Marine Life

Yesterday and today we watched the dolphins swim by close to shore.  There seems to be a pair that travel together and then a third that follows.  We also watched the manatees swimming between two sets of pilings just off the shore.

Today we were fortunate enough to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium courtesy of a wonderful lady we met at the pool.  She volunteers there and was able to give us free passes.  If you have seen the movie "Dolphin Tale" you will be familiar with their star resident, Winter.  If you do not know the story, Winter was caught in a crab trap and lost her tail.  She would have died except for a prosthetics company that made her a prosthetic tail.  She has has 19 tails so far, each one being improved and replaced as she grows.

Here is a short video of Winter as she did her daily physical therapy session with her tail.

In addition to Winter the aquarium has several other marine animals that they have rescued.  There are other dolphins, one being Nicholas.  He had his mother, Noelle, were found beached.  Noelle died and Nicholas needed a lot of care.  He will never be able to be released because he did not have time to learn from his mother the things he needed to survive on his own.  But he is a performer!  

The aquarium is very friendly and hands-on.  We even got to pet the sting rays.

After the aquarium we came back and relaxed in the pool.  The sky is "milky" tonight.  It's the tropical storm system that is moving up the Gulf of Mexico heading for the panhandle, Alabama and Louisiana. We may get some rain but not until later this weekend.  

I may not blog every day so if you don't hear from me tomorrow keep checking.    

Until then.