The Wandering Disciple

The Simpson sitcom is the longest running American sitcom, entertaining viewers since 1989. In 2008, the show entered a new era with a ride attraction at Universal Studios in Florida. The Simpsons Ride takes riders on a six minute adventure as the Bart and the rest of the Simpson family try to avoid the revenge seeking Sideshow Bob. (Photo: January 9, 2010)

Tropical Storm Isaac continues to provide rough seas along Florida's Suncoast. Isaac passed well off-shore of the Suncoast but it has turned the Gulf of Mexico to a rough ocean of waves resulting. The rough surf has resulted in beach erosion as well as consecutive days of swimming bans. Isaac eventually made landfall in Louisiana as a category one hurricane. (Photo: August 28, 2012)

A WC-130J Hercules “Hurricane Hunter” sits on static display at the 2012 Florida International Airshow. A fleet of ten Hurricane Hunter planes help support the National Hurricane Center in gathering information to help forecast tropical systems. The USAF Hurricane Hunters are operated by the US Air Force Reserve’s 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron based at Kessler Air Force Base in Mississippi. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

Tropical Storm Isaac brushed the coast of west Florida today, bringing high surf and intermittent squally weather. Initially projected to strike the west coast of Florida, the storm stayed west of the state and spared the Suncoast from any real intense tropical effects. The storm continues to head north in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to hit the northern Gulf Coast near Louisiana later this week. (Photo: August 27, 2012)

The moon illuminates the sky over Charlotte Sports Park.

A mangrove buckeye butterfly blends into the brush along a hiking trail at JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.  The 5,200 acre refuge is one of the largest in the country and is home to many species of migratory birds.  (Photo: November 28, 2009)

The sea grass blows in the wind on a windy fall day at Honeymoon Island State Park.  Originally named Hog Island, it was split from neighboring Caladesi Island by a hurricane in 1921.  In the late 1930's, a New York developer marketed the island as a newlywed destination called Honeymoon Island.  Today it is a 200 plus acre state park.  (Photo: November 11, 2009)

A tabby foundation and steel machinery is all that remains of a once thriving sugar plantation once owned by David Levy Yulee, a member of the US Senate and eventually of the Confederate Congress. The plantation encompasses over 5,000 acres and was used to produce sugar, syrup and molasses. During the Civil War, the plantation was destroyed and the ruins are now a state historic site operated by the Florida Parks System. (Photo: November 11, 2011)

A presidential white-top sits on the tarmac at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport awaiting a presidential visit. Operated by the US Marine Corps HMX-1 squadron, the VH-60N "WhiteHawk" is used to safely transport the president. Once the president is aboard, the helicopter becomes Marine One. Marine One and HMX-1 have been the primary helicopter transport for the president since 1957. (Photo: October 24, 2009)

A fox lies by the fence at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. Operated by the Florida Parks System, the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park combines wild animals and hiking trails to make a one of a kind attraction. (Photo: November 11, 2009)

The calm waters of the South Creek meander through the dense canopy of trees at Oscar Scherer State Park. Visitor’s to the park can canoe, kayak or fish along the banks of the creek or take a hike on one of the many park trails. (Photo: November 8, 2009)

A collection of railroad cars and locomotives sit idle at the Willow Train Yard. The rail equipment sit weathered in the lot as a reminder of a time when rail transportation was the backbone of America. The Willow Train Yard is part of the Florida Railroad Museum and can be viewed as part of a 13-mile round-trip rail excursion on the museum’s rolling train collection. (Photo: October 18, 2009)

A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane is lining up for approach to MacDill Air Force Base. The C-17 is a large airlift aircraft used to transport troops, goods and more into bases and forward operating bases worldwide. The aircraft is capable of transporting up to 134 troops or 170,000 pounds of cargo. (Photo: October 18, 2009)

The Lory Bird Feeding attraction is a great place to come face to face with the colorful Lorikeet in a free flight aviary. Native to Southeast Asia and Australia, the lorikeet is a member of the parrot family and feed on fruits and nectar. There are many species of lorikeet, pictured here is a Rainbow Lorikeet. To read more about Lion Country Safari and see more pictures from the park, click here . (Photo: September 7, 2009)

A symbol of our great nation, the bald eagle, sits on a perch at Lowry Park Zoo. The bald eagle can be found on the Florida Boardwalk portion of the zoo. Lowry Park Zoo is a home to a variety of animals and several rides. (Photo: August 30, 2009)

The Civil Way era antebellum mansion of the Gamble Plantation is the only surviving plantation house in South Florida. The mansion was home to Robert Gamble and was once home to a large sugar plantation. But the mansion holds an ever bigger place in history as it was a hide-out for Confederate Secretary of State Judah Benjamin while he tried to flee the country to avoid being held for treason against the United States. Today the mansion and 16 acres of the plantation are maintained as a historic park by the Florida Park System. (Photo: August 7, 2009)

The rustic Damkohler Cottage sits in in thick Florida brush as a testament to settlement that has been lost forever. The building of the Koreshan State Park are frozen in time, a constant reminder of the Koreshan settlement that once thrived at this location in Southwest Florida. (Photo: July 29, 2009)

An American Alligator lurks in the murky waters of the alligator exhibit on the Florida Boardwalk at Lowry Park Zoo. The zoo’s Florida Boardwalk includes a collection of animals native to the sunshine state. Along the trail you can see alligators, black bears, red wolves, bald eagles, manatees, the endangered Florida Panther and more. (Photo: June 28, 2009)

One of the thousands of flowers in bloom at the estate of circus icon John Ringling. The John and Mable Ringling Museum in Sarasota encompasses over 60 acres and has more the 40,000 plants. Stroll the Rose Garden, Mable’s Secret Garden, the Dwarf Garden and the Millennium Tree Trail. In addition to the grounds, you can also tour the Ringling Art Museum, the circus museums, the Ca’ d’ Zan or the Asolo Theater. (Photo: June 14, 2009)

The SIAI Marchetti SF-260 was a light sport plane that was used by many smaller military’s as a close support and a military trainer. Countries like Belgium, Italy, Libya, Mexico, Turkey and Venezuela continue to use the SF-260 in their active fleet. Civilian models like the one pictured here are used as stunt planes due to their maneuverability. (Photo: August 6, 2012)

A giant tortoise slowly makes his way across the tortoise habitat at Busch Gardens Tampa. The giant tortoise can be found in the Nairobi section of the park and is one of over 200 animals that can be seen during a visit to the park. Busch Gardens Tampa mixes world-class thrills with animal habitats for a trip the whole family can enjoy. (Photo: March 31, 2009)

The raised boardwalk at Ponce De Leon Park takes hikers on a 1/4 mile journey through the saltwater mangrove ecosystem. The 10-acre park on Charlotte Harbor features a hiking trail, wildlife center, two fishing piers, boat ramp, playground and a beach. (Photo: March 22, 2009)

Typewriter Eraser, Scale X is a work of art created by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen in 1999. It is one of seventeen sculptures located at the National Sculpture Garden adjacent to the National Gallery of Art. (Photo: February 16, 2009)

In a re-creation of the Appomattox Courthouse surrender that ended the Civil War, a wax likeness of Robert E Lee sits a the table waiting to sign the surrender treaty while Ulysses S Grant overlooks. These are just two of the prominent figures that help tell the story of US history at Madame Tussauds Washington DC. Here you can see real life replicas of presidents, civil rights leaders, political leaders, entertainers, athletes and more. (Photo: February 15, 2009)

Colorful stained glass, each telling a story, brighten the Washington National Cathedral.  The massive cathedral took over eighty years to be completed and features 231 beautiful stained glass windows.  (Photo:   February 15, 2009)

The small neighborhood post office of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania has been recreated as part of the reaching Rural America exhibit at the National Postal Museum in Washington, DC. The Dillsburg Post Office was in operation from 1913-1971 and was constructed from modular panels which allowed the postmaster to configure the post office based on the available space. (Photo: February 15, 2009)