Boats, birds, and a mammal or three

Blue Springs State Park was a favorite last year, so it was high on our list this year, too. Last year we saw some manatees, mostly as cute blobs in the water, and beat an early retreat because it was really cold. This year, with sunburn a bigger danger than cold, we did it right: a two-hour boat tour in the backwaters of the St. John River.

There was plenty to see. 

This chap is an American bittern. He's pretending to be a stalk of grass.

A female anhinga, mistress of all she surveys.


There were so many great and little blue herons we stopped paying attention to them.

A teenager shows off his or her style.











As for the manatees, there were indeed the familiar blobs in the water that look more like rocks than animals.

But in a lovely clear pool under the trees was what appeared to be mama manatee and two young 'uns. She seemed to be trying to wean them. They weren't having it. The result was a leisurely, graceful, gentle dance.