My snorkeling with the Manatees experience was short and sweet and I can’t wait to go back a do it again. This morning we had one very cooperative guy who “hung” around posing for photos.

Coming in for a closer look. This guy seemed just as interested in us as we were in him.

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If manatees could talk, what do you think he would be saying to us?

Images captured with Nikon D300, AF-S 14-24mm in Ewa Marine Housing on Lexar Digital Media.

What an excellent week with a great group of folks in fort DeSoto last week. We had colder temps than normal, what felt like gale force winds at times and a thunder storm complete with torrential rain one evening but, none of that stopped anyone from learning new techniques and applying them to their photography so that they all went home with a very nice collection of great images and memories. Thanks to everyone for making the safari such a fun time. And a special thanks to my “assistant”, Moose who went beyond the call of duty to make sure everyone was capturing beautiful images and learning proper shooting techniques.

Before heading back home to prepare for my next great adventure, DLWS Moab, I am spending a couple of days at Crystal River snorkeling and photographing the Manatees. What an amazing experience to have these gentle giants within reach, friendly and curious about the strange creatures that visit the waters they call home.

Schools of fish were nearly as tame as the Manatees, allowing a close approach for photographs.

Images captured with Canon G9 in Canon WP-DC21 underwater housing on Lexar Digital Media

This morning we headed back out to Fort DeSoto.  The usual suspects were there, including this Great Egret looking lovely in the soft, overcast light.

We were also treated to some preening behavior by a Great Egret who was totally uncaring about our presence as she worked her feathers for us.

There is nothing so lovely as a bird when preening, the curve of the nect, the ruffled feathers.

Images captured with Nikon D3, AF-S 600mm VR, TC-17E on Lexar Digital Media

Just who is that mystery man shooting with a Nikon AF-S 600mm VR?

Why, it’s none other than Scott Kelby, president of NAPP, who stopped by Fort DeSoto this morning to shoot with us for awhile. Moose set Scott up with his 600mm for a few shots and when he was done he confirmed what Larry Becker had said earlier in the week. “Moose, you really are a glass pusher.”

Unfortunately, he had to run…Photoshop World is coming up and he had lot’s to do.

The weather has been treating us very well. We were supposed to have thunder showers today and only go a sprinkle towards the end of the day. We went back to the rookery I visited last week and the Great Egret that had been displaying seems to have found a mate. There was alot of nest building, courtship and yes making whoopie. Hey, it’s that time of year. It was great to watch the behavior as the male would bring stick after stick to his new mate and the interaction between the two.

It was an overcast day to begin with and as the afternoon moved into evening, it was a great time to work on blur pans.

Images captured with Nikon D3, AF-S 600mm, TC-17E on Lexar Digital Media.