A slippery fish

Fish at Maui Aquarium. September 2024.

For several weeks I’ve written, re-written, and re-re-written a difficult piece about my father. Its point still eludes me. I fear several things: I’ve attempted to describe something, but I’m only describing it superficially; I’ve selected an inferior topic to one which begs to be heard; or perhaps what I’m writing about doesn’t rise to worthiness. This has delayed my promise to myself to post one piece of writing about my father every Sunday. It’s been like attempting to grasp a wriggling fish. I shall continue to rant to the air, to myself, to my wife—heck, to the birds on the grass—about this, and hope it gels in my mind and in my words.

Until then I’ll post a few photos, and maybe I’ll write something less weighty, something which elicits a few chuckles or wry reactions. Yes. That would be it.

The power of manatees

TECO power plant exhaust stacks reflect on the manatee-filled waters near Apollo Beach near Tampa. March 2024.

Near Tampa, the Tampa Electric Company (TECO) has what appears to be a waste-to-energy power plant near Apollo Beach. It discharges warm water into a man-made cut connecting to Tampa Bay. During the cooler winter months, manatees crowd into this cut to stay warm. TECO has built and supports a manatee-viewing area of boardwalks and elevated viewing platforms. It’s easy to get to, easy to walk around, and well-developed (not just a platform but hundreds of feet of boardwalk). While there one also can see shorebirds and many kinds of fish.

Manatees with shark. TECO Manatee Viewing Center. March 2024.
Immature White Ibis at TECO Manatee Viewing Center. March 2024.
I thought these were tarpon, but I’m feeling insecure about that. The distortion of the water is making it difficult to tell. These particular fish were about three feet long. There were bigger ones. TECO Manatee Viewing Center. March 2024.
The stars of the area are the manatees, of course. TECO Manatee Viewing Center. March 2024.