Manatee Underwater Photography

Having woken up in an editing mood this morning I revisited our manatee shots from January. I regularly go back to these images because these fab creatures just make you smile. It is an experience I would recommend to anyone, as you do not have to dive, they are friendly, approach your camera lens readily and they are a wonderful subject to shoot, except you will be tempted to spend your time playing with them rather than taking pictures! We got help, advice and boat tours with Birds Underwater, based in Crystal River, Florida. Whether you use an SLR or compact camera - use wide angle to shoot manatees as the get very close and the surrounding environment is worth taking in. Watch out for poor vis and backscatter as both manatees and snorkelers kick up silt or sand depending on your locations. We went to Homosassa Springs, where we had the best encounters, but in very low visibility and Crystal River where the water is much clearer. Try out strobes and natural lighting techniques.

Florida Manatees are an endangered species and so you must follow all the rules and regulations put in place to protect them. The residents of Florida are passionate about conserving these magnificent creatures - which is inspiring to see. The manatees come up the river systems in the cold winters to seek the warmth of the springs and congregate in huge numbers.

If you are interested in underwater photography tours to Crystal River and other locations then please check out our website or our Facebook group