Just like Florida tourists, manatees probably didn’t appreciate this year’s cold winter. Last week while my parents were in town, we visited the Manatee Viewing Area at Tampa Electric (TECO) in Apollo Beach where we saw hundreds of manatees – big ones and small ones – basking in the warm water discharge from the Big Bend Power Station.
In addition to manatees, we saw tarpon, spotted rays, other species of fish and birds. Quite the habitat is going on! Here’s a snapshot showing manatees, the power plant and reflection of some observers. If you can make it, I definitely recommend checking out the center. And when I receive the gift of time, will post more photos to my Flickr account from the trip.
March Manatee Madness! 2010, Manatee Viewing Center, Apollo Beach, Fla.
Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely.
The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo.
Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.
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My dog Radcliff’s paws led the way through Colorado’s breathtaking landscapes—from the dramatic depths of Black Canyon to a whispering ghost town. Scenic drives along Guanella Pass and wildflower-chasing detours made this dog-friendly summer road trip a memorable blend of adventure, nature, and tail-wagging joy.
After years of dreaming, I finally chased the aurora borealis in Fairbanks, Alaska—where dogsledding, reindeer walks, hot springs, and peaceful solitude made my winter solo adventure every bit as magical as I’d imagined.
great post as usual!