Blue Spring State Park is in the central part of Florida. The spring is a category 1 spring putting out 104,000,000 gallons of water per day! Yep, that is 104
million per day. The water flows into the north flowing Saint Johns River. From Blue Spring to the mouth of the river up by Jacksonville it is 170 river miles. The manatees numbered about 200 and swam those 170 miles to winter in the 72* spring waters.
The park covers 2,643 acres. Besides the manatee there are black bear, eagles, osprey, river otter, gators and Florida Cougar. The park has way too many birds to list here! I even saw 2 storks!
Here is my campsite:

A tarpon:

Gar:

A sleeping manatee:

Manatees sleep on the bottom of the river. When its time for some more air, without waking up, they come to the surface for fresh air then settle back on the bottom. They do not wake up! Pretty cool!
Getting a breath: