Manatees

Near our friends home, there is a place to see manatees.

Each winter, the ugly beasts come to the warm waters created by this coal-fire electric plant. 

This gal told us all about manatee biology  and preservation. 

There was also a small indoor museum. Half was about manatees. Half was about clean energy. 

We even got to have a lesson in plumbing as our picnic tables were below the restrooms. (:

Petting sting rays was fun. 

Searching for birds and spotting many other forms of wildlife, including quite a variety of fish, we enjoyed the trail out onto the dock. 

Next, we hiked another trail out to a 50' observation tower (seen below in the background) from which we could see kayak trails through mangrove forests. Using the word "trails" to refer to waterways has been a new thing, here in Florida. 

Such amazing sights in this subtropical world.