Manatee

Cnl Fap Fran Seca Vignetta Airport, Loreto, Per

The handy natural historyBoston,R.G. Badger, The Gorham press,1910.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/21416695

Cnl Fap Fran Seca Vignetta Airport, Loreto, Per

Big Mama shows her calf the finer points grazing along a bed of waterweeds in the Weeki Wachee River. I didn't look close enough at it to identify whether it's Elodea or Hydrilla, but they sure seem to like it, regardless.I guess if you don't make a big mess and stir up a huge cloud of silt, you're not doing it right.The calf's not paying much attention; it's too busy trying to figure it all out on it's own. Kids these days...Weeki Wachee RiverHernando County FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

Wilson, Florida, United States

Titusville, Florida, United States

Allenhurst, Florida, United States

This massive Weeki Wachee mom has all the telltale scars from too many run ins with boat propellers. Unfortunately, the calf has already got a few marks of it's own.Weeki Wachee RiverHernando County FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

While the calf is more concerned with checking us out, mom hardly pays any attention as she browses across the bottom.Hunter Spring ParkCrystal River National Wildlife RefugeCitrus County, FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

It doesn't take very long for this hungry Mama to muck it all up, even in crystal clear water, once she starts chomping. You've got to stay upstream to see anything, and stay out of their way.Florida ManateeTrichechus manatus latirostrisWeeki Wachee RiverHernando County FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

I wonder what mom tells the calf? If you eat all your vegetables... you get even more vegetables, for dessert?Weeki Wachee RiverHernando County FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

This youngster is getting the hang of making a mess while sampling the all you can eat salad bar on the river bottom.Florida ManateeTrichechus manatus latirostrisWeeki Wachee RiverHernando County FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

The larger North American mammals..Washington,National Geographic Society,1916..biodiversitylibrary.org/page/38088416

You've got to make a big mess and stir up a huge cloud of silt, if you want to do it right, and this Manatee Mom's an old pro.Florida ManateeTrichechus manatus latirostrisWeeki Wachee RiverHernando County FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

Titusville, Florida, United States

Mom has taught this youngster well, and it'll be sporting a thick algae coat and mucking it up with the best of 'em soon enough.Weeki Wachee RiverHernando County FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

This calf is more than a little curious and doesn't hesitate to leave mom's side and come right up to the lens. Of course, as a guest in their world, it's up to you to give them plenty of space and make sure you don't interfere.Hunter Spring ParkCrystal River National Wildlife RefugeCitrus County, FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

The calf ventures off, occasionally, but for the most part, it sticks close by. Florida ManateeTrichechus manatus latirostrisBlue Springs State ParkOrange City, Volusia County Florida, USA Olympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

This young manatee is getting the hang of making a mess while sampling the salad offerings on the river bottom.Florida ManateeTrichechus manatus latirostrisWeeki Wachee RiverHernando County FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London..London :Academic Press, [etc.],1833-1965..biodiversitylibrary.org/page/37028009

Wild animals of North AmericaWashington, D.C.,The National geographical society[c1918]biodiversitylibrary.org/page/9727816

"Hey Ma, get me, I'm a sucker mouth catfish..." While mom takes a little breather on the bottom, the calf is mastering algae grazing and Hypostomus impressions.Blue Springs State ParkOrange City, Volusia County Florida, USA Olympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearPhil's 1stPix on 500px

It's not a space station either.You can just barely see the calf on the lower right as mom comes up for air.Florida ManateeTrichechus manatus latirostrisBlue Springs State ParkOrange City, Volusia County Florida, USA Olympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearPhil's 1stPix on 500px

Despite her size, this Manatee mom moves with surprising grace; with a just a flick of the tail.Florida ManateeTrichechus manatus latirostrisBlue Springs State ParkOrange City, Volusia County Florida, USA Olympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear