365: The Reboot

The largest spring on the St. Johns River, Blue Spring is a designated Manatee Refuge and the winter home (mid-November through March) to a growing population of West Indian Manatees. With the temperatures finally dropping here in FL, I figured this morning would be the perfect opportunity to go check the Manatee Refuge out. I'm glad that I did. About a thirty minute drive from my downtown condo, Blue Spring State Park is tucked away in Orange City, FL. My primary goal was to check out the Manatees... but the entire park proved to be a beautiful surprise with lots of feathered and furry friends and stunning scenery. It's heart wrenching to see many of the manatees with scars from boating accidents. Listed on the endangered species list, West Indian manatees have no natural enemies except mankind.