The Scoop
The conservation status of the Florida manatee remains a controversy as researchers investigate what historical numbers might have been in comparison to current day estimates. All the while, man continues to encroach on manatee native habitat forcing a co-existence between humans and manatees.
As part of his project "Man and Manatee", iLCP photographer Neil Osborne needed to capture aerial images of Gulf Coast areas where manatees cluster in winter months. During the colder weather, manatees seek out warmer water to sustain them. These areas can range from protected tepid waters near natural springs, to shallow waters near power plants where warm discharge water attracts the gentle animals.
A flight donated by LightHawk helped Neil create a current day assessment of this a charismatic species and the challenges it faces living in close proximity to heavily populated areas.
Neil Ever Osborne dispatch from the field:
"Within the congregation, I count more than 20 sedentary animals. Plump bodies of gray mass clustered together, limbs touching perhaps for the sake of warmth. Only gentle gestures among the idle creatures suggest a common interest: conserve energy. At the Three Sister's Springs near Crystal River in Citrus County, Florida, water temperatures remains a consistent 72F (22C). Here the Florida manatee, a subspecies of the West Indian manatee, finds a well know wintering haven in the tepid waters of the natural spring. Fiction will tell us in Homer's Odyssey, Sirens were half-woman, half-bird creatures, later to be confused as mermaids by other authors. As nomenclature stuck in books, science named the Order Sirenia after the tale that suggested manatees where once living mermaids. The 3 extant species of manatee and their close relative, the dugong, now belong in this grouping. At Crystal River in the cold season, the tourists are there by the dozens on any given day. At an arm's reach away, omnipresent humans encounter one of nature's most placid species. Some of the inquisitive animals do not mind. Some of the overzealous tourists get too close. Man and manatee co-exist here and the tale has the promise of success, pending sound conservation decisions and a decrease in the threats that continue to reduce manatee numbers around the state of Florida."
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Aerial Manatees by Neil Ever Osborne
Snorkelers observe Florida manatees congregating in Three Sisters Spring. Trichechus manatus latirostris. King's Bay, Florida, USA. Aerial photography was made possible by LightHawk.
PhotographerAssociate Fellow
Toronto, Canada Neil Ever OsborneRecent BuzzFlight Talk with Volunteer Pilot Bruce McGregor: Manatee TISFlight Talk with Volunteer Pilot Bruce McGregor: Manatee TISMay 9, 2011 // Expose: BlogRelated Projects
Manatees TISManatees TISFeb 8, 2011 -
Manatees near coal power plant by Neil Ever Osborne
Florida manatees congregating near Big Bend Power Station. Situated on Tampa Bay, Big Bend Power Station is located on Big Bend Road on nearly 1,500 acres in southeastern Hillsborough County, close to Apollo Beach. Big Bend Power Station has four coal-fired units with a combined output of more than 1,700 megawatts. Florida manatees congregate near these power stations where water temperatures are warmer. Trichechus manatus latirostrus. Florida, USA. Aerial photography was made possible by LightHawk.
PhotographerAssociate Fellow
Toronto, Canada Neil Ever OsborneRecent BuzzFlight Talk with Volunteer Pilot Bruce McGregor: Manatee TISFlight Talk with Volunteer Pilot Bruce McGregor: Manatee TISMay 9, 2011 // Expose: BlogRelated ProjectsManatees TISManatees TISFeb 8, 2011 -
Manatees in Blue Springs by Neil Ever Osborne
At Blue Springs State Park, endangered Florida manatees gather in droves to keep warm in the tepid waters of the natural spring during the cold months of the year. Researchers are learning about individual animals who frequent the same site year after year to survive the winter. Trichechus manatus latirostris. Florida, USA.
PhotographerAssociate Fellow
Toronto, Canada Neil Ever OsborneRelated ProjectsManatees TISManatees TISFeb 8, 2011 -
Manatees in Crystal River by Neil Ever Osborne
Florida manatees in Three Sisters Spring. Trichechus manatus latirostris. King's Bay, Crystal River, Florida, USA.
PhotographerAssociate Fellow
Toronto, Canada Neil Ever OsborneRecent BuzzFlight Talk with Volunteer Pilot Bruce McGregor: Manatee TISFlight Talk with Volunteer Pilot Bruce McGregor: Manatee TISMay 9, 2011 // Expose: BlogRelated ProjectsManatees TISManatees TISFeb 8, 2011
Flight Talk with Volunteer Pilot Bruce McGregor: Manatee TIS
May 9, 2011
Flight Talk with Volunteer Pilot Bruce McGregor: Manatee TIS
May 9, 2011
Why did you decide to donate a flight for iLCP photographer Neil Ever Osborne to document manatees in Florida's coastal waters?
Beyond my desire to support environmental causes through LightHawk missions, I have a special fondness for manatees. My experience swimming among them (prior to the current interaction restrictions, of course) revealed their gentle and affectionate nature. I recall one youngster who loved having her belly rubbed. As a resident of Florida, I am only too aware of the dangers that manatees face from habitat loss and errant boaters. Hopefully projects like Neil's will educate the public to make room for these wonderful creatures.How was this flight different from your normal flying?
I also volunteer for Angel Flight which provides air transport to distant medical centers for low income patients. Otherwise, my wife Suzanne and I fly around the U.S. and Caribbean for pleasure and exploration.Why do you fly and how did that start for you?
Growing up in the 1940s and 1950s, I was fascinated by the books and movies about early aviation and the aerial events of World War II. At about fifth grade, I started building static model airplanes and progressed to gasoline powered flying versions. After college and the military, I took flying lessons. Forty years and a series of single- and twin-engine airplanes later, I am flying more than ever. You could say that I am living my childhood fantasies!How long have you been flying donated conservation mission for Lighthawk?
Rudy Engholm, LightHawk’s Executive Director, recruited me at a meeting of Columbia aircraft owners in 2007. Missions were few at first as that airplane has a low wing, which is less desirable for the photo and observation missions that are most common in my area. Since I switched to a high wing airplane last April, my LightHawk missions and hours have soared.What’s one of the most amazing things you’ve seen while flying?
On a LightHawk mission out of New Orleans last July, I flew three videographers out to the BP oil well spill. Two monstrous rigs were drilling relief wells while a third captured most of the leaking oil and burned it in two enormous flares with flames shooting 100' into the air. Fireboats sprayed streams of water to cool the lines feeding the flares. At least 60 other boats floated on a sea of iridescent blue-black oil film while supporting the big rigs. As we circled, the airplane periodically flew through the black smoke billowing from the flares with an acrid, sulfurous smell. This was a scene from Hell!Bruce McGregor has been a LightHawk volunteer pilot since 2007. He has flown 13 donated missions including the one for iLCP photographer Neil Ever Osborne. He currently flies a Cessna P210N Silver Eagle.
Florida manatees congregating near Big Bend Power Station. Situated on Tampa Bay, Big Bend Power Station is located on Big Bend Road on nearly 1,500 acres in southeastern Hillsborough County, close to Apollo Beach. Big Bend Power Station has four coal-fired units with a combined output of more than 1,700 megawatts. Florida manatees congregate near these power stations where water temperatures are warmer. Trichechus manatus latirostrus. Florida, USA. Aerial photography was made possible by LightHawk.
Snorkelers observe Florida manatees congregating in Three Sisters Spring. Trichechus manatus latirostris. King's Bay, Florida, USA. Aerial photography was made possible by LightHawk.
Florida manatees in Three Sisters Spring. Trichechus manatus latirostris. King's Bay, Crystal River, Florida, USA.
Associate Fellow
Conservation Organization
Huffington Post: Tripods in the Mud, Manatees
May 19, 2011
Huffington Post: Tripods in the Mud, Manatees
A flight donated by LightHawk helped Neil Ever Osborne create a current day assessment of this charismatic species and the challenges it faces living in close proximity to heavily populated areas. This partnership between iLCP photographers and LightHawk is a Tripods in the Sky expedition.
Associate Fellow
Conservation Organization