A Trip to See Winter

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is about a fourth of the size of the Florida Aquarium in Tampa. It isn't very pretty either. But then it isn't meant to be just some tourist attraction, all though Winter is causing their attendance to increase. Not only does Winter bring in the tourists and local media to the CMA, she brings in the national media.

Winter is one of many dolphins that have come to Clearwater for medical attention. Unfortunately this young dolphin, will only experience two of the three R's the aquarium tries to live by. She has been Rescued, and she is being Rehabilitated, but she will never be Released. She lost her tail after being caught in a crab trap a few years ago.

It's amazing to watch how well she swims without it. But that what causes the dolphin experts concern. She swims like a shark, and it may cause injury to her spine. She has been fitted for a prosthetic, but they are gradually working on her wearing it. As you can see from the picture, she wasn't wearing it on Saturday, when we visited.

She is the star. "Look! Winter!" I heard one woman say to her husband. I doubt the woman knew the name of the large dolphin in the tank with Winter. (I know I can't) You can buy caps, T-shirts, mugs, and even a stuff toy of winter in the gift shop.

Honeymoon Island, was our next destination for the day. Linda had never been there. Mosquitoes (we've had a very rainy July) and a darkening sky, kept us off the nature trail. I did learn that I should come back in January. The owls are nesting around then.

I did get a picture of a different bird. It's a Juvenile Gray Kingbird.