   An example of manatee food, and just how shallow the water is in their habitat. You certainly have to be very patient and very quiet. They are somewhat curious and will, after some time, come up to the boat. But they can be very skittish as well, and swam away rather quickly. Their sense of sight is quite poor but their sense of smell and sense of hearing is supposed to be very good.  After a morning with the manatees, we went to St. George's Caye for a lunch break. St. George's Caye is a small island built up with some permanent homes and what looked to us like an abandoned resort. It was so peaceful and beautiful we were tempted to reopen the place ourselves.    As a nice little bonus to the trip, a few dolphins even gave us a little visit. The guide slowed the boat at one point and the dolphins tucked underneath to play and pose for the tourists.
   | A dream come true, Shannon got to see manatees. For those of you unfamiliar with the 'sea-cow', imagine the most docile, heavy-set, rounded thing you can think of and then give it flippers and a fat fan for a tail. They are incredible creatures. They live in sea-water or fresh water, eat seaweed and sea grass, and never get any faster than maybe 5km/h. The main danger manatees face these days would have to be speeding boats. they hear the motors approaching and try to head for deeper water, but they are slow and don't get out of the way fast enough. We weren't able to get in the water with them, but here are some images from underwater. There are some places where you can be a little more interactive with them. I think there is a place in Florida. If you would like to help a charity and adopt a manatee, check this place out: Save the Manatee Club            |
