Tampa Electric – Skywatch Friday
Having learned that Jeff’s illness is terminal, we decided to take a short vacation with our kids. Florida seemed like a good choice—lots of sunshine, short plane ride, familiar. Well, we had sunshine, but it was definitely chilly. Still it was a good 20 degrees warmer (at least) than at home each day, so we were happy.
But what to do in Florida if it’s too cold to play on the beach or swim in the pool? All kinds of stuff as it turns out! There are some great museums, parks and zoos along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Some things are even free, like the Manatee Viewing Center at Tampa Electric pictured here.
Every winter, the water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico cools down beyond what the manatees can tolerate. So they migrate into warmer waters like this clean, warm water return canal at Tampa Electric’s Big Bend Station. Manatees are equally at home in salt- or fresh water, but it must be above 68°F because they do not have blubber to insulate them from cold temperatures.
All those spots in the water are the heads or backs of manatees. The Manatee Viewing Center is staffed almost exclusively by volunteers and retired Tampa Electric employees. Admission is offered free to the public, but donations are welcomed.
For more great sky shots from around the world, check out Skywatch Friday.
But what to do in Florida if it’s too cold to play on the beach or swim in the pool? All kinds of stuff as it turns out! There are some great museums, parks and zoos along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Some things are even free, like the Manatee Viewing Center at Tampa Electric pictured here.
Every winter, the water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico cools down beyond what the manatees can tolerate. So they migrate into warmer waters like this clean, warm water return canal at Tampa Electric’s Big Bend Station. Manatees are equally at home in salt- or fresh water, but it must be above 68°F because they do not have blubber to insulate them from cold temperatures.
All those spots in the water are the heads or backs of manatees. The Manatee Viewing Center is staffed almost exclusively by volunteers and retired Tampa Electric employees. Admission is offered free to the public, but donations are welcomed.
For more great sky shots from around the world, check out Skywatch Friday.
Comments
What a neat place to go to .. who would have thought an electric station would have something so neat. :0)
Wishing you well.
Sydney - City and Suburbs
That smoke can acting like a cloud if you clone it somewhere else.. :)
have a great weekend!
Come watch the sky with me!
Happy Weekend ahead!
xoxo
~fickle
Lots of Hugs and Prayers,
Betsy
Nice weekend
leethroughthelens.blogspot.com
Sorry about the cold Florida weather.
Happy weekend.
I've just finished reading your other blog and send my thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Manatees are very cool. My parents used to live in Naples and there is a nature center nearby where they had habitat. I think you have to be pretty lucky to see them. I believe I remember that they need clean water. So sorry about Jeff. I will keep your family in my heart and prayers. ♥
For this one photo, your watermark should read "Adrienne in Tampa"!
I am keeping you and your husband in my prayers every day...
I'm so glad that you all had that precious time together.
They would so love to see them in the wild.
Thenks for the photo.
PS...one of my girls is Adrienne :)
I'm a friend of Angie's and also came over from her blog today. My prayers are with you and your family. You seem like a very strong woman and your children are very lucky to have you as their mom! I'm praying for your husband:-)
Manatee are so cool!!
They just shipped the manatee from the cincinnati zoo to somewhere in FL to release back into the waters there!
Take care.