March 16, 2021 - Three Sisters Springs,
Crystal Springs, Florida
Today we spent the day at Crystal River on Florida's west coast.  Our first stop was the Three Sisters Springs Wildlife Refuge: the winter home of the Manatee! Actually, you have to park your car at City Hall and catch a trolley into the park.
   

The trolley drops you off right next to the boardwalk which surrounds the six springs.  Three of the springs are named Pretty Sister, Big Sister and Little Sister; hence the name Three Sisters Springs.

Here we are on the boardwalk.
   

The property around Three Sisters was acquired in 2010.

In adherence to the mission of protecting and preserving the manatee and its habitat, the areas around the springs have been designated as manatee sanctuaries and are closed to vessels from November 15 through March 31. However, swimmers are able to enter the spring from the water during this time with possible periodic discretionary closures due to manatee behavior. Visitors can view the manatees in their natural setting from land by use of the observation boardwalk overlooking the spring. Many dive shops and marinas in the city of Crystal River offer manatee tours and cater to the needs of divers and snorkelers.

There's a spring!  This is probably Pretty Sister.
   
Looking outside the Springs area at Chrystal River.  Lynnette and I would be kayaking past here later in the day.
   
Looking into the Springs.
   
This is the Big Sister.
   
There is only one entrance to the springs and it is blocked by concrete posts to stop the boats from entering.  Only kayaks, canoes, and swimmers are permitted in the area and that's only sometimes.
   
Lots of tourists want to get in.
   
The entrance inlet  flows into the big spring area.
   

The aqua blue area to the right is the spring.  In a single day, up to 20 million gallons of water gushes from these springs!

That might be Little Sister at the right.
   
Some snorklers swiming at Big Sister.
   
Where are the manatees?
   

After walking the short boardwalk, we went on a hiking trail around the refuge.

This shot gives you an idea of what this part of Florida looked like pre-Columbus.
   

The big attraction here is, of course, the Manatees.  They can be seen here year-round; however, they stay in the springs in high numbers from mid-November until late March.  There are a number of Manatee Tour outfits around here.

They must have already headed out to Kings Bay because the only ones we saw where the two pictured here, in Chrystal River, not the Springs.  They look like large potatoes floating in the water.
   

Manatees are most likely to seek warmth at Three Sisters Springs when water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico drop below 68 degrees.

Close-up.  I don't think I've ever seen a Manatee before.
   
Chrystal River which surrounds the Three Sisters Wildlife Refuge.
   
Checking out the center of the Wildlife Refuge.
   
Lots of critters living in there probably.
   
A waterfront community surrounds the wildlife refuge.  The area around Three Sisters Spring used to be a natural wetland forest. Then, in the 1960s and 70s, the wetland area was developed; i.e., destroyed.  In fact, even the wildlife refuge land was once privately owned.  At one time there was a plan to develop the land surrounding the springs and build condominiums while bottling the spring water for commercial purposes.  However, the 57-acre parcel of land was purchased in 2010 with funds from the Florida Community Trust, the City of Chrystal River, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southwest Florida Water Management District, and others.  The City and SWFWMD jointly own the land, and it is managed by USFWS under the Chrystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
   
After Three Sisters, Lynnette and I rented a two-seater Kayak at a nearby rental place and were soon on the water.
   
 
   
Other Kayaks!
   
Having fun on the water.
   
 
   
We passed by an entire community, each with its own waterway, like roads.
   
Passing by the water entrance to Three Sisters Springs.  You can see the boardwalk at center.
   
 
   
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