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Showing posts from March, 2013

Photo of the Day: Twin Tiger Aerobatic Team

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The Twin Tigers fly just inches apart as they zip pass the flight line at the Florida International Air Show. The Twin Tiger Aerobatic Team perform their fast paced routine which features the pilots maneuvering through smoke rings and performing the breathtaking Tiger Tumble. (Photo: March 24, 2013)

Photo of the Day: Tuskegee Airmen T-6 Texan

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A T-6 Texan peforms in tribute to the brave aviators from the Tuskegee Institute.  The T-6 operated by the Tuskegee Airmen National Museum function as a flight trainer for the all-black aviation unit from Alabama.  (Photo: March 24, 2013)

Photo of the Day: SB2C Helldiver

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A SB2C Helldiver flies through the smoke of a simulated bombing attack during the 2013 Florida International Air Show. This Helldiver operated by the West Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force is the only flying Helldiver in the world. It saw action with the US Navy from 1945 through 1948. (Photo: March 24, 2013)

Photo of the Day: Quick Silver

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Scott "Scooter" Yoak pilots the P-51 Mustang "Quick Silver" through the skies at the 2013 Florida International Air Show. Quick Silver pays tribute to the Armed Forces through it's symbolic paint scheme. (Photo: March 24, 2013)

Photo of the Day: Jane Wicker - Wing Walker

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Aerial acrobat Jane Walker hangs off the wing of her Stearman 75 "Aurora" during the 2013 Florida International Air Show.  Jane is one of only a handful of wing walkers in the world and her act leaves spectators on the edge of their seat during the entire performance.  (Photo: March 24, 2013)

Photo of the Day: Elgin Wells and Starjammer

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Elgin Wells performs in his custom built Starjammer during the 2013 Florida International Air Show. The Starjammer is equipped with 250 multi-color LED lights and a 4,000 watt speaker system making for a one of a kind aerial performance. (Photo: March 24, 2013)

Photo of the Day: OV-1 Mohawk

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Dr. Joseph Masessa performs in his OV-1 Mohawk during the 2013 Florida International Air Show. The OV-1 Mohawk was developed by Grumman and saw action during the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. Originally designed to be used by the US Army as a light attack aircraft, the Mohawk was later developed into a spy plane. Dr. Masessa's flies his Mohawk in the only aerobatic routine in the world. (Photo: March 24, 2013)

Photo of the Day: AV-8B Harrier II

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An AV-8B Harrier II from the US Marine Corps sits on static display at the 2013 Florida International Airshow. The Harrier is a ground attack aircraft produced by McDonnell Douglas and is well known for its ability to hover. This Harrier is from the Marine Attack Squadron based at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina. (Photo: March 24, 2013)

Lemon Bay Rotary at Hamsher Realty

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Englewood, Florida: The Englewood Area Youth Baseball rookie division was back out on the field under the Florida sunshine on Saturday afternoon.  Click on the photo for photos from Saturday's game as the Lemon Bay Rotary faced Hamsher Realty.

Photo of the Day: Shorebirds

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Humans aren't the only thing that come to Florida for its great beaches.  A cluster of shorebirds can be found frolicking in the surf on just about any beach in the state.  (Photo: March 10, 2013)

Charlotte Stone Crabs at Frederick Keys

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Sarasota, Florida: Minor league spring training is in full swing as teams are wrapping up the second week of exhibition games. Friday's game featured the Charlotte Stone Crabs (Tampa Bay Rays) traveling to Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota to face the Frederick Keys (Baltimore Orioles). The Stone Crabs were met with stiff competition on the mound as the Orioles major league pitcher Jason Hammel was on the mound today for the Keys. Minor league spring training games are an exhibition format in which the focus is on development and not winning or losing. No scores or stats are recorded and some innings may go longer then three outs at the manager's discretion. These games occur on the practice fields at the complex in front of coaches, scouts and limited fans. Click on the photo above to view photos the Stone Crabs/Keys photo gallery .

Photo of the Day: Red Shouldered Hawk

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A red shouldered hawk takes a break from hunting on a fence in eastern Sarasota County.  (Photo: March 11, 2013)

Photo of the Day: US Air "Allegheny Heritage" Special Livery

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A US Airways Airbus A319 displaying the classic colors of Allegheny Airlines departs Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.  The Allegheny Heritage plane is one of several heritage planes operated by US Airways to highlight the history of their organization.  Allegheny Airlines began operations in 1957 and eventually became US Airways in 1979.  (Photo: March 5, 2013)

Photo of the Day: Blue Angels

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Blue Angels number 3 taxis to the runway prior to their performance at the 2012 Florida International Air Show. There are just three days remaining until the 2013 FIAS and while the Blue Angels will not be performing at this year’s show, the FIAS has a great lineup of civilian aviation performances. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

Photo of the Day: Wicked Willy

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The Wicked Willy dragster performs a daring drag race against a sport plane during the 2012 Florida International Airshow. This year’s FIAS takes place this weekend at the Punta Gorda Airport. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

Photo of the Day: F4U Corsair

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The F4U Corsair performs at the Florida International Airshow in 2012. This year's FIAS is less then a week away. The annual event will take place on March 23 & 24 at the Punta Gorda Airport. While no military jet demonstrations are scheduled due to the federal budget sequestration, the show will feature plenty of great civilian aviation acts. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

Photo of the Day: Red Bellied Woodpecker

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A red-bellied woodpecker climbs a Sabal Palm tree.  The red-bellied woodpecker is a popular backyard bird throughout Southwest Florida.  (Photo: February 27, 2013)

Photo of the Day: Comedy Matadors

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The Comedy Matadors entertain the audience at Cirque Italia. The trio and their dogs make the crowd erupt in laughter throughout the entire act. Cirque Italia has one more day left in Venice before the show heads to Ocala for the beginning of April. (Photo: March 10, 2013)

Photo of the Day: Brown Pelican

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A brown pelican soars overhead at Manasota Beach in Englewood.  The pelican is a regular visitor to the shorelines and can be seen diving for food.  (Photo: March 10, 2013)

Charlotte Stone Crabs at Frederick Keys

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Sarasota, Florida: The Charlotte Stone Crabs continued their spring exhibition schedule with a road trip to Sarasota to face the Frederick Keys. This is a rematch between these two teams who opposed each other the day before in Port Charlotte. Minor league spring takes week just a few weeks before the start of the minor league schedule. No official stats or scores are recorded as the emphasis is on player development. This early in the spring, players are scattered throughout the organization and the roster in no way reflect the opening day rosters. Click on the photo to view my Stone Crabs/Keys photo gallery .

Photo of the Day: Mike Montgomery

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Minor league prospect Mike Montgomery makes his minor league debut with the Rays on opening day of spring training exhibition games.  Montgomery was acquired by the Rays as part of the James Shields trade with the Kansas City Royals.  (Photo: March 13, 2013)

Photo of the Day: Nick Weglarz

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Rays minor league infielder Nick Weglarz catches a pop fly in foul territory to record an out on opening day of minor league spring training. For the next three weeks, minor league players will play a schedule of exhibition games to prepare for the regular season. (Photo: March 13, 2013

Montgomery Biscuits at Bowie Bay Sox

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Sarasota, Florida: The Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays traveled to Twin Lake Park in Sarasota to play the Baltimore Orioles Double-A affiliate to open the 2013 minor league exhibition schedule. The Bowie Bay Sox hosted the Montgomery Biscuits in the first game of the three week schedule. Click on the photo above to view my Biscuits/Bay Sox photo gallery .

Durham Bulls at Norfolk Tides

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Sarasota, Florida: The Durham Bulls opened up their spring training schedule with a road game against the Norfolk Tides. This is the first of a three week exhibition schedule for the minor leaguers to prepare for the 2013 season. The Tides featured major league pitcher Wei-Yin Chen on the mound getting his work in against the minor leaguers. Unlike major league spring training, minor league spring training is a more relaxed atmosphere where the emphasis is placed on player development and not wins. There are no official stats recorded in these games and very little media coverage.  Click on the photo above to view my Bulls/Tides photo gallery .

Photo of the Day: Nicolette Fornasari

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Performer Nicolette Fornasari greets the crowd following her amazing aerial performance at Cirque Italia.  where she flies high above the crowd on the cloudswing.  Come join Nicolette and the rest of the Cirque Italia performers Venice as they enter their final week in town.  (Photo: March 10, 2013)

Photo of the Day: Duo AA

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The Duo AA perform at Cirque Italia during a stop in Venice. The duo of Adam Vazquez and Anton Makuhin demonstrate their strength to the crowd in the show’s finale. Cirque Italia continues in Venice until March 17. (Photo: March 10, 2013)

Photo of the Day: Cirque Italia

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A performer dazzles the crowd at Cirque Italia.  The aquatic extravaganza has been entertaining Venice since the beginning of March.  The shows continues through March 17. (Photo: March 10, 2013)

Photo of the Day: Black-crowned Night Heron

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A Black-crowned Night Heron makes a visit to the backyard.  Primarily a nocturnal bird, the Black-crowned Night Heron can be found along bodies of water stalking for prey.  (Photo: March 3, 2013)

Photo of the Day: St Maarteen

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Welcome to St Maarten.  The colorful welcome sign greets guests at the port as they arrive on their Caribbean cruises.  The small island in the British Virgin Islands is half French and half Dutch, making it the smallest island to be shared by two nations.  (Photo: October 25, 2006)

Photo of the Day: Drake’s Seat

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The colorful waters of St Thomas and surrounding islands is visible for Drake’s Seat high atop the St Thomas mountainside. It is believed that privateer Sir Francis Drake used this point to spy on passing vessels through the strait. (Photo: October 24, 2006)

Photo of the Day: Great Horned Owl Nest

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A fledgling Great Horned Owl peeks out of the nest at Stump Pass State Park. The nest located near the end of the nature trail is home to two fledgling owls and their parents. You can see more photos of the nest in my Stump Pass State Park photo gallery by clicking her e. (Photo: March 5, 2013)

Photo of the Day: Puerto Rico Capital

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The capital of Puerto Rico is nestled between the colorful buildings of Old San Juan. Originally settled by the Spanish in 1493, Puerto Rico became a United States territory in 1898 after the Treaty of Paris. (Photo: October 23, 2006)

Photo of the Day: Navigator of the Seas

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The popular sports court of the Navigator of the Seas is packed with passengers enjoying a game of dodge ball while at sea. The full size basketball court is a popular amenity on the cruise ship, hosting events throughout the cruise. (Photo: October 22, 2006)

Photo of the Day: Carnival Victory

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The Carnival Victory prepares for a new Caribbean cruise vacation at the Port of Miami. The Victory is a member of the Triumph class of ships and can accommodate 2,758 passengers. The ship is currently sails to the Bahamas out of Miami. (Photo: October 21, 2005)

Lemon Bay Rotary at Englewood Glass & Mirror

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Click on the photo above to see photos from rookie league action from the Lemon Bay Rotary as they oppose Englewood Glass & Mirror on opening day.

Photo of the Day: Daisy Duck

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Daisy Duck greets visitor’s to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Daisy is just one of the Disney cartoon favorites brought to life at the park. Guests can meet with their favorite Disney characters at meet and greet locations throughout the park. (Photo: August 20, 2006)

Photo of the Day: Coronado Springs

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The American Southwest and comes to life at Walt Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort. Opened in 1997, the resort features over 1,900 rooms in three distinct southwestern themes. (Photo: August 17, 2006)