Gizmo’s mom here, taking over the blog for Gizmo today…he’s OK with it. We’re going to take a kayak trip down the Weeki Wachee River , one of my favorite paddling trips, mostly because it is a great place to interact with manatees. I love watching these peaceful creatures and they allow paddlers to get obligingly close. That’s the bow of my ‘yak in the picture.
There’s lots of other wildlife along the river like this Great Blue Heron,
and turtles…this guy is a Florida Cooter…
and eagles…here’s a nest…couldn’t catch a photo of the residents.
This Cooter reminded me of the old saw about rolling stones gathering no moss…he’s got quite a garden growing on his shell.
A little riverside humor…
Now back to the manatees…
Just look at the face on this guy…how could you not love him? Sadly, in this shot you can see the propeller scars on his back. One of the greatest dangers these gentle giants face is being run over by thoughtless, careless boaters.
If you ever get down to Florida and want to spend a few peaceful hours on the water I can’t recommend this trip enough.
Thanks to BlogPaws for hosting this Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Hop on over to join in the fun and see what everyone else has been up to this week.
Terrier Torrent 
Hey Giz, Jet here. Hi Miss JG.
Mom and Rachel just saw rescued manatees at Seaquarium last week. Mom said she will have to schedule a trip to visit you as soon as life clears a little. She would LOVE to join you for that paddle! To see the manatees in the wild would be grand. We have them here, mostly in the areas by the power plants. 😦
Jetty pal the welcome mat is always out for you, Jj & Miss L! Mom sez she’s seen them by the power plant in the Port of Fort Lauderdale, but it’s so much better to see them fur real! *snoogles* to you all!
Very cool tour! Rudy would love to meet that cooter! 🙂
Maybe, maybe not…they will snap 🙂 But I can see where Rudy would love to chase them 😉
What beautiful photos. I just love being on the water in FL. My uncle and aunt used to live on a canal in Melbourne, he had an airboat and boy did we love going out when we were down. Some of my favorite pictures and memories come from those trips!
Did you see any gators?
I noticed you were interested in co-hosting follow-up Friday, if you have something for this week and would be willing to do it, please e-mail me at stone.jodi@ymail.com I will need to know whether you are on the free wordpress or self-hosted. I think I can help you get it set-up.
Thank you Jodi. Gizmo’s first ever boat ride was in the Intercoastal around Melbourne! No gators that day at Weeki Wachee but when we paddle the Hillsborough River it’s an all-day gator fest. They really don’t mess with the ‘yaks, just head underwater, or watch us go by from their sunny gator slides.
That looks awesome. Just what I need, yet another reason to go to Florida. LOL
Yes you do need another reason to come to Florida…so Gizmo gets to meet Roxy & Torrey! But seriously, if you love to ‘yak we do have some great rivers here that make for a beautiful day
“Don’t insult the alligator” sign cracked me up. Great pics. Happy New Year!
Just a little Florida Cracker humor 🙂
Those were some great shots of Natural Florida. We love to see the manatees!!
Thank you! I love the manatees & think that if more people saw them they’d get better protection
Lovely photos! The manatees look incredible – definitely a trip I need to do someday. Thanks for sharing!
There are a number of river ‘yak trips where I’ve seen the manatees but Weeki Wachee is one of the prettiest and it’s a very gentle trip…more of a drift than a paddle so it’s perfect for a warm summer day
Beautiful photos! Happy Wordless Wednesday!
Thank you so much *snoogles*
Beautiful pictures. It looks so peaceful and the manatees are so sweet looking.
We get a different type of wild life in NY.
Thank you! And that line about the NYC wildlife is cracking me up BOL!
I imagine Gizmo had to stay home.
Yes he did…he’s not much into water
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Hey Gizmo! You almost made me homesick! But not quite. 😉 Pop over to my blog today. You won the biography! And your post made me so almost homesick that I couldn’t help but talk about Florida wildlife.
OMD! That is pawsome…This book was one I wanted to read after reading your review…I’m heading over to your blog now 🙂 And thank you!
Thanks for taking us along on your journey. What a beautiful trip. We love Manatees as well and worry about their safety and their future.
It’s fun playing tour guide and taking folks to places i love…it’s careless thoughtless people that casue them so much harm …No one needs to be in that big a rush that they can’t slow down for a beautiful animal like the manatee
Mowzers, a COOTER? Ya learn something new every day! We sure hopes that kitteh snoopervising that funny sign is smart enough to not insult them either…!
I know…a Cooter…I emailed you something you should enjoy about Cooters & the annual Cooter Festival in Inverness, FL And I guarantee that kitteh is smarter than some of the boaters on that river!
M is loving your pictures cuz 100 years ago she used to live down there. he he – she knows exactly what you are talking about. Nice to meet you new friend.
Aw Mario can’t really bee 100! So glad your mom enjoyed the photos…I hope they brought back some happy memories of a beautiful place…And it’s very good to meet you too 🙂 Thanks for coming by to visit
Thank you for sharing those nice photos. It’s nice to see a warm place.
Thank you…It’s good to bring a little ‘summer’ into a cold winter day
Such cool photos you’ve got!!
Cotton
Thank you Cotton…Mom goes snap happy with her camera and sometimes she gets lucky 🙂
What a great kayak trip! That’s only about 3 hours north of me. We all luv to kayak too! Yap, I have my float coat and goggles and am real good about not tippin over Mom and I’s kayak 🙂
Luv all the Manatees. Wonderful photos of them your Mom captured! Mom went swimming with them around that area last year – what a special day that was – such gentle creatures – and Mom tells me they luv belly scratches like I do 😀 Thank you so much for sharing!
Waggin at ya,
Roo
Roo there’s one big difference between you & me pal…I won’t even get in that silly boat on dry land, never mind the water…Water’s just not my thing, so I let mom do it without me. My mom sez she wishes I was more like you! Mom sez to ask if you’ve ever done the Juniper Run in the Ocala National Forest…If you haven’t she sez you really need to…it’s one of the best fresh water paddles in the state. *snoogles* to you my furriend
Really loved your beautiful pictures when it’s so cold and snowy outside here in New York. Thanks for sharing them with us.
I love kayaking. It’s such a gentle and quiet way to get close to our wild neighbors. Honey goes with us much of the time. Does Gizmo join you?
Thank you…I’m always happy to spread a little Florida sunshine 🙂 No Gizmo is not really a fan of water so he stays home…though I did recently get him a life jacket in case i get brave/foolish enough to try to take him with…we’ll see…if I do it’s bound to be a funny post
Wow – what a cool experience! Thanks for sharing the pics. Something to add to the bucket list!
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed them and i do recommend this paddle if you ever get the chance…thanks for stopping by!
Hi Gizmo’s mom…
your photos are great. lovely view and so nice to see so many animals there…and of course, the turtle is the best shot there 😉
Hi there Kroton & Kame’s mom 🙂 I’m so glad you liked the photos and you know I did think about you of course when i posted the ones of the turtles *turtlesnoogles*
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