Manatee sightings in Wakulla Springs State Park

I came across the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park on the way from Tallahasse to my next stop, Crestview, and decided to check it out. The small park has archeological and historical significance, with a very nice Spanish lodge with its unique painted ceiling in the lobby. But I will always remember this park for my first ever sighting of so many manatees! The manatees in this photo got under the boundary marking the visitor swimming area. They came very close to the viewing platform where lucky visitors including myself oohed and aahed over the sight. More manatees could be seen surfacing every now and then in the distance. Fish were also jumping out of the clear water, although I could not identify id the species.

I took a walk into the lodge: the lobby was warm and welcoming with cozy sofas around a fire place, to the right was a restaurant with views of the garden and springs, and then, there was its painted ceiling. Very impressive!

While walking around the springs, I saw a boat coming back to the dock. Apparently that was the boat that took visitors around the springs. I found out that seats were available only for the last tour of the day at 4:30 pm and tickets had to be purchased at the lodge which I just left. Maybe next time ...