Day 361 (Manatees)

I have never seen a real live manatee. Manatees are pretty much my favorite animal, so I was not about to leave Florida without seeing one. Trying to find one in the wilds of the Everglades was a bust, so I decided that we needed to visit the Homosassa Wildlife Park, where you are basically guaranteed to see them. What we did not expect to see there was a hippo.

Lou the hippo technically should not be at the Homosassa Wildlife Park, which is supposed to showcase Florida wildlife, but when local residents heard he was going to be moved, they protested and Lou was made an honorary citizen of Florida, giving him a home at Homosassa for as long as he lives.

Of course, there were alligators...

And, lots of birds...

The obligatory mushroom find...

And, of course, manatees!!!

Aren't they cute?

PICTURE OF THE DAY:

Day 360 (Florida Keys)

Today, my mom and I explored the Florida Keys.

This was the first beach that we stopped at. There were some crabs, and we saw squid swimming in the water! (I didn't try to take a picture 'cuz I knew you wouldn't be able to see anything, but it was really cool!)

This was the bridge that we had to cross to get to that beach!

Some pictures of Key West, including mile marker 0, where Interstate 1 starts!

There's these wild chickens running around all over the place there. The waitress at the restaurant told us that they are protected by law and that in the morning, you can hear dozens of roosters crowing. These in the picture are just juveniles; apparently they get much bigger.

PICTURE OF THE DAY: