Monday, February 18, 2008

Moment of Zen: Manatee

Monday, February 18, 2008
9 comments
Don't know about you, but I cannot believe it's almost the third month of the year!
Where the heck did the time go?

Since its very auspicious start, 2008 has been a blur, sort of like looking at the world through a stretched piece of taffy, while riding a roller coaster, the roar of the wind drowning out all thought.

So I am trying to slow down a bit just now. Seeking a stillness.
Stillness. . . it's so elusive, isn't it, in this immediate gratification world of ours?

I'd like to share a few seconds of digital video that I recorded at Blue Spring State Park in Florida last month. Jeff, Liz, Lisa, and I went there seeking manatees and we saw at least 30. It was a clear, snappy-cold morning, so the manatees were attracted to the springs' warmer water. There is a calming stillness in the way this gentle, giant creature moves effortlessly through the water.

Hope you enjoy this Moment of Zen.

9 comments:

On February 18, 2008 at 4:18 PM Anonymous said...

Nice! Seeing those large gatherings of manatees is so cool!

This site (Blue Spring State Park)is nice because it's NOT a power plant outflow. Those sites have lots of warm water and also lots of warmth-seeking manatees. Problem is security concerns have placed most of the plant outflow sites off-limits here in FL.

Thanks for sharing this video.

On February 18, 2008 at 4:27 PM thepowerguides said...

Thank You for sharing , my wife and I try to get down to Florida every couple of years and must admit we go to Homosassa Springs just to see these wonderful creatures , It is funny but I was watching PBS yesterday about a close relative of the Manitee the Dugong which is not doing as well

Never been to Blue Spring State Park but maybe we should make the effort

steve

On February 18, 2008 at 8:45 PM Jayne said...

"Sometimes I see me as an old manatee
heading south as the waters grow colder. He tries to steer clear of the hum drum so near, it cuts prop scars deep in his shoulders.
That's how it flows, right to the end..His body's still flexible but that barnacle brain don't bend...."

Beautiful, beautiful sight to behold. Lucky you!

On February 18, 2008 at 8:55 PM Mary said...

They are beautiful enough to HUG. Lucky you! Love the zen.

On February 18, 2008 at 11:23 PM possumlady said...

They are such graceful gentle creatures. A friend of mine has a house right on Biscayne Bay and has a manatee frequently hanging around his dock. He named it "Chrissy" after me. I'm hoping that's a compliment.

On February 19, 2008 at 8:11 AM Anonymous said...

ever feel like the luckiest guy in the world Bill?

On February 19, 2008 at 9:03 AM Markus Jais said...

wonderful creatures. I didn't even know one could see them in Florida. I will definitely try to see them when I will be in Florida hopefully next year.

On February 19, 2008 at 7:31 PM The Zen Birdfeeder said...

Cool video. Hey, I like the "Zen" reference!

On February 23, 2008 at 12:00 AM April said...

I go see them at Homosassa Springs every year.

And every single time I am amazed at how big they are...as big as a large car. It just boggles my mind.


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