By Terri Bryce Reeves, Times Correspondent
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Spring Bayou is a natural attraction for manatees which, according to the event organizer, “may not be as exciting as dolphins, but they are adorable.”
TARPON SPRINGS
Strange as it may seem, legend has it that in ancient times, sailors would mistake manatees for mermaids.
Perhaps the old salts had just been out to sea too long, or maybe they were viewing the wide, flat, paddle tails from a distance. It's safe to say that upon closer inspection, the "mermaids" weren't quite the eye candy the guys may have wished for.
The marine mammals can weigh 1,000 pounds or more, are bald and gray, and sprout bristly whiskers. They make a lot of noise when they eat, too.
But they are sweet and gentle, as you may see for yourself on Saturday when Tarpon Springs presents the ...