Time To Visit The Manatees

How’s The Sea Cow Now
By Adrian Newby
   Don't you love cold weather? Dead car batteries and busted pipes, don't they just make your day? No? Well, it isn't all bad, it gives us manatees! Well, not really, but it sure does consolidate them! Last year at Blue Springs State Park on the 17th of January there was a record 729 manatees. Which is a truly incredible sight.
   Manatees in Florida have really made an astounding population recovery in the past years. Their populations have grown from 1,758 recorded in 2002 by aerial survey all of the way up to 5,733 in 2023. With the years in-between seeing their number break 6,600.
   Their populations were primarily being hurt by habitat loss, pollution, and collisions with boats. Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other chemicals people put on their yards have, with the help of road run-off and other pollutants, lowered water quality, and damaged seagrass beds. Which hurts manatees a lot as a grown manatee eats 10-15% of their body weight in seagrass on a daily basis. Which is saying a lot as they have been recorded as weighing up to 3,500 pounds!
   We have loved to go to Blue Springs on cold days for several years now, and it is always a good time. It is always a good day when you get to see a bunch of manatees just having a good old time while swimming around. If you go, it is best to head there in the morning, as when they reach capacity the park doesn’t reopen.
   Not only is it fun to see the manatees hanging around in the crystal clear water, but the park itself is quite beautiful. If you would like, you could go on one of the various tours offered. They offer guided tours on a pontoon boat, or Segway, as well as rental options for self-guided tours on kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards. You can book your tours online for any of their coming days. There are many tour times each day so you have some options.
   Another plus for visiting Blue Springs is that it is quite cheap when compared to other parks. It is only six dollars for a normal vehicle, four for a single-occupant vehicle, and only two for pedestrians. However, we wouldn't advise walking, it might be kinda lonely.
   While manatees are very cute they aren't the only reason to go to Blue Springs. On-site, you will also find the Historic Thursby homestead. It's a living history museum that tells the story of an old Florida family that made their home in our now beloved Blue Springs.
   So just for the record, if you are looking for a fun day trip to fill a quiet January or February day consider Blue Springs in your plans. Pack a picnic basket (or get a meal there) and head out to Blue Springs State Park for a manatee and history-filled day. For any questions, you can reach their office at 386-775-3663 or online at floridastateparks.org.