into the warmer waters of the river now and our mission was to see if we could find a few. As we kayaked around the island it sounded like we were paddling in a jungle. The Limpkins were calling to each other and right off the bat we found an American Bittern, Snowy Egrets, Little Blue Herons and a Purple Gallinule. On the river’s edge there was a nice sized Alligator sunning and the Great Blue Herons are building their nests way up high in the Cypress Trees. Our winter resident Bald Eagle is here now too. He is the sentinel that watches over the river. Once we got down to Blue Springs we saw some Manatees swimming in the clear waters of the spring run and then it was game on! A momma and her baby came out and swam right under our kayaks. A few of the teenagers came out to play and started pushing our kayaks around with their noses. It is so exhilarating to have such a gentle creature interact with us like that. It’s like we become their play toys. Kayaking in the narrows of Snake Creek we found a Limpkin family including 3 chicks, Red-bellied Turtles and a few more Alligators out sunning. Some of the best movies we’ve ever seen were produced by Mother Nature! #KayakingWithKenny