Wild Manatee Kiss

[prem]

Not really a pet, but...there didn't seem to be anywhere else more appropriate for this post:



Right now, there are a number of Florida Manatees (a subspecies of the West Indian Manatee) taking refuge from colder winter waters at Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, Florida. This particular individual was very close to a landing where folks usually head out into the water to swim (no swimming is allowed while manatees are present in winter time). As it surfaced to take a breath, I got this nice shot of its whiskery, ugly-but-cute face.

Canon Digital Rebel XTi, 1/100s, f5.0, EF 70-300mm IS lens, polarizing filter to mute the water reflections.

---Prem