Swimming with manatees

[Slim to None]

These pics are from last year in Crystal River, FL swimming with some manatees.
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb28/FL_SurfGator/dmanatee.jpg
I'm the one scratching the manatee's back
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb28/FL_SurfGator/dustinwithmanatee2.jpg
Happy manatee after having his belly scratched!

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Nice pictures, you must of had fun. 010 012

[bobreeves]

What a neat experience! I envy you. Several years ago there were a pod of dolphin not far off a jetty on Seawall in Galveston. It was early morning and nobody around and I went in for a swim to see how close I could get. Probably within 30 ft - could hear them all breathing. Didn't get quite as close as you though.

[Slim to None]

bob, i feel very lucky to live in florida. not only do we get to fish 365 days a year, but i grew up seeing alligators, sharks, dolphin, manatees, and all the other marine creatures every weekend. i try to never take living here for granted, b/c frankly i dont think my (future) grandkids will get to enjoy the florida i did growing up, mainly b/c of all the developement going on. in my short life i've gotten to enjoy more things than i thought possible. one of my favorate memories was over at st. augustine surfing in the atlantic ocean. my brother and i paddled into the middle of a school of manta rays, who after being spoked by us proceeded to jump all around us. had one jump right on my brother's surf board. made me wish i had a fishing pole to try and catch the cobia underneath them.