Okay, I know it is a little hard to see (manatees live in the water, duh!) BUT that large object taking up about 2/3rds of the frame is in fact a manatee. In the SW quadrant you see its back, then in the NW quadrant you see the back of its neck (do they have necks?) and head, and then in the NE you see the snout part (just the the right of the center of the frame, facing East-ish) and then in the SE, you see one flipper. See? This photo was taken as Mr. or Ms. Manatee surfaced within five feet of us after inspecting our kayak rudders. This manatee and about five others hung out with us for the better part of an hour, noshing on plant life and, you know, coming up for air and stuff.

I would still be out there now, if I didn't have folks waiting for us back on dry land. And books waiting for me to sign at the Sanibel Island Bookshop... oops! Til we meet again, sea cows... gotta go!

If you can't see what I'm talking about in the photo, then march yourself straight to Captiva Kayak Co., where naturalists Greg and Barb will show you what's what in the manatee-filled waters of the Gulf Coast. Top the experience off with a scoop or two of Queenie's homemade ice cream (try the key lime sorbet!) and you will know that your dream has indeed come true!