A west Indian manatee, (Trichechus manatus), glides silently below Silver Glen Spring, Florida.

A west Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) floats suspended in space , Silver Glen Spring, Florida.

Florida gar, (Lepisosteus platyrhincus) hide in the shadows, Ichetucknee Spring, Florida.

Florida Gar, (Lepisosteus platyrhincus) bunch together under floating mats of vegetation competing for the best ambush spot.  Ichetucknee Spring, Florida.

Flathead Grey Mullet, (Mugil cephalus) school in one of the crystal clear spring-heads of Ichetucknee Spring, Florida.

Flathead Grey Mullet, (Mugil cephalus) swim across the boundary where blue spring water meets slightly tannin colored water.  Mullet have evolved camouflage to blend in to the water where they spend most of their time.  Weeki Wachee Spring, Florida.

Two Florida gar, (Lepisosteus platyrhincus) swim in formation.  Ichetucknee Spring, Florida.

A river cooter, (Pseudemys concinna) swims across the top of eel grass (Vallisneria).  Ichetucknee Spring, Florida.

A Florida Gar, (Lepisosteus platyrhincus) hovers just below the surface of Ichetucknee Spring, Florida.  The gar family,(Lepisosteidae) evolved during the late Cretaceous, and since that time has changed very little. 

West Indian Manatees, (Trichechus manatus) enjoying the warm waters of Volusia Blue Spring, Florida.

A West Indian manatee, (Trichechus manatus) shows scars, most likely from boat propeller strikes.  Silver Spring, Florida.

West Indian Manatees, (Trichechus manatus) swim and congregate in Volusia Blue Spring, Florida.

A West Indian manatee, (Trichechus manatus) showing a recent scar from a boat propeller strike.  Silver Spring, Florida.

Juvenile American alligators, (Alligator mississippiensis) bask in the sun near the bank of Silver Glen Spring, Florida.  While alligators do not nurture their offspring, even non-related adult alligators are known to come to the aid of juveniles upon hearing distress cries. 

A green heron, (Butorides virescens) perches above the waters of Silver Glen Spring, Florida and watches for dinner.  Green heron are among the most intelligent of the heron family.  They have been known to use fishing lures to attract small prey. 

Flathead grey mullet, (Mugil cephalus) school in Ichetucknee Spring, Florida.

West Indian Manatee

(Trichechus manatus)

Silver Glen Spring, Florida

A juvenile turtle Sp. unknown, Rainbow Springs, Florida.

Primitive looking Florida gar, (Lepisosteus platyrhincus) school while facing into the current.  Ichetucknee Spring, Florida.

A solitary West Indian Manatee, (Trichechus manatus) is illuminated by the setting sun.  Silver Glen Spring, Florida.