Florida & Tennessee Day 9 - 28th May 2012

Crystal River 

Mangrove Snapper eye me suspiciously...

Manatee from above in the clearer water near the Springs...

Huge paddle tail with a little chunk out of the side. Most of the adults had scaring on their bodies from boat encounters...

Happily grazing as it passes me...

Hello!

Tropical Storm Beryl had caused a large storm tide, which had flooded the barbeque area of this riverside house...

Me swimming down to the spring source...

The flooding meant that juicy leaves that had previously been out of reach were now available.

Joined by another group as we watch a pair happily chew this bush (I'm the one on the left)...

An incredibly curious juvenile checking me out.

It's this curiosity that can get them into trouble with outboard motors.

He came right up to my face, it was a wonderful moment...

Memphis

Reluctantly we left Crystal River at lunchtime to drive to Tampa to catch an afternoon flight to Memphis for the second half of our trip.

Miche with the port & truffles that were sent to our room each evening; what with that and the glass of wine they give you as check in, we thoroughly enjoyed the southern hospitality...

The southern theme, continued with a dinner of gumbo and fried catfish and with the Mississippi flowing by 200 yards away, it would have been wrong not to have Mud Pie for dessert...