nature

Posts Tagged ‘nature’

Swimming with Manatees, Florida’s Gentle Giants

Friday, January 20th, 2012

They may not have the strength and grace of killer whales, or the agility and looks of dolphins, but manatees are stealing the show at Homosassa Springs in Citrus County, Florida.

Manatee

An upclose look at a manatee underwater at the springs of Crystal River (Photo by NaluPhoto, iStockphoto.com)

For families who want to enjoy nature at its best, a nature wonderland is hidden behind Orlando’s amusement parks. There is another Florida, a nature-lover’s Florida. Our latest trip took us to the manatees’ home turf, a far cry from a modern-day aquarium. My daughter and I aimed our compass south to Florida’s west central coast line and the Gulf of Mexico, and it is here in Citrus County that we met one of the most formidable aquatic mammals.

How to Swim with Manatees
Our days started early in the morning, as this is the perfect time to snorkel with the manatees before they get tired of visitors. We boarded a pontoon boat with one of the few female captains in the area, Traci Wood from Native Vacations. Having spotted two manatees just below the water, Captain Traci stopped the boat as the duo slowly glided towards us. They used their paddle-like tails to propell themselves up and down and, steering with their flippers, to gracefully move their 12-foot-long bodies through the water. Our boat was soon surrounded by this gentle species.

Soon we resumed our journey. Within a few minutes Captain Traci stopped the boat again and we were given instructions. Whatever you do, she said — and it doesn’t matter how excited you are — remember the three golden rules: minimize splash noise; act with very slow movements; and when you do touch one of these friendly, gentle gray giants on the back or stomach, never touch with more than one hand at a time. Two hands are illegal. The Endangered Species Act forbids touching a manatee unless it touches you first, and they will let you know. The rules are strict in Homosassa, and the protection of this endangered species is taken very seriously. There is absolutely no chasing, riding or harassing the manatees. But these rules won’t diminish your experience in the least bit. Most of Homosassa manatees are very social and will come to you.

In Florida, waking up one of these 2,000-pound sleeping beauties will cost you a whopping fine, but it is perfectly legal to snorkel or swim with these playful, inquisitive kids of the deep when they are awake and trying to make your acquaintance.

At Three Sisters Springs, very slowly we entered the water, trying not to disturb the manatees and also trying to keep down the amount of sediment rising from the bottom of the river. Upon our descent, some of the manatees were still sleeping while others were slow-paddling around.

Swimming with the manatees is not at all difficult or intimidating. There were children younger than my daughter, Ilse (who is 10), as well as seniors in the water. There was an abundant feeling of energy and curiosity among us all.

Manatee eating lettuce

A manatee snacking on water lettuce (Photo by Bel Kembach)

About Manatees
A manatee is very big, measuring 10 to 15 feet and weighing one ton, although some larger than 12 feet and weighing as much as 3,500 pounds have been recorded in Florida. They devour over four to nine percent of their body weight each day (200 pounds of greens) by eating five to eight hours daily to maintain their beautiful rotund shape. They’re strictly herbivores, but they eat a great variety of aquatic plant species, including water hyacinth, hydrilla and water lettuce. Much to our surprise this official marine mammal of Florida is also nearsighted.

Manatees are wild, although when looking at one nose-to-nose you’ll have second thoughts about just how wild they are. They turned over and bared their bellies for us to rub, and swam alongside and nibbled at us.

What to Do on Land
Since not all visitors want to get nose-to-nose with the manatees, non- swimmers can also view these endangered mammals at Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park. The park provides refuge for captive-born manatees and is a halfway house for rehabilitating those who will be returned to the wild. Some manatees that have been injured or orphaned will spend their lives in the park since they are unable to survive in the wild. The park also serves as a research and observation center, offering three daily educational programs to the public.

The park also showcases an impressive menagerie of native Florida wildlife including alligators, birds, and bears. It is located at the headwaters of the crystal clear Homosassa River, a natural spring that gushes forth millions of gallons of fresh water per hour.

Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park

Bel’s daughter, Ilse, posing at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park (Photo by Bel Kembach)

When and Where to Go
From December to March, groups of manatees escape the cold winter ocean and bask in the warm waters near power plants and coastal springs that stay about 72F degrees year-round. Snorkelers, divers and swimmers come from all over the world for a chance to swim or interact with the shy, docile West Indian manatee in its natural environment. Numerous dive sites, inland springs, good underwater visibility, calm water, and its wintering manatee population have made Citrus County a popular destination for nature lovers.

Abundant plant life makes the area an ideal playground for the manatees, who arrive every year by the hundreds to find warmth, food and maybe, just maybe, to visit us, the curious humans. The area is also safe for these endangered mammals whose lives are often cut short by environmental factors and fatal encounters with speeding watercraft.

Crystal River is the only place in the world for snorkelers to swim with the West Indian manatee in relatively clear water. Citrus County and Crystal River is less than a 1.5-hour drive from Orlando, Tampa or Daytona. Visit the Citrus County Visitors & Convention Bureau website to learn more about the area.

Where to Stay
I recommend staying at the Plantation Golf Resort & Spa for its lovely accommodations and guided wildlife excursions. It is an eco-friendly resort and proud member of the Green Hotels Association and Eco Friendly Hotels Worldwide. This hotel is perfectly located to view the manatees daily.

Why to Go
Once you have swam next to a mother manatee and her newborn calf in the wild, it is inconceivable that anyone could hurt them. Like many visitors, my daughter and I left with this place with unforgettable memories and became avid supporters of protecting and preserving these friendly, docile creatures for generations to come. We believe there is hope that the manatee may yet be saved from extinction, but the public needs to become aware of the problem. These gentle giants are so impressive in their size and manner; it is difficult not to fall in love with them. Truth is, swimming with manatees is a life altering experience.

How to Help
Your family can help manatee conservation efforts! Adopt a manatee for just $25 through the Save a Manatee Club. Ask your children to choose from a list of adoptable manatees and select those that match your family members’ personalities.

Would you swim with manatees if given the chance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Professor Bel Kambach teaches Ecotourism and the Environment at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and brings all her Ecotourism students to teach a lesson in conservation to her daughter’s school’s Saving Endangered Species program. Bel can be reached via her blog, Bel Explores, on the Bel Explores Facebook page, or on Twitter at @BelExplores.

5 Safety Tips for Camping with Kids

Friday, May 20th, 2011

Camping is a great family activity, but exposing kids to the outdoors can incur unnecessary safety risks. As a parent, you are responsible for teaching your children not only about the wonders of nature, but also about its hidden dangers. Anything could happen while in the wild, so here are five camping precautions to stay safe when camping with children.

Camping with Kids

Wear the right clothes.
Temperatures rise and there is no thermostat to regulate the outdoors. The only way to cope with the constant weather changes is to protect your kids with the proper clothes. Dressing in layers keeps children warm, while letting them peel off the outer layers when they feel hot. Also, bring lightweight jackets, hats, and caps in case it rains as well as hiking boots for rough terrain.

Always drink purified water.
Bring bottled water for you and your children. You never know what you could get from drinking water with contaminants. Common camper’s illnesses like diarrhea, stomachaches, and bloating come from drinking unclean H2O. Since bottled water can be difficult to carry, so consider packing iodine tablets instead. They dissolve quickly into the water and kill parasites, bacteria, and other contaminants.

Pack all your food.
While foraging for berries “survivor style” looks like something your tyke would want to try, it’s not really in his best interest. Wild berries are best left for bears. Bring all of your food with you, even if you are planning to camp for a week. Trail mix, granola bars, fruits, and breads are portable enough to carry to the campsite without being too much of a bother. And they are nutritious enough to keep you and the kids well fed and healthy during the camping trip.

Beware of poisonous plants and insects.
While you can apply topical treatments to cure insect bites, you can’t do much about poison oak, ivy, and sumac except to tell your kids not to go near any of these plants. Even before you get the tent and the sleeping bags ready, show your children photos of poisonous plants that you may encounter during the trip and tell them not to touch anything that looks like the items in the pictures. Insects, on the other hand, can be kept away with citronella-based repellents applied to your child’s skin. If all else fails and your kid contracts an insect bite allergy (noted by hives, swelling, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing) an antihistamine can help while you rush to the nearest hospital.

Teach children how to react to emergencies.
Whether we like it or not, children may get lost or eat a poisonous berry. When crunch time comes, you have to be ready to deal with health issues; in addition, your child has to know how to let you know they are in danger. Hang a whistle on a chain around his neck. Teach your child, when in danger, to whistle three times. This is the universal call for help. But tell him it is only for emergencies in order to prevent unnecessary alarm.

Belle writes for NDParks.com, where you can read reviews on state parks camping as well as about her family camping gear list.

What’s the biggest family camping fiasco you’ve ever experienced? Let us know in the comments below!

San Diego Botanic Garden – An Enchanting Place for Children

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Our family loves to visit botanical gardens when we travel. It allows us to spend time outdoors and we get a feel for the personality and natural beauty of our destination. Plus it gives the kids a chance to run around and get some of their wiggles out!

A plant sculpture at the San Diego Botanic Garden

In our hometown, we are members of the San Diego Botanic Garden (formerly named Quail Botanical Gardens). This is one of San Diego’s best hidden gems. It contains not one but TWO children’s gardens full of hands-on activities. Plus there are plenty of walking paths lined with beautiful plants and flowers from around the world. In total, there are 27 themed gardens to choose from.

The Seeds of Wonder Children’s Garden miniature train
is always a hit with kids

Seeds of Wonder Children’s Garden
This garden is all about simple pleasures for toddlers and preschoolers. There are buckets of soapy water with tons of wands for blowing bubbles. A sand pit hides small plastic dinosaurs perfect for little hands to dig up. Kids can pretend to be mommy or daddy in a child-sized wooden house outfitted with a kitchen and utensils. Children can get their hands dirty doing a bit of gardening by transplanting tiny succulents from one container to a take-home plastic pot, filling it up with a wee bit of soil and then spraying their new treasure with a spritz of water. My train-loving toddler’s favorite part of the Seeds of Wonder Children’s Garden is the miniature train that chugs through the garden.

My son, Leo, digging for dinosaurs last year

Hamilton Children’s Garden
This newer children’s garden is much bigger than the cozy original and is geared for a slightly older audience of school-aged children. The Hamilton Children’s Garden has less greenery and shade, but it is ever-so-fun nonetheless. The centerpiece is Toni’s Tree House, complete with rope bridges, tunnels, and a spiral staircase for exploring.

Leo climbing Toni’s Tree House

The Incredible Edibles teaches children about the plants and herbs we eat. The Pencil Arbor and Bonsai Sketching Area is equipped with coloring sheets and a trellis on which children can hang their creations. Garden Rhythms encourages children to make music with instruments made from items found in nature, like rocks, sticks and water. There’s a labyrinth, a sundial, a giant tic-tac-toe board, and more to discover in this sprawling garden.

The Spell & Smell Garden is filled with labeled potted plants, each of which starts with a different letter of the alphabet.

Tropical Rain Forest
After visiting one or both of the children’s gardens, you can meander through the rest of the gardens. All are beautiful, but one of my personal favorites is the Tropical Rain Forest. I love Hawaii and this feels like a wee slice of Polynesia in San Diego. This is a great place to sit on a bench to listen to the sound of waterfalls and breathe in the sweet scent of over-sized flowers in a lush landscape…for as long as your children will let you.

A waterfall in the Tropical Rain Forest Garden

Subtropical Fruit Garden
A visit to the Subtropical Fruit Garden is fun and educational because children can see with their own eyes how some of their favorite fruits, like bananas and oranges, actually grow on trees; they are not manufactured in a factory and delivered to grocery stores just so people can eat them!

A bunch of bananas growing in the Subtropical Fruit Garden

Mexican Garden
The Mexican Garden is a darling spot filled with plants in a fiesta of colors. There is also a fountain decorated with painted Mexican tiles and sculptures of a mariachi band and a flamenco dancer formed from greenery.

The fountain in the Mexican Garden

Bamboo Garden & Bamboo Pond
A walk through the giant stalks of bamboo feels otherworldly. Read the signs aloud to the kids so they can learn that Bamboo is actually a grass that can grow up to 30 feet in one season! The Bamboo Pond is filled with lilly pads and a hoppy frog or two.

My daughter, Karissa, in front of some of the smaller stalks of bamboo

Old World Desert Garden
Those unfamiliar with the desert landscape should walk through the Old World Desert Garden to get a peek at cacti, succulents and bright desert flowers. Just be sure to keep toddlers in their strollers in case they want to pet the prickly plants!

A splash of vibrant desert flowers amongst succulents and cacti

What Else You Should Know
The San Diego Botanic Garden is located in Encinitas, a little over a half-hour drive north from downtown. If you are on a tight budget, visit on the first Tuesday of the month when entrance is free. Plan to do a lot of walking up and down hills here – your glutes will definitely get a good workout, especially if you’re pushing a stroller!

The San Diego Botanic Garden holds special events throughout the year, like a children’s Fairy Festival in the summer and a Garden of Lights holiday celebration in December.

The Gift Shop and Nursery sells gardening tools, plants, wind chimes, and gardening books. The bad news (or the good news?!) is that there are very few toys or souvenirs for the kiddies here.

The Kona Koffee Hut sells coffee drinks, sodas and juices as well as simple snacks like string cheese, Goldfish crackers, and ice cream treats. On the counter, a tongue-in-cheek sign states, “Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy.” Go here if you’ve got a bit of the munchies, but if you want to have a picnic in the gardens, you should pack your own lunch.

San Diego is so stuffed with fun things to do that this family-friendly attraction often gets overlooked. If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of a theme-park-packed vacation, a visit here gives the whole family a chance to slow down and connect with nature.

Do you have a favorite botanical garden? Please tell us about it in the comments below!