FLORIDA (MANATEES & SPRINGS/CAVERNS) - FEBRUARY, 2008
All pictures © 2012 by Ken Kurtis
Click on the thumbnail picture for a larger, full-screen version

For those interested . . . 
Underwater: Nikon D200 in "manual" in an Ikelite housing with dual SB-105 strobes,
mostly at 1/16th power, 800 ISO, 18-70mm lens
Surface: Nikon D70 in "Program," 200 ISO.

(Click here to read the written trip report.)

THE MANATEES
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Our motley crew & our pontoon boat In front of King's Cavern Our quarry Soooo cute . . .
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Grabbing a sip of air Mother and calf Nursing Lovely face
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Speed limit sign Going to Three Sisters Much better viz Note Mangrove Snappers
using the manatee for shelter
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Coming to the surface The crowd Tuesday morning Grabbing a breath The sanctuary at Three Sisters
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Watching from a kayak A mess of manatees Coming out of the sanctuary Making way down the river
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Gotta breathe Watching a mother and calf Propeller-scarred tail Snoozing on the bottom
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RAINBOW RIVER
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Getting ready to start the drift Gar Turtle Diving bird
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SPRINGS & CAVERNS
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Cave/cavern rules Entering Blue Grotto (lights permitted) Down at the deepest Looking back from 60' deep
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Fresh-water catfish in Blue Grotto Warning sign at Manatee Springs Enjoying the view COLD morning. Note the air temp.
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Ginnie headsprings Basin of the main cavern Entering Ginnie (lights permitted) Looking at trees through the surface
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Clear water Warning/rules sign Bonnie Cardone posing the fish Diver-friendly equipment benches
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At Orange Grove Sink Map of the cave system The entrance to Orange Grove Duckweed Ken
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Under the duckweed Two cavers get in while we wait Gotta eat at Nell's (Branford) Rinse station at Troy Springs
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Underwater at Troy Looking up at Troy from 70 feet deep Mullets in the shallows The shallow wreck at Troy
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