Manatees at Blue Spring State Park Florida
76Beautiful crystal clear water at Blue Spring State Park
Manatees in Florida Come to Blue Spring State Park
The beautiful Blue Spring is the largest warm spring on Florida’s St. John’s River. The Blue Spring State Park is a popular attraction year around as the crystal clear water is perfect for swimming, diving and boating in the summer. It is also an ideal spot to view a large number of the West Indian manatees in Florida who winter in the warm Blue Spring.
Designated an official State Natural Feature.
About 100 million gallons of 73° water flows from the spring to the St. John's River each day via the spring run. In the winter, especially when the temperature is unusually cold, a large population of West Indian Manatees leave the St. John’s river and move into the warm water of the springs. The area has wooden walkways above the spring where visitors can view the manatees without disturbing them. The crystal clear water of the spring is ideal for viewing as well as photographing the big gentle creatures. Because manatees are a threatened species, the park does not allow swimming or water sports in the spring area when the manatees are in residence from mid November until March.
Manatees are related to the elephant
The boardwalks and viewing platforms above the spring allow visitors to get a close look at the manatees swimming below. Most of the time the big sea cows seem to be oblivious to the people gathered around to observe them.
The West Indian Manatee that lives in Florida is a very large aquatic mammal. Average adult size is 9-11 feet long and 800-1200 pounds. They have a large flat tail that they use as a paddle and two flippers in front with 3 or 4 nails on each that helps them hold food while they are eating. They have no back legs or feet. The manatee has a face that only a mother could love, with deep wrinkles and bristly whiskers. Biologists believe that their closest relative is the elephant.
A Manatee swims at Blue Springs
Manatees can live in saline water, fresh water or brackish water
Manatees generally live along the coast, but do not need salt water to live. They can survive in fresh water, saline water or brackish water. Although they are large, they have a low metabolic rate and lack a thick layer of insulating body fat that would allow the to live in cold water, so they are usually found in Florida in the winter even though they may wander farther afield during the summer —as far as Texas and even as far north as New York City.
A manatee in the crystal clear water of Blue Springs
Manatees are in danger from loss of habitat as well as watercraft
The West Indian Manatee has no natural predators. Their largest threats are man-made, one of the major causes of death results from collisions with motorized water craft as they usually swim just under the surface of the water, but are too slow to move quickly out of the way. Manatees are often seen with scars from collisions with motor boat propellers.
Another threat to the manatee is the loss of their habitat. They eat 10-15% of their body weight daily – mostly aquatic plants, but they will also eat small fish and small invertebrates. As coastal and water front property becomes more developed, their habitat is threatened. Florida is now taking measures to preserve the manatee habitat and to education the public about manatees.
Birds and other wildlife love the warm blue springs, too
Manatees keep their calves close for one to two years
Adult manatees are sometimes called sea cows, and their young are referred to as calves. Calves are born about every three years, and nurse from the mother for one to two years. When we observed the manatees at Blue Springs, we saw several mothers with their calves swimming very close. Currently there is an estimated population of 4,480 West Indian Manatees in the U.S.
Best time to see manatees is November and December, although we saw a large number of them at Blue Springs one January when there was a cold snap and they came to the springs to warm up. Because they do not tolerate cold very well, they can die from shock in cold water. They can also die because their digestive tracts shut down in water colder than 68°.
A female manatee swims in the warm Blue Spring with her calf
A view of anhingas near the St. John's River by the Blue Springs
Blue Springs State Park - A beautiful place to enjoy nature
Blue Springs State Park consists of 2,600 acres on the St. John’s River. In addition to the unique area for viewing the Manatees, the park has nature trails, picnic areas and camping. In season, visitors can enjoy swimming, diving, snorkeling and boating. Certified scuba divers can explore the spring if they dive with a partner. There is also a two hour narrated riverboat tour with knowledgeable staff lecturing on the history and unique ecology of the area.
The water and shadows look like a Monet painting
The Blue Spring's waters are like an Impressionist painting
In addition to the thrill of seeing the large numbers of manatees gathering in the spring, I was fascinated by the colors and beauty of the clear water. As the water ripples and the sun moved across the sky, the water colors changed from blue to green, reflecting back the colors of the sky and the surrounding vegetation.
I hope you have enjoyed my photo gallery of the manatees at Blue Spring State Park in Florida and the photographs that depict the West India Manatees in their natural habitat. I deliberately did not include aquarium photographs which would have shown more detail because I love the abstract feel of the photographs as they captured the changing light and colors of the water.
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Copyright ©2011 Stephanie Henkel
Learn More About Manatees and Blue Spring State Park
Blue Spring State Park website: http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/
Save the Manatee Club: http://www.savethemanatee.org/manfcts.htm
Manatee Facts: http://www.savethemanatee.org/faqbehavior.htm
Manatee toys and ornaments
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Tropical "MANATEE" Wall 'Art'
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Sterling Silver 12mm Manatee Post Earrings, New
Current Bid: $5.95
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Etching of a Manatee by Susan Knoll
Current Bid: $35.00
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You may enjoy some of my other hubs about Florida
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St. George Island stretches alone the Gulf of Mexico on the Florida Panhandle. The pristine white sand beaches of St. George Island State Park attract summer visitors as well as winter RVing snowbirds who come to fish, watch birds and enjoy the antic - Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge: Bird watchi...
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is one of the premiere site on the Atlantic Coast to view migrating birds. Included in the 310 species of birds seen at the refuge are bald eagles, rosette spoonbills, wood storks, egrets, herons and many other - RVing Across the Florida Panhandle
Here is a selection of photographs of the Florida Panhandle, from the Gulf Coast to the Apalachicola National Forest. RVing across the Florida Panhandle is an opportunity to see uncrowded white sand beaches, the beautiful Suwanee River and the quiet
Get your very own manatee
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Educate kids about manatees
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What an interesting animal! I know them as sea cows. It's interesting that their closest relative is the elephant. Manatees may have preferred to stay in water for some reason (or went back to water?). :-) Voted up!
Excellent wotk.
I saw much of this long ago, in the early and yet unspoiled 50's.
That's beautiful.I would love to swim with them and cuddle with them. They look so peaceful and beautiful
When I teach group swim fitness I always try to bring in the manatee as a "name" of an exercise movement. Oh, what miraculous animals we have in the water! Thank you so much
I have been enjoying your photo gallery hubs even if I don't comment on each one - yet this one just took my breath away.
Your photo composition is amazing, and the photos themselves must have been challenging (trying to take pictures of moving objects is not easy!) Voted UP, beautiful and awesome!
Ardie -We were thrilled to be in the area one year when we heard a news bite about the manatees coming into Blue Springs because of the cold weather. It was quite an amazing sight! Thank you for your very nice comments! I hope that you get a chance to take your children soon.
Plinka – Manatees are sometimes called sea cows, and their babies are called calves. They certainly are as almost as big as the cows we see on land. Perhaps they evolved from land animals…I’m not sure what the theory is. Thanks so much for your thought provoking comments and for your vote.
Will Starr – It must have been interesting to see Blue Springs in the 1950’s before the area became a tourist attraction. I saw a photo taken in the 60's and it looked like an old fashioned swimming hole. I'd love to see your pictures if you have any. Thanks for stopping by to visit and comment!
Teacherjoe – I’m not sure how cuddly these 1,300 pound mammals are, though their babies seem to want to cuddle up. But they are definitely gentle, slow and peace loving. From what I've read, it seems that conservationists don't approve of people swimming with them as it could disturb their feeding. But it was a joy to be able to observe them quite closely from the viewing platforms. Thanks for stopping in to comment!
GmaGoldie – How fitting to name your swim fitness movements about manatees! They do glide gracefully through the water despite their size, and I can imagine their movements as a slow water ballet. Thank you for stopping by and for your interesting comments.
Giselle Maine – These photographs were taken a few years ago, and I think I was having trouble with my camera at the time. I wish I had more photographs of the manatees and the beautiful setting at Blue Springs State Park but I'm happy to have a dozen or so good shots. I’m glad that you’ve been enjoying my photo gallery hubs, and I truly appreciate your support and gracious comments. Thank you so much for stopping by.
How lovely! The colors are so deep and glowing. I remember seeing manatees when I lived outside of Tampa. They are so gentle and serene. Your Hub is beautiful and the information great.
Hello Hypephenbird - I loved the colors reflected in the water almost as much as I loved the manatees. Living where you could see them and the other diverse wildlife in Florida sounds like a wonderful way to enjoy nature. Thank you for visiting my hub and for your kind comments!
Beautiful and awesome photos. I wish I could visit one day but I don't do planes! Maybe if I take a train ride I'll be able to go there one day....
And yes, that one photo DOES look like a Monet painting!
Congrats on your 100th Hub - it's a great one. Manatees are important because they are a link to the past. Voted up and useful.
This 100th hub is like a beautiful gift. Loved the monet coloring of some of the photos. I didn't know Manatees were so large.
Voted up across the board except for funny.
Dorsi - Thank you, Dorsi, I'm glad you enjoyed the photographs of Blue Spring and the manatees. It would be a long ride, but you never know when you'll get the urge to hop a train for a cross-country trip! Thanks for stopping in to read my hub and for your comments!
Marriedwithdebt - Thank you for the good wishes! I was happy that my milestone hub turned out to be the one about manatees and Blue Spring park as they seemed fitting subjects for a celebratory hub. Thanks for stopping in to comment!
Hello Gail, Thanks for stopping in to visit my milestone hub! I was surprised, too, when I read how much a manatee could weigh. It was a beautiful setting, and I enjoyed seeing the mothers swimming with their calves so close to them. Thank you for your comments and your votes today.
Beautiful hub, I love to see the manatees. And congratulations on your 100th hub!I'm looking forward to the next 100!
Hi Gryphin - I'm glad you enjoyed the manatees! Thank you for the good wishes and for stopping in to read my milestone hub!
This is a very interesting hub! I love learning about animals, and I think that manatees are fascinating. Thank your for the information. I would love to visit the Blue Spring State Park and see the manatees myself!
Another wonderful hub with stunning pictures from you, Stephanie. Your hubs are always a delight, always reminding to enjoy the beauty life has to offer. Congratulations on your 100th hub and counting!
This is one of the things I miss since I moved from Florida. We lived about 10 miles from Blue Springs, so we went often. Thanks for the great hub as well as a reminder of those memories
Carmen H - Hello again, Carmen! I'm so happy that you enjoyed this hub about Manatees and Blue Springs. Thanks so much for visiting and commenting - I always love hearing from you!
AliciaC - I'm glad that you found some useful information on Manatees here and that you enjoyed my hub. Thanks for visiting and commenting!
Puter dr - It must have been lovely to be able to visit Blue Springs often to see the manatees and to enjoy the warm springs when they were open to water recreation. Thanks for sharing your memories and for commenting!
When we first moved there, they allowed swimming with the manatees, but I think in 1996 or 97 it was outlawed after someone injured or killed a young manatee.
Puter - I've read that swimming with the manatees is also discouraged because it disturbs their eating habits. But I would think it wouldn't be a good idea to get too close to a female with a calf, either.
Beautiful photos to compliment your 100th Hub! Congratulations! Long live the manatee!
Hi Sunshine, Yes, long live the manatee! I fell in love with them the first time we saw them in Florida, and felt sad at their plight. It was so wonderful to see them in the beautiful setting of Blue Spring park. Thanks for stopping in and for your good wishes and comments!
Great topic for a hub! Thanks for sharing so many beautiful pictures.
Congrats on reaching 100 hubs!
Randomcreative - I was pleased that this one happened to be my milestone 100th hub as I have a special fondness for the manatees and Blue Spring park. Thank you for stopping in to read and comment on my hub. I appreciate your support!
WOW!! To have seen manatees in person... I envy you, Stephanie Henkel! These photos are gorgeous, and I've learned a couple new things about manatees now, too!
Hi Simone, I have seen manatees in some of the big aquariums, too, but seeing them in their natural habitat is really amazing. Thanks for stopping in to comment - I always love to hear from you!
Congratulations on winning the daily draw. I have never seen a manatee in person. These are beautiful.
Stunning!
Awesome hub...I loved your pictures so much...I really wish I could see all of this for myself...hopefully some day :) Thanks for sharing!!
Great hub, Stephanie! I love the manatees and the colors in your photos. The colors of the water are beautiful. It looks like such a neat area. I would love to see them sometime like that.
sofs - Blue Spring park is definitely worth a visit if you are in Florida in the winter. Thanks you for your comments!
oceansnsunsets - Blue Spring is a neat area, and the colors of the water really were incredible. Thanks for stopping in to visit my hub and to comment!
FloraBreenRobison - I just found out about winning the daily drawing myself -I was very pleased! Thanks for stopping by to read and comment on my hub!
rebekahELLE - Thanks for stopping in to view my photo gallery of manatees and for commenting!
This is so gorgeous! Everything, the water, the scenery, the birds, and yes, even the manatee's face that you claim only a mother could love. I have never seen manatees in the wild, but there are such interesting creatures...they have a similar allure of the dolphin, I suppose. It breaks my heart that they are endangered. I'm glad you're getting words out about them.
Stephaniedas - Manatees are so interesting, and seeing them up close in their natural habitat was wonderful. They seem so gentle, and the mothers with the babies were adorable. Florida is working hard to protect them and to restore some of their habitat - I believe they have been moved from the "endangered" list to "threatened", but they do deserve special protection. Thank you for stopping by to comment!
I've been very close to manatees in FL, but I've never been to Blue Spring. Beautiful pics - voted up!
Habee- It's so nice that you have the opportunity to see the manatees in Florida. Perhaps some day you'll visit Blue spring - I think you'll like it. Glad you enjoyed my pictures. Thanks for visiting!
I just saw you won the daily drawing!!!! Congrats Stephanie :D
Ardie - Thanks! Yes, I was excited to win the daily drawing! The contest was a lot of fun!
I loved seeing all the entries. I never knew so many hubbers were also talented photographers!
Love it! Beautiful photos - interesting information and I would love to share it with my kids for their education as well. Super impressive hub - again!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the photographs! I think your children would love to visit Blue Spring State Park in Florida as you can get outstanding views of the manatees and their adorable young calves! Thanks for visiting!
My pleasure for sure!
Well done! Beautiful pictures. I'll have to take the time and visit there! voted up.
Wow, you're an amazing photographer! =]
I'll definitely add visiting Blue Springs State Park to my bucket list of places to visit. Thanks for sharing!
Outstanding! This is a fascinating hub, Steph. Rated up and across...photos really capture the area so well. Wondering if you are considering a photo book of your work? You surely would have enough to exhibit of your work.
Oldandwise & marketingskeptic - I'm glad you enjoyed the photographs of manatees and Blue Spring State Park. We did enjoy our time in that beautiful place and seeing the manatees up close was incredible! Thanks for stopping in to read and comment!
Hi Denise, I'm glad you enjoyed the hub, Denise! You sound as if you've been to the area - isn't it wonderful? I do love photography, but haven't thought about exhibiting my work. For now I'm enjoying the opportunity to incorporate my photographs into Hubs and my blog. Maybe someday... But thanks for the complement! :)
Great photos and beautiful and interesting hub.
Nettlemere - I'm so glad you enjoyed this hub about the manatees at Blue Spring State Park. They are fascinating creatures, and we were fortunate to see so many of them during our visit there. Thanks for stopping in to comment!
Ardie Level 8 Commenter 6 months ago
Absolutely astounding work! These photographs are...amazing. I cant think of any other words to use that do justice to this hub :) I am so jealous that you have seen this with your own eyes. I HAVE to take the kids one winter to see the manatee. I just found my next vacation destination. Voted UP