The Manatee Viewing area
Tampa, Florida

Maggie and I joined Mom and Dad in Florida November 8-13th.

We saw a poster advertising the viewing area at the campground,

so we decided to check it out. It was about a 20 minute drive, and

no entrance fees (but there was a gift shop and museum).

Here are five Manatees near the visitor station. They look like logs in the water, but sometimes you can see a snout, flipper or tail.

This one is taking a breath on the surface.

	Another Manatee heading away.
	A snout on the surface.
	This one showed it's tail as it began a dive to the bottom for some more water plants.
	On the beaches lived Fiddler crabs, shown at left about four times their actual size.
	There was a comotion near the Mangroves, and a pair of Rays flew past us. I managed to photograph oned of them near the surface.
	The Mangroves on the shoreline.
	The Tampa Electric power station that funds the education center, located next door.

For more information and web cams:

Tampa Electric Enviromental Education Facility