New Manatee Viewing Center Observation Tower

At the intersection of nature and the need for power there is often a mess.
Not here, be a bystander for a moment and watch what happens.
Tampa Electric has created a very interesting thing at Apollo Beach,
The Manatee Viewing Center.

If you are local to the Tampa Bay area, or just visiting, it is a must see.
Every winter the Manatees search for warm water to survive.
Everywhere in the Southeast they flock to warm springs and power plants.

This is one of the few places where you can see this close up.
And its FREE!

I shot a time-lapse video of the center back in 2011 with blog post.

This year Teco added a nature trail and observation tower south of the power plant
and viewing center.  You cannot see manatees from the new tower but you can see
Tampa Bay and the coastal habitat in the area.
In flat Florida a good high view is a rarity making the tower an interesting
thing on its own, a bonus!

Last week I took my lovely wife out for the hike and climb.
We saw an eagle ray and a small shark from the tower.
I shot a new time-lapse of our outing.
Here are some photos and the time-lapse.
Enjoy!