Hello, I just stumbled upon this site and it looks very interesting. I am from Florida, the nature coast, which is north of Tampa. This area has a lot of protected wildlife refuges so the coasts are not built up like further south and the Atlantic side. The manatees are very popular here. Manatees are also known as sea cow's they are endangered. They flock from the Gulf of Mexico to the warm spring fed waters of Crystal River in the winter. You can actually swim with the Manatees at the Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River FL. Here is a video I shot at the springs from the boardwalk of some manatees entering the springs.
Right now it is scallop season. So this time of year lots of people come here to snorkel and catch bay scallops in the grassy shallows.
Of course all year round you need to watch out for the Alligators though.
Well Happy to be here and look forward to being part of the community!