Photos and video from the 2018 – 2019 season at Blue Spring State Park
Special thanks to Save the Manatee Club staff members Wayne Hartley, Manatee Specialist, and Cora Berchem, Manatee Research & Multimedia Specialist, for their work to document the manatees this season and provide us with all the wonderful photos, video, and information.
A photo of Moo Shoo from the 2018 – 2019 manatee season at Blue Spring State Park. She has made several visits to the park this season.A photo of Una on November 28, 2018. You can clearly see her scarred flipper from monofilament entanglement.
Whiskers takes a snooze at Blue Spring on December 12, 2018.Gator surfaces to breathe on December 13, 2018. He was one of the earliest visitors to the park, showing up on November 17, 2018.
Annie on December 12, 2018. You may recall that Annie gave birth to a new calf at Blue Spring in August 2018 — for the amazing 4th time! Annie and the calf have been in several times this season.Paddy Doyle (in the center), hangs out at Blue Spring with fellow manatees on December 13, 2018.
A nice photo of Aqua. She surprised us by coming in with a calf on November 29th and the duo have made several visits this season.Phyllis rises to take a breath. She was spotted at Blue Spring near the end of November with her new calf. The calf was first recorded on Save the Manatee Club’s above-water camera on May 16, 2018.
A great photo of Nick taken on December 13, 2018 at Blue Spring State Park. He made his first appearance on December 6th, along with fellow adoptee Whiskers.The water may be a bit cloudy, but the scars show that it is clearly Margarito at Blue Spring on December 16, 2018. Click here to see the scar chart for Margarito and other manatees.
Lucille first visited Blue Spring at the end of November and has made several appearances since then. Wayne Hartley, Save the Manatee Club’s Manatee Specialist, reported she has a new boat strike of three propeller cuts on her right flank, but they appear to be superficial.Lily first visited Blue Spring in mid November with fellow adoptee Floyd. Here she is on December 13, 2018. In January, a warm spell caused the manatee count to drop. Lily was the only adoptee present on January 9th. She has visited many times this winter. Perhaps she will be the attendance champion!Lenny shows his sweet mug during the 2018 – 2019 season at Blue Spring State Park.
A good look at Floyd’s distinctive scar near the base of his tail. He was spotted resting at Blue Spring on December 27, 2018. He was one of the earliest adoptees to visit this season, along with Lily and Gator.A photo of Doc captured on January 3, 2019 at Blue Spring State Park. He made his first appearance for the season on November 29th.Deep Dent was the first manatee ID’d by Manatee Specialist Wayne Hartley when he conducted “manatee roll call” on December 7th, which was also Deep Dent’s first appearance for the 2018 – 2019 manatee season.“Jenga” from the charming web comic “Man versus Manatee” by Rachel Arnow. See more of Rachel’s manatee comics at mvsm.omnomzom.com or on her Facebook page. She puts out a new comic each “Manatee Monday.”