Manatee Springs Florida, a hidden gem

With the addition of over 100 million gallons of water daily, Manatee springs is one of Florida's largest natural springs and a natural national landmark.  It is home to manatee in the winter months (and we missed them by 2 days!) but that opened up the 25 foot deep pool for swimming in brisk but beautiful clear spring water.  It was an amazing spot, beautiful freshwater swamps and lots of wildlife.  A new favorite Florida destination for me!

The swamps were beautiful.  It looked like this tree was a maple, the little red things were similar to the helicopters we get on the maples each fall.

I think if I were learning to kayak, this would be the place to do it. The waters were so calm and the current from the springs made for a nice easy drift outward. 

I think that all of those cone shaped things are roots.  I'm not really sure.  But all of the foreground was swamp, but it was freshwater so there wasn't an odor.  Just beautiful.

He seemed to be the traffic director as you entered the river.  

Lots of oak trees, so, lots of squirrels!

The first thing that struck me about Florida woodlands was the coexistence of palms and other trees. The palmettos are made into a dish called swamp cabbage.  Not my favorite way to eat hearts of palm, but a local favorite.

The banded watersnake: not venomous but still not something I wanted to mess with!

Tarpon Springs, Florida

The birds were everywhere!  I noticed 3 types of gulls and none of them were shy.  

I think this is a great blue heron.  This was a huge bird, beautiful with some interesting mannerisms.

These horseshoe crab could really move! they were so fast!

I think that this is a great egret.  Its neck seemed to bend in every direction.

One of the many birds.

A tale of 2 churches

 Nine people were shot and killed during a Bible study session at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina at 9 pm on June 17, 2015.  A few flowers adorn the gate next to this sign and serve as a reminder of what transpired.

 St John the Baptist Catholic Cathedral in Savannah, Georgia was dedicated in 1876, burned in 1898 and was rededicated in 1912. The interior is beautiful: no signs of the early tragedy.

 

Savannah and the beautiful old homes

Yesterday was a gorgeous day and in Savannah, that means  everyone was outside.  We walked around Forsyth Park and enjoyed the views of homes constructed in the 1800s.  

I love the porches, gardens and staircases.

The city had so many squares lined with trees. It is just a beautiful city!

On the road again: Smoky Mountains!

We had the opportunity to drive through Smoky Mountain National Park during the late afternoon, just before sunset.  Wintertime colors are muted, and patches of snow and ice dotted the landscape.  These are just a few of my faves.