"Following where my camera leads me!"

"Following where my camera leads me!"

Friday, April 17, 2015

We went to see the Mermaids!

A couple of weeks ago, we took our little mermaid crazy granddaughter to see the mermaids to celebrate her third birthday!
Yes, the world famous "Weeki Wachee"mermaids swam into the Charleston Aquarium and of course we were there to greet them!

It was amazing, because I have wanted to go see the mermaids since I was a little girl, and now it was even more special to get to do this with our daughter (who is ALSO mermaid crazy!) and her little girl.

Click below to see some of the original mermaids:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUmsE9iQ4YI

Amazingly, quite a few of them went back into the cold Florida spring to do several "reunion" performances. It just came back to them, like riding a bicycle! Towards the end of the video, you can see them.












(below, waiting for the mysterious mermaids in the Great Ocean Tank)

"We've got the world by the tail!!"
The mermaids put on amazing underwater shows set to music, they swim right amongst thousands of beautiful fish, and yes, sharks! We saw quite a few sharks. 
In their home spring in Florida, not far from Tampa, they often encounter the gentle manatees who sometimes join their shows, and once in awhile, even an alligator.

Please forgive some of my blurry photographs....shooting at moving targets plus through water made it difficult.

The mermaids have been performing in their native Weeki Wache Springs in Florida for over fifty years now! They have perfected breathing through underwater air hoses so that they swim totally without any scuba gear or even masks.




to see the current mermaids, click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZymMONi1XA

(below, this is what little children do when they spot MERMAIDS IN THE WATER!!) They flock to the window....and put their little hands up on it, reaching for the mermaids.   They were mesmerized.
Amazingly, all the mermaids open and shut their mouths while underwater.....they sing along to all the songs, and they smile and playfully blow bubbles,  and they look right at you.

"We're not like other women!...."   the weeki wachee mermaid song









"Sisters of the Ocean"



The mermaids practicing for their Charleston performance, click here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hedh1LFBSL4












(below, taken from the balcony. Here you can see how big the tank is)



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7 comments:

  1. Awesome trip and photos.

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  2. OH, how wonderful this must have been. For your little granddaughter and you too. You know, when I was a little girl we went to Florida, I think, and went through Weeki Wachee! Thanks for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  3. Amazing! There used to be an underwater show in San Marcos...not far from Austin. I don't know if they still perform or not. You live in a city I would LOVE to visit! I can only imagine the beauty and the delight for you.

    Thanks again for stopping by ~ I'm now following you!
    xo
    Pat

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  4. How fun to see the mermaids with your granddaughter! I remember so well seeing them put on Snow White when I was only about 5, at Weeki Watche. I was mesmerized, and at the time thought they actually could breathe under water! I never noticed their breathing tubes:)

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  5. I have great memories of seeing the mermaids in Weeki Watche Springs. I was an adult but it was many years ago. It was fun seeing the former mermaids. Your photos are really good considering they were under water. A great share.

    I did have a great shopping trip and bought some summer clothes. Fun time with my sisters.

    Happy weekend.
    Hugs, Jeanne

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  6. How fun! I think I would enjoy this and I know my granddaughter would.

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