Orlando Wetlands Park

Roseate Spoonbills at the Wetlands Park

Was not able to kayak today for reasons way out of my control. Had some pics of a couple of trips I have made to the Orlando Wetlands Park this year in practice mode. I am sharing with you some of those pics...

Robin

 

Eastern Phoebe

Glossy Ibis

Little Blue Heron

Gator

White Pelican

Purple Gallinule

Purple Gallinule

White Pelicans

White Pelican

White Pelicans

White Pelicans

White Pelicans

Odd Couple

Spoonies

 

Coot

Great Egret

TBD

Glossy Ibis

Tern

Least Sandpiper?????

Tern

Tern

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

 

Glossy Ibis

Spoonie

Spoonie

 

Purple Gallinule

Wood Stork

Wood Stork

Thanks for checking us and consider yourself invited to our next post. Hopefully we will be sharing with you some Views From Our Kayak.

Orlando Wetlands Park

Hospital Hole 2

Hospital Hole Manatee

After seeing our videos and pics from the visit to this place two weeks ago one of my sons told me he had never been in the water with a manatee and would like to have an experience. My wife, once again, wanted us to go to Crystal River, I said HECK NO!!!!!!!!! So decided to repeat the location and to take him to the Hospital Hole. It worked just fine. He had a good time and I had a great birthday celebration. This was more a family thing more than a kayaking trip so not many pics to share.

My son's first close encounter with a manatee in the water

Hospital Hole Manatee and School of Fish

Manatee

Manatee at the Walls of the Hospital Hole

Manatee

Hospital Hole Scene

Hospital Hole Manatee

School of Fish at the Hospital Hole

Down looking Up

Hospital Hole Manatee

Hospital Hole Manatee

On our way home my son, being as curious as he is, looked for information about the sulfur springs, how are they formed, and why. He also looked for information about the Hospital Hole, sharing the fact that a diver drowned there in 1989. This is it for this post. Thanks for checking and sorry for the repeat...well...not really sorry. We enjoyed it. See you soon to share some Views From Our Kayak.

Manatee at the Hospital Hole

Hospital Hole (Weekie Wachee River)

Manatee in the Hospital Hole

It really came down in Florida's West coast last night. When I saw the tanic color of the Weekie Wachee paddling just out Rogers Park decided to cut my losses and made it a short one. Still had a blast exploring the Hospital Hole, which had around six manatees on it. All the pics are from the Hospital Hole and met two free divers who were preparing to dive into the hole. Had the chance to dive a few times deeper than I usually do and have to say this place is breathtaking. You look down into the darkness and if you do not feel a chill you are made of iron. Anyways...here are the pics of this trip...

Manatees resting at the wall of the Hospital Hole

Manatee

Looking up from the Hole

Curious Manatee comes closer

Looking Up

Looking up

Looking Up

Manatee at the Hospital Hole

Mom and Calf in the Hospital Hole

As you can see visibility was not good at the surface. You had to dive around 7 to 10 ft to get a clear view of what was going on. Once you passed that barrier it was incredibly beautiful. Manatees, school of fish, and the underwater scene of this place made this short trip worthy of the more than two hours drive from home. My wife wanted to go to Crystal River but I dislike that place so much that would rather paddle against the current in the Weekie Wachee for 3 or 4 hours before going back there.

Hospital Hole

School of Fish

Looking to the sky

Manatee

Manatee at the Hospital Hole

If you are a manatee advocate, let me tell you...I do like manatees too, do not harass them, and give them room when am taking the videos and pics. I say this because in the past some of you have left nasty messages and comments. In case you are thinking about doing the same, you do not know me so before you type the first thing out of your mind...think twice. Make a better use of your time and go fight the tour boats at Crystal River. Here you are barking at the wrong tree. Thanks for coming and receive and invitation for our next post. We will be sharing more Views From Our Kayak.

Manatee swims by at the Hospital Hole