By Cora Berchem, Director of Multimedia and Manatee Research Associate
Our above-water webcam got this cute video of adoptee Annie on her visit to Blue Spring State Park on November 24.While Nick didn’t make it in to Blue Spring State Park for roll call on November 29, we were able to photograph him during his visit.Brutus was first sighted at the park on December 1, and we took this photo of him snoozing the next day.We photographed Flash at the park several times this season! Here he is on December 6, 2023.Flash and Gator spent some time together on December 6. Gator spent part of the winter at another spring, so we didn’t see him at the park between December 22 and January 30.
A beautiful video of Phyllis traveling in the protected warm-water sanctuary of Blue Spring on December 8.
Adoptee Phyllis also swam by the underwater camera on December 8!It was a busy day at the park on December 8, 2023, but we were able to get a photo of Paddy Doyle.Aqua made her first visit of the 2023–2024 season on December 15, and we took this photo of her during her visit.
Adoptee Lenny follows manatee Ann and her calf on December 15.
Adoptee Aqua leaves the Blue Spring sanctuary for the St Johns River on a rainy afternoon on December 16. Adoptee Brutus can be seen in the foreground.Among the manatees at the park on December 16, 2023, we spotted Howie!There was wind and murky water on December 18, 2023, but we still managed to spot Whiskers among the manatees there.
We caught sight of Deep Dent on the above-water camera, swimming towards the St. Johns River on December 20.
Margarito has only made a few visits this season. Here he is on December 20.We got this sweet photo of Phyllis on December 20, 2023. Merlin didn’t stop by the park for the 2023–2024 season until December 12, 2023, however we got this nice photo of him during his visit on December 21.
A large aggregation of manatees was seen at Blue Spring on the morning of December 22. Adoptee Merlin is featured in this aggregation.
On December 22, adoptee Lenny was seen traveling past the above-water webcam.This picture of Doc at the park was taken on December 22, 2023.Floyd and Annie were the only adoptees sighted on December 27. We took this photo of Floyd during his visit.
December 30 was a cold day and lots of manatees were seeking refuge at Blue Spring. Adoptee Howie is in the center of this large and steamy aggregation.
Adoptee Floyd follows manatee Della and her calf to the St Johns River on January 3.
Adoptee Merlin travels to the St Johns River, also on January 3.Despite his name, Flash hasn’t been camera-shy this winter! We took this photo of him at Blue Spring State Park on January 8.Lenny was in attendance at Blue Spring on January 16, 2024.
Can’t wait for April for the next sighting round-up? Make sure to visit our webcam blog to see daily updates!
We had a prolonged cold front in early February that brought in a record count, but Manatee Season at Blue Spring State Park officially ended on March 27.
Volunteer Spotlight: Hailey Boisvert
April 3, 2026
Hailey is a dedicated environmental educator and one of our newest Virtual Volunteer presenters! Read more about Hailey’s volunteer story.
Manatee Sightings Update: February 2026
February 1, 2026
After multiple cold fronts throughout the winter, we had seen most of the adoptees by the start of the new year. Here are some new photos and videos!
