OFF Several Topics: Manatees and Groundhogs

[Guest guest]

On a lighter note, and very off topic, I did take the kayak out today

in search of the marvelous manatee.

With the cold snap we had this week, many of the warm-blooded

manatees headed in for warmer water. Our power plant draws cold

water in from the Caloosahatchee River and dumps warmer discharge

water into the Orange River, via a man-made ditch.

Imogene, my first date with my husband was at the " yankee ditch " .

We took string, raw chicken necks, and a net to catch blue crabs at

the outlet. I don't think we kept anything we caught, but I knew you

would enjoy a bit of Fort Myers nature lore. We live less than a

half a mile from that very spot.

Jim has been doing significant yard work and was in no mood to put

the waverunners in the water, so I hand-paddled down to Hansen's

Marine (landmark for Imogene) to sit and wait for my buddies to come

up. Although there seemed to be many manatees hanging around the

marina, they were not the very friendly ones that want you to scratch

their backs or tickle their tummies.

The manatees that were frolicking on Chrsitmas Day were much more

healthy than today's bunch. The ones that have been up the river for

a while now breathed quietly. The new crowd that was there today had

sounds of congestion in their breathing.

Usually I rely on their breathing to locate the critters, and today,

that strategy worked great, as many sounded like they had colds.

Last week they could sneak right up, and I couldn't hear them

breathing. Those that are more sensitive to the cold came up and

avoided being in the gulf as the temperatures dropped dramatically.

Many kayakers were on the river in search of manatees, and there were

small groups in many places all along the river. They love to eat

cattails and leather-leaf ferns along the banks. Before Lehigh

Acres cut a canal into the Orange River, it was a crystal clear

river. Now it is brown, and brackish, and does not support the

underwater vegetation it once did. Still, the warm water from the

power plant provides a place to get in out of the cold. At 68

degrees, they flock into our river.

There is a nuclear power plant near the Crystal River, further up the

west coast of Florida where the manatee also take refuge. They have

a longer Mantee season as they are colder than we are all year long.

I did get to pet one manatee near the marina, but he was shy and just

let me tap him, not a real petting.

Right up next to the discharge ditch, I was paddling close to shore

and surprised one right next to my craft. I touched him and he took

off for deep water in fright. The water was less than 3 feet deep

where I came upon them accidentally.

For those of you who play on GOOGLE EARTH, you can type in the

Manatee Park address in Fort Myers, and find the power plant, the

river, and how it drains back out to the Caloosahatchee. 5761 Palm

Beach Blvd., Fort Myers, Floria 33905

To see great clear water pictures of manatees, check out Homosassa

River+manatees. Crystal River sites will also have ads for swimming

with manatees.

I feel bad for you people who are weathered-in so much, and am trying

to bring you some outside joy right on your computers.

Now if you have big money, and are looking to live in a swanky

development, check the Verandah of fort Myers, by the Bonita Bay

group.

All the land that is now the Verandah used to belong to Jim's family

years ago. When his grandparents died years ago, Jim's dad was a

minor still, and was dirt poor, as well. The land was sold for taxes

and so all we have of any of that tract is 3.7 acres the family

rescued by the skin of their teeth. It is sad to think that the part

of the family that cared so much for the river, and wanted to

continue to live here, got the short end of the inheritance stick.

Spilled milk, alas!

I am hoping that during the next few weekends we will have better

manatee outtings, and better stories. I am not above hopping into

the water, and swimming with the beasts.

if you are a Google Earth nut like we tend to be, if you find where I-

75 crosses the Caloosahatchee River, you can spot where the Orange

River empties into the larger river. Another fun river to

investigate on the web is the RAinbow River in Dunellon, Florida.

the town is very quaint and they do many things during the winter

months to cater to the snowbirds. They only have two little motels,

and the best of the two, is mediorcre at best, not a destination city

for lodging.

So, for those of you whose computer is a lifeline to the world

outside of Lewyville, I leave you with some interesting nature sites.

As for Groundhog's Day, my Canadian friends, that is February 2nd.

it is my favorite holiday, because there is not one bit of

commercialism attached to it. you don't buy gifts, you don't send

cards, and it is a silly superstition, that if the groundhog sees his

shadow on Feb. 2. there will be six more weeks of winter. i just

think it is a great day to spread uncommercialized greetings to

anyone who is sick and tired of all the non-essential hoopla of the

Christmas season. I doubt there are any religious ties to the

groundhog, and therefore, it remains strictly, non-confrontational

turf to spread greetings to all. (I was kidding about the boxed

cards) Until Hallmark reads this post, the holiday is safe!

So, to all a good night, and sweet manatee dreams.

Enjoy your surfing!

Carol