Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Swimming with the Manatees


I think this is the coolest thing I did on vacation. Swimming in the river and having these huge, shy mammals gliding up to you to get a scratch. They are so graceful in the water despite their size. There were many of them in the river and spring that day. The ropes in the sketch are the anchor ropes for the boat...one manatee kept going over there and playing with them.

I'm also calling this a self portrait for Everyday Matters challenge. I'll do another though...cause it's kind of a cheater...having that mask covering most of my face!

17 comments:

quiltcontemplation blogspot said...

This is the coolest self portrait! And it shows us your inner you as well as a peek of your outer you. Exellent!

Sue Seibert said...

Wow, what a wonderful sketch. Must have been a great vacation.

Rachel Murphree said...

I LOVE this sketch, and what a great experience!! I'm going to have to try that with my kids on our next trip to FL to visit relatives... is there an age that you have to be before you can do it?

Making A Mark said...

This has got to go down as one of the more unusual entries I've ever seen in an illustrated blog! Neat trick with self-portrait as well!

Marilyn said...

Great manatee sketches. But you do want to do your self portrait so we can really see you. Hehe.

Teri said...

Wow, what a wonderful experience and you have enhanced it so much with your sketch! Just great!

Linda said...

Okay -- if there was a prize for "self portrait in most unusual setting" you would win! This is just wonderful! I remember as a kid, when we would go down to the Everglades, I always loved getting out and hanging over the bridge rails to see the "sea cows." They have always been great favorites of mine! :-)

pedalpower said...

Thanks! It really was a neat experience....and doing this drawing captures it for me. This was the last page in my first moleskine sketchbook too!

Lindsay said...

I love this drawing!! And I can't believe you made friends with these beautiful animals!! A week or so ago, Karen posted another human animal encounter on her blog involving a whale. I love these stories. So glad you had a great time!!Now for some rest!

Desiree's Designs said...

Wow, what a wonderful drawing! I would love to see them in person. The freshwater mermaids that they truely are.

Janet said...

Great sketch!

Clare said...

Stunning sketch Joyce & your blog keeps inspiring me to pick up my pencil and DRAW, Thanks for sharing.

fin said...

I love manatees. They swim up to the power plants because the water is warm.

Anonymous said...

Joyce, I've been meaning to tell you how much I love this. It is so very well done, so professional, if you know what I mean (not sure I do!) What a great self-portrait, too.

Jim Bumgarner said...

Very well done, Joyce! I don't know if you remember the old Jacque Cousteau specials of about 780 years ago, or not; but the Manatees always bring back to my memory a special he did on them. It seems their lacksadaisical and gentle ways were, or are, a problem in that they don't fear people, or their boats. Boat propellers were slicing the Manatees' backs and many were in very poor health with the infections produced. I've wondered how they've been faring over all these years since Cousteau's report implied they were severely endangered, or soon would be.

Very well done, I like it alot!!

Zee said...

Manatees! I love your drawing very much. :)

Kathleen Pequignot said...

This is one of my favorite drawings so far. I love how you used the pen... fantastic!