Manatee migration

[Debbie]

www.accuweather.com/en/features/trend/horde_of_manatees_escape_to_wa/41784250

I saw this on my morning's weather forecast and was so delighted to see so many manatees. They were so so endangered when I was growing up. It's heartening to see so many of them.

Clever manatees, they're headed for a hot springs in Florida to avoid an incoming storm. And what's very nice is that the park actually closed for people for a few days so the manatees could enjoy being safe there. Kudos to the Park System for putting the animals first!

[harveydales]

Such lovely creatures. Good to hear their numbers are picking up.

[cadeby]

That's good to see. Manatees are such gentle creatures, but extremely vulnerable to poor water quality and boating injuries. It's lovely to see this group doing so well. Maybe it's a sign that the speed restrictions for boats imposed by Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission are working

I got offered a job at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park in Florida as a manatee research biologist but I didn't take it, because of a guy
Ummm....the idiocy of youth!!!

[colmworthdales]

What brilliant news. Really glad they escaped the storm - wonder if the herd/school/whatever is led by an old matriach - like elephants?

You would have had great time being a researcher 'Cadeby', but we have to make time for men sometime in our lives!

[yanny]

I love manatees. They're cute but so strange looking at the same time! I wish we got them in this country! I also think it's lovely that the park closed to keep them happy.

Lol Cadeby...I think most of us would do that for a guy

[Debbie]

That's a great question for Helen. I'd never paid much attention to their herd/pack/flock dynamics. Okay, what IS a group of manatees called?

*bwhahahah... side note, my 'murder' of crows was at least 40 strong a few weekends back when I had some nice men collect near the back gate at my farm. I discovered they were from a wetlands restoration group, there to power blast the moss from the bridge across our creek. You should have seen my murder of crows as they hopped along the fencelines to observe, heads low, feathers semi puffed, wings spread. They had my back as I went up to the men to find out what they wanted. I'm so used to have such an amassing of crows follow me (okay, I admit, I love crows), but it sure made these guys nervous. Ha, who needs flying monkeys when you've got a large murder of crows?

I would have loved to have seen this gathering of manatees though do they make calls and whistles? I've often wondered how men could mistake a manatee for some sylph like fair maiden. Even beyond delusional, I just don't see how they could possibly be the source of the mermaid myths.

Ah, as for the boy.... the older I get, the more I realize youth is truly wasted on the young!

[cadeby]

Well "the guy" was Martin and I went on to marry him, but there are days when I think the manatees might have been an easier option

Manatees don't live in herds or family groups. They are classed as solitary creatures,but they are often found in "aggregations" as they seek the same food/habitat as their peers. They are extremely vocal with a wide range of audible squeals, grunts and clicks. They also have a heart-breaking scream if they are frightened or injured.

I think sailors in days of old must have been permanently drunk on their rum ration, or perhaps they just liked bigger girls, or anything female after years at sea!!!

[Debbie]

*cough well, in that case, I think you made the correct choice Helen

As for the herd dynamics, that sounds a lot like Blossom complete with vocalizations!

... as for the sailors...hmmm... horses for courses? Or perhaps so blotto they couln't tell the stars for the waves?