Manatee in Cedar Key

Manatees are not unheard of near Cedar Key, but this one went out of its way to get his head scratched and petted recently.

Erica Freeman, 18, granddaughter of Cedar Key resident Nolen Freeman was visiting from Kentucky before starting college.

She and her parents went out to the back side of North Key, where they spotted an adult manatee.
They move away about 30 yards but the lumbering giant swam over to them and stuck its head up. Erica put her hand out and it let her pet it on the nose.

After about 5 or 6 minutes, it swam off.

Photo by Susan Freeman