The Wandering Disciple

A mangrove buckeye sits on the foliage at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. In addition to multiple species of butterflies, the refuge is a winter migration stop for thousands of birds. (Photo: November 28, 2009)

A great horned owl sits on display at the Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival. The great horned owl can be found throughout Florida as well as much of the United States. (Photo: November 21, 2009)

The sea grass blows in the wind at Honeymoon Island State Park. The barrier island near Dunedin is a popular spot on Florida’s Gulf Coast. (Photo: November 11, 2009)

An alligator lies in the water at Homossassa Spring Wildlife Park. The park gives you the opportunity to get close to the wildlife in a natural setting of the park. The park features a nature trail that winds through the park with natural animal habitats spread along the way. You can view alligators, bears, bobcats, panthers, snakes, birds of prey, manatees and much more here. (Photo: November 11, 2009)

A marine unit from the Port Canaveral Police Department performs a harbor patrol. The unit protects the many cruise ships and other ocean vessels within the port. (Photo: January 23, 2010)

The South Creek meanders through Oscar Scherer State Park. The creek is a popular spot for canoeing, fishing or just relaxing along the trail and enjoying the view. (Photo: November 8, 2009)

A fleet of Marine Corps helicopters sit on the tarmac at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. While everyone knows the iconic Marine One helicopter, these lesser known helicopters support the president while he flies onboard Marine One. This group is known as HMX-1 and is based at Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico (Photo: October 24, 2009)

A locomotive from the Seaboard Air Line Railroad is just one of many historic trains and cars on display at Florida Railroad Museum in eastern Manatee County. The museum boast a great collection of vintage rail items as well as a rolling stock that takes passenger on daily excursions. (Photo: October 18, 2009)

Today's photo of the day pays tribute to wingwalker Jane Wicker. Jane was killed today during her performance at the Dayton Air Show. During the act, her plane stalled and crashed to the ground killing her and pilot Charlie Schwenker. This photo is from her performance during the 2013 Florida International Air Show. (Photo: March 24, 2013)

A Macaw sits on display in the Bird Gardens at Busch Gardens Tampa. The Bird Gardens portion of the park is the oldest section of the park which opened in 1959. (Photo: September 7, 2009)

An African Penguin enjoy the Florida sunshine at Lowry Park Zoo. African Penguins are one of four species of Banded Penguins that survive in warm weather climates. (Photo: August 30, 2009)

The water well of the Gamble Plantation is seen here behind the antebellum mansion. Owned by Robert Gamble, the sugar plantation was the hideout of Confederate Secretary of State Judah Benjamin at the end of the Civil War. (Photo: August 7, 2009)

The early 1900’s Member Cottage is one of several remaining historic buildings that remain on display at the Koreshan State Historic Site. The park is the site of the former settlement of the Korehsan Unity. The group led by Cyrus Reed Teed came to Estero seeking a new home for their followers in 1894. The colony began to fall following Teed’s death and the last four surviving members deeded the park to to the state in 1961. (Photo: July 29, 2009)

A bald eagle poses for the camera at Lowry Park Zoo.  The eagles are one of several Florida native species that can be seen along the Florida Boardwalk at the zoo.  (Photo: June 28, 2009)

These marble stair lead to one of the most stunning views in Sarasota. The stairs take you to the tower of the Ca d’ Zan for a breathtaking view of Sarasota Bay. The Ca d’ Za is the home of circus entrepreneur John Ringling. (Photo: June 14 2009)

Riders try to beat the heat by getting drench on Congo River Rapids at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.  The white water rafting adventure takes you through the rapid and waterfalls of the Congo.  (Photo: May 31, 2009)

Every winter, the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden comes to life with skaters enjoying the ice rink.  The annual ritual attracts both tourists and residents as they skate the day away along the picturesque backdrop of the National Archives and other DC landmarks.  (Photo: February 16, 2009)

An Eastern Air Lines DC-3 suspends from the air in the America by Air exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. The exhibit showcases the history of commercial aviation in the United States. (Photo: February 16, 2009)

The iconic Kennedy couple is seem here in wax for at Madame Tussauds in Washington DC. President Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy appear almost life like in the collection of over a hundred figures spanning from political to pop culture. (Photo: February 15, 2009)

The Space Window at the National Cathedral is one of over 230 stained glass windows that comprise the cathedral. The Space Window tells the story of our nation’s space program, primarily the Apollo program. The highlight of the window is the moon rock that is in the center of the window. The rock was retreived during the Apollo 11 mission to the Sea of Tranquility. (Photo: February 15, 2009)

To help celebrate the summer solstice, the sailing community gets together for an annual event called the Summer Sailstice. The international event will take place this year on June 22 to correspond with the summer solstice that occurs the day prior. The event was founded in 2001 to help connect the global sailing community. The annual event is enjoyed by over 19,000 sailors from around the world. To learn more about the event or to participate visit www.SummerSailstice.com for more information.

The Snowbird sits on display in the Moving the Mail exhibit at the National Postal Museum. The Snowbird is a Model T Ford with a snow ski attachment known as the mailman’s special. This made it possible to deliver the mail in snowy conditions. (Photo: February 14, 2009)

The John Ericsson National Memorial on the National Mall pays tribute to engineer John Ericsson. His work helped to revolutionize naval history and help maintain the Union’s naval supremacy. The memorial was dedicated in 1926 and features a seated Ericsson and three standing figures that represent adventure, labor and vision. (Photo: February 15, 2009)

The monument of “The Hiker” stands guard over Memorial Drive at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery. Officially known as the United Spanish War Veterans Memorial, the Hiker pays tribute to those who served during the Spanish-American War from 1898-1902. (Photo: February 14, 2009)

A free black woman is portrayed in the Communities of a Changing Nation exhibit at the National Museum of American History in Washington DC. The exhibit showcased the 19th century life and struggles of a industrial workers of Connecticut, Jewish immigrants of Ohio and free blacks of South Carolina. The exhibit ran from February 1999 through September 2012. (Photo: February 14, 2009)

The lifeguard slips into the surf at Lido Beach following the passing of Tropical Storm Andrea.  Tropical Storm Andrea brushed the Sarasota coast today bringing tropical storm forces winds, heavy rains and isolated tornadoes.  The storm stayed off-shore of the Sarasota and made landfall later in the evening in Dixie County, Florida. Click here to see more photos from the storm. (Photo: June 6, 2013)

An arctic fox nestles in a den in Mammal Hall at the National Museum of Natural History.  Mammal Hall is filled with hundreds of animals depicted in their native habitats.  (Photo: February 14, 2009)

Bradenton, Florida: The Bradenton Marauders hosted the Daytona Cubs on Tuesday night in a Florida State League regular season match-up at historic McKechnie Field. The fans were treated to a great pitching/defensive duel which saw the Cubs earning a hard fought 1-0 win. The game remained scoreless until the top of the sixth inning when the Cubs pushed across the games lone run. Click on the photo to view my Marauders/Cubs photo gallery .

This parlor at the Petersen House became the seat of the US government in the hours following the shooting of President Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre. It is from this room that Secretary of War Edward Stanton ran the country while Almarin Cooley Richards of the Metropolitan Police Department conducted the investigation of the shooting. All just steps away from where the dying president was being treated. (Photo: February 14, 2009)

Walking down Peacock Alley is like taking a walk through history.  This elegant hallway connecting the lobby to the ballrooms and has its place in history.  Great American icons like Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr, Ulysses S Grant, Mark Twain, Emily Dickinson and many more have strolled the red carper of Peacock Alley.  (Photo: February 13, 2009)

A VH-3 Sea King from the US Marine Corps HMX-1 Squadron flies over the National Zoo in Washington DC inbound to the south lawn of the White House. These presidential "White Tops" are the official helicopter of the President of the United States. Based in Quantico, the HMX-1 Squadron is responsible for the duties of presidential helicopter transport. (Photo: February 13, 2009)

The buildings of Alexandria, Virginia come to view as our US Air flight is on final approach to Reagan National Airport. The final approach followed the Potomac River over Virginia into the Runway 1 at Reagan. The large structure in the center of the photo is the George Washington Masonic Memorial. (Photo:February 13, 2009)