We made an early start today, rising at about 7:30am and driving round the corner to Grannie's for a hearty breakfast. It was then back to the marina to see a man about a snorkelling tour. The man in question was Broderick, who we actually met for the first time in 2006 when we had come to kayak.
After watching a quick instructional video Lucy, Steven & I got kitted out into our wetsuits and the five of us stepped aboard our tour boat.
Shortly into the tour we spotted a lone manatee, which Broderick believed would enjoy a play in the water should we wish to enter. I became the snorkelling guinea pig and made my way into the water. Unfortunately Broderick's assumption was incorrect and the manatee continued on its way in another direction.
We were on our way again into an inlet known as Three Sisters when we came across more manatees near to a group of kayakers. This time all three of us entered the water and experienced our first close encounter with the beautiful mammal.
Lucy gets close to a manatee at Three Sisters, Crystal River
It was back aboard and further down the inlet we anchored up by the springs amongst dozens of manatees, either resting or enjoying a swim. Once in the water we were surrounded by them, and able to touch the ones that were willing to play. One manatee in particular seemed very friendly, following us wherever we swam. The purchase of our underwater cameras proved to be worthwhile, as we snapped away at the wonderful creatures.
A friendly manatee at the Crystal River springs
Another manatee poses for the camera
Steven says hello to the friendly manatee
After a lengthy snorkelling session at Crystal River we took a short drive down to Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park, the home of Betsy, Lucy & my adopted manatee. Our first port of call was to the manatee enclosure in the hope of seeing Betsy for the first time. As luck would have it a manatee program started shortly after our arrival, and sure enough, Betsy was one of the six manatees there.
Our first view of Betsy, our adopted manatee
Betsy comes to say hello
Betsy enjoys a mouthful of lettuce
We said our goodbyes to Betsy and strolled round the remainder of the park, seeing black bears, panthers, a variety of snakes and reptiles, hippopotamus, bobcats, river otters, alligators, owls & eagles and flamingos.
A rather large hippo
An American Bald Eagle at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park
The five of us made our way back to the car and Steven drove us the 4 hour journey south back to our villa in Cape Coral, where we all retired for the night after a very long, but extremely enjoyable day.
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