Manatee Viewing Center, Tampa & Bargains

February 1st - 6th, 2014

We didn't do much as the weather wasn't that good.  I spent the whole weekend watching Davis Cup tennis on TV and was so excited that GB beat USA.  Sorry my American friends but I have to go with Andy Murray and my heritage.:)  I don't usually get to see Davis Cup as obviously GB are not usually shown over here, so it was a real treat.
We went shopping to look for clothes for Ryan & Christina's wedding but I couldn't find anything so  I will probably wear something from my wardrobe.  Bryan got a new shirt, so he is set.
I did find a new hat and it was on sale, so that was even better.  I love a bargain. $8 down from $28!!
We also found our blinds at Lowes and yet another bargain.  They were originally $48 each and had been reduced to $11.98 each but in addition to that as someone had returned them they knocked another 10% off AND we got a further 10% military discount. We got each blind for $10.25 including tax, so two blinds for $20.50 instead of $104.72.  How amazing is that and they look sooo good.

Faux Wood Blinds

February 7th, 2014

Today, we gave up waiting for perfect weather and headed out to the Manatee Viewing Center, which is at a power plant in Tampa.  The manatees come to this area for the warm waters that are generated from the power plant. They are a protected species. Here is some information on Manatees. The Electric company have set up this refuge and although it is a small area it is a wonderful place to come and visit.

The oval shapes you can see in the water are the manatees

Posing with the "manatee" Do you like my new hat??

Bryan on the walkway through the mangroves 

I got this VIDEO of what I think was a Tricolored Heron.  He was fishing!!  Watch the big one that got away.  I have a feeling this was a baby heron.

The temperature of the water on this side of the walkway was 80 degrees.

This is a picture of the birds that are around this area. 

Here is a  Brown Pelican resting.  He really was quite pretty.

Here is another brown pelican cruising along 

A few minutes after this picture was taken I managed to get a video of him flying, swooping and catching a fish.  You can actually see him catch the fish. Watch closely at about a minute in.  I am amazed that I actually managed to catch this on VIDEO, yay!!! 

The water on this side of the walkway was 70 degrees. 

Here is a picture of the power plant that creates these warm waters.

Here is a VIDEO of some Fiddler Crabs.  You have to look closely to see them.  Good Luck.

Finally, here are two videos of the manatees.  The FIRST VIDEO is about six minutes long and the SECOND VIDEO is about a minute long. Not a lot happens during them apart from the occasional movement of the manatees, however there is a guide talking about the manatees in the background.  

My favorite videos are of the pelican catching the fish and the heron fishing.  We had a lovely day and I was fascinated just watching the manatees and birds.  

There was also a small butterfly garden (didn't see any butterflies) and a hurricane simulator which cost $2 to try & as I have no desire to know what a hurricane feels like, I didn't bother.