Feb 28 2012 Dolphin Research Center

The dolphin research center was where Flipper was filmed. Many of the dolphins are descendants of Flipper, who was a female dolphin named Mitze. She is buried here at the Center.

The Dolphin Research Center, if you pay an extra $25 you can pet the dolphins

three dolphins playing, a dolphin waving to the crowd

Trainer with the dolphin. They research them there, so they have to teach them to be ok with being examined. The first photo he is looking under the tongue and in the mouth and the second one is how they draw blood from the tail veins. this is a young dolphin they are still familiarizing with the positions.

For an extra $180 you can swim with the dolphins.

Training the dolphin to tail walk, he has a way to go. The Manatee Rescue Team

Mitzi’s (Flippers) grave, and an iguana hanging around

After that we went snorkeling, with our K mart cheap snorkels. It was too windy and wavey where we wanted to go, the water was too turbid to see anything, so we went just off the shore.  It was about 2-3 feet deep. We got to look at sea grass, and a fish. It was fun, and it was hot-83 degrees-  so the water felt good.

The shore where we snorkeled, and some wild flowers

We went back to the RV park and snorkeled there. It was deeper.  This is the beach and Tiki bar. We went out to dinner at the Sunset Grill, next to the park. This is sunset from Sunset Grill!

John in the center at the Sunset Grill, and he had of all things-grilled dolphin.  He claimed that it was not the dolphin mammals we say, but some kind of Mahi Mahi fish that is called dolphin.

Sunset over the 7 mile bridge, from the Sunset grill pier.