Weekend Pics 12/12/04

Weekend pictures:

Blue Springs:
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2463
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2464&sort=1&size=medium&cat=504
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2465&sort=1&size=medium&cat=504
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2466
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2467
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2468&sort=1&size=medium&cat=504
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2469
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2470

The Cow Restaurant:
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2471
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2472
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2473
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2474&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

Dive report posted: http://cavediver.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=2966#2966

[ARY]

Got a kick in the groin from this one:
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2405&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=1
Especially if you crop some upper part of it above the head. Did you mean that porno background on purpose?

[DeWayne]

Got a kick in the groin from this one:
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2405&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=1
Especially if you crop some upper part of it above the head. Did you mean that porno background on purpose?

LOL :lol: Don't go giving the guys who are experts with photoshop and strange ideas. :roll:

Got a kick in the groin from this one:
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2405&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=1
Especially if you crop some upper part of it above the head. Did you mean that porno background on purpose?

No, I never really saw it that way until you mentioned it. It kind of takes the shape of a person.

[tomhauburn]

Chip.
We went a couple of weeks ago and had a good time. Andrey had warned me about the flow but said you have to experience it to understand. I am fully aware now after having watched a buddy do two flips in doubles with no air in his wings and gain 30 ft in a very short time. My housing I ordered had not come in at the time but my buddy took shots using his HID as a stobe which did not show anything much on the camera but looked pretty good after using Photo Shop Elements.
It was my first Manatte encounter. We tried to stay clear of them but they kept approaching us and since we did not use any flash we figured why not. Thats a blast to see them. They are very curious animals. It made diving in 40 degree rain worth it.
I have posted a link to my friends web site that has some of his photo's and a trip report. (Matt's site)
Tom

http://tiswango.com/divelog

Tom … I’m glad to hear you had a great time at Blue Springs. Diving in 40 degree rain isn’t the best of diving conditions, but it’s great for seeing Manatee at Blue Springs.

I checked out your link to Matt’s site. It has some excellent pictures and a very nice dive report. 8) You are correct in the fact that the rules are enforced according to which Rangers are working at the particular time you are diving. Also, it’s impossible to maintain the 50’ distance away from the Manatee when they are in close proximity.

Your report of the Manatee bumping into you and playing with you, * like you were a toy *, was a very interesting observation. I have had similar interactions. One time I took a newly certified diver with me to Blue Springs. He just finished his Open Water training at the lake and I wanted him to get experience in a spring. This very friendly large Manatee named Georgia took a liking to him and she kept bumping him into a ledge. She was only playing with him, but it intimidated him so much that he quit diving. On this trip the Rangers were very supportive of us.

On a different trip, with my daughter, we were snorkeling down by the lower exit and a mother Manatee started playing with me and her baby started playing with my daughter. We floated motionless on the surface and the Manatee kept checking us out by bumping us and turning over, trying to get some attention. It was during the Manatee Festival a couple of years ago and the land lovers were taking lots of pictures and we were all having a great time, until a couple of Rangers showed up. They told us to keep away from the Manatee, so we were constantly swimming away from them for the rest of the time we were in the water.

Thanks for posting your pictures and the report! BTW: What kind of camera were you using?

[Angie Reim]

Got a kick in the groin from this one:
http://cavediver.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2405&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=1
Especially if you crop some upper part of it above the head. Did you mean that porno background on purpose?

Oh "Lord have mercy!". I had to look at that a long time to figure it out. Bad boy! :lol: Now I can't look at it any other way. Geez, that's as bad as the time someone had to explain the 'Hooters' sign to me - I was ~35 yrs old at the time. Never been able to look at another 'Hooters' billboard since.......

Nice pictures otherwise. Thanks Chip.