My son and I were in my kayak, while my brother and his son and step son were in another at the beach at Grayton Beach State Park. People on the beach were pointing, and someone shouted and warned us that 'an animal' was in the water. My first thought was that describing anything in the water as 'an animal' was quite peculiar. I mean 'fish' would seem more appropriate. I saw a shadow under the water and suspected it to be a large manta ray, but when the nose of a Manatee surfaced for air, I knew that an unexpected pleasure was found.
I had my 8 year old son catch up to me and I joined him back in the kayak and we followed the big beauty. I've swam with manatee before on a number of occasions in the Ocala Florida area in some springs, but never in the ocean. This particular manatee was covered in barnacles and algea. My brother was able to get out and take an underwater pic of it with his digital, and I'll have to see about getting it. While catching up to it there were two very nice sized baracuda by it. Funny, later, when paddling back I told a man that and his daughter shouted "I told you Daddy. I told you I saw a baracuda." Apparently she had told him and old Dad didn't believe her.
My son was terrified as we pulled up alongside the manatee, as it was rather large, but not the largest I've seen. My kayak is 9.5 feet long and the manatee was a bit longer and much wider. I was able to get out of my kayak and as the it passed me I allowed my hand to pass along it, giving it a friendly pet. My son chose to stay in the boat. The manatee was heading east and I'm sure was spotted by a number of other lucky beach goers.
Flroida comes through again with something special.
I had my 8 year old son catch up to me and I joined him back in the kayak and we followed the big beauty. I've swam with manatee before on a number of occasions in the Ocala Florida area in some springs, but never in the ocean. This particular manatee was covered in barnacles and algea. My brother was able to get out and take an underwater pic of it with his digital, and I'll have to see about getting it. While catching up to it there were two very nice sized baracuda by it. Funny, later, when paddling back I told a man that and his daughter shouted "I told you Daddy. I told you I saw a baracuda." Apparently she had told him and old Dad didn't believe her.
My son was terrified as we pulled up alongside the manatee, as it was rather large, but not the largest I've seen. My kayak is 9.5 feet long and the manatee was a bit longer and much wider. I was able to get out of my kayak and as the it passed me I allowed my hand to pass along it, giving it a friendly pet. My son chose to stay in the boat. The manatee was heading east and I'm sure was spotted by a number of other lucky beach goers.
Flroida comes through again with something special.
