Big Picture
Text and Photography by Becky Kagan Schott
Each year tourists visit Florida for the theme parks and beautiful beaches. Not far from these popular attractions lies one of Florida’s hidden gems, a laid back place called Crystal River. Each year thousands of manatees travel here, seeking the warmth of the springs to escape the cold in the winter months. Boat tours, kayaking and snorkeling tours go out daily to allow
people to see these large mammals face-to-face. This is no Sea World; these are wild animals and there are rules and regulations put into place to protect them. Established sanctuaries, where people may not visit, ensure the manatee have a quiet place to not be disturbed. There are several great springs to see manatees on Crystal
River, but one of the most beautiful locations is called Three Sisters Spring. This is where I’ve had some of my most special interactions, and observed manatees interacting for the last
8 Magazine
fifteen years. A few years ago I was shooting some still photos in the morning and I felt a nudge from behind me. I thought another snorkeler had bumped into me but then I felt a tug on my arm. There was a manatee chewing on my drysuit! He continued to hold my arm and chew on the material, when he let go and I swam about 10 feet (3m) away, he followed me, intent on using me as chew toy! Snorkeling with the manatees is a special experience for
anyone who’s done it. I’ve taken groups of people of all ages there and introduced them to these incredibly gentile animals. In turn I hope that people go away with a new respect and understanding for manatees. With love brings a want to protect them for future generations. There is nothing like a face-to-face encounter with a manatee to leave you wanting to come back and share the experience with others.
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