Judy's Photoblog
Feed me, please...
Posted by Judy (Brooksville, Florida, United States) on 28 March 2009 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.
Waiting for her raw sweet potato slices, she nuzzled right up to the park volunteer for some lunch. This is zoomed way in, sacrificing some quality, but it's the closest shot of an open mouth that I have ever seen.
(You can see a little piece of sweet potato inside.) They have no incisors, only molars for chewing their food.
Yesterday's text offers information on the Manatees.
Thank you so much for visiting my blog; your comments are greatly appreciated. I apologize for not getting to all of your posts. I will visit as time permits.
---~--- Philippians 4:13 'We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.' ... <*}}}><
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Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand
Yup I think the quality was worth risking....this is truely amazing!!! The last few days shots have been wonderful!!!
28 Mar 2009 6:26am
@Linerberry: Thank you very much!
Betty from New Jersey, United States
A really amazing shot, Judy, and worth sacrificing some quality! Such beautiful, gentle animals!
28 Mar 2009 11:45am
@Betty: Thanks ... I appreciate your comment.
JJ from Jersey City, United States
I think it was worth sacrificing a bit of quality to get this close in shot, I didnt know they liked sweet potatoes
28 Mar 2009 12:00pm
@JJ: Thanks, JJ ... before I did the close crop, you couldn't tell what was going on in her mouth.
Yes, they like sweet potatoes, carrots and lettuce!
john4jack from Corvallis, Oregon, United States
Terrific capture! Excellent detail!
28 Mar 2009 1:10pm
Barbara from Florida, United States
This actually makes me emotional to see such a large creature nestled up to a human and trusting.
Knowing how it is possible for man to interact with animals, it also makes me reflect on just how brutal man can be against creatures.
In this environment at the park I know they are dependent on man, I guess what I am trying to say is this is absolutely an amazing shot.
I have never seen their mouth open. This images gives a unique view. Well done, Judy.
28 Mar 2009 1:32pm
@Barbara: Thanks, Barb. VF mentioned that PETA doesn't like animals to be "contained", however look at the blessings to have six, who are cared for, medically treated if necessary, and there to educate people.
I have a short video of two manatees raising their snouts at this volunteer, literally splashing water at him as they waited for more food. The man's wife is also a volunteer and as a pair, they stood around answering questions as long as people were there to ask; then she helped him out of his wetsuit. :D
Susan from Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
yikes, the only thing that makes it less scary, is no big teeth!! cool shot!!
28 Mar 2009 2:15pm
@Susan: Ohhhhhhh, I'd LOVE to swim with them ... not a bit of fear!!!
Chris from South Jersey, United States
how, what a face!!! great capture of these creatures....
28 Mar 2009 2:21pm
Viewfinder from Bradenton, FL, United States
This is great; I know PETA doesn't approve of treating these wonderful creatures like pets, but sometimes you just have to love on them. What a great close up of her happy meal.
28 Mar 2009 3:05pm
@Viewfinder: PETA may not approve, but at the same time, the education of humans is worth having a few as teaching tools, so long as they are not suffering for it, I feel. And even this photo was education for me as well as our 'viewers'. :D
tyan from Singapore, Singapore
wow.I have never seen this side of a manatee!The mouth alone looks so exquisite,and they seem like really gentle and friendly animals!!:)
ps:the 3rd language is Tamil,and the 4th Malay.The 4 languages show the 4 main racial groups that stay in Singapore.But increasingly,i think there are more and more nationalities that are staying here who may not speak any of those 4 languages:)
28 Mar 2009 3:46pm
@tyan: I had never seen this either, Tyan, until this visit with Kayla. It was remarkable to see the interaction between man and mammal. They are VERY gentle.
PS: Thanks for the information on the additional languages; I appreciate it.
Bookfool from Mississippi, United States
Not the pretties animal on the block, eh? Thanks for informing me that the numbers are going back up. I'm thrilled to hear that!
28 Mar 2009 6:09pm
@Bookfool: You're right ... not the prettiest, but so gentle and would I LOVE to swim with them!
Scott Schilling from San Martin, United States
Judy, amazing photograph and amazing animal - if they are feeding them sweet potatoes I think I may climb in there and join them!
29 Mar 2009 4:28am
@Scott Schilling: Remember though, their sweet potatoes are RAW ... but maybe for a photographer of your caliber, RAW is fine! :D
Sony DSLR-A100
1/160 second
F/5.6
ISO 800
80 mm