The Wandering Disciple

Who would have thought that a baseball game that started before noon would be played under the lights. But that is exactly what happened Tuesday in the instructional league as the Orioles hosted the Red Sox in a soggy Ed Smith Stadium. (Photo: September 30, 2014)

Sarasota, Florida: It was a soggy, rainy day as the Orioles hosted the Red Sox during the Fall Instructional League. The game time was moved up to avoid a rain-out but it didn't keep the rain away as the teams competed under the light for a day game. Click on the photo for photos from the Orioles/Red Sox game .

The downtown Tampa skyline rises over the Hillsborough River as seen from the University of Tampa. (Photo: July 27, 2013)

A Mig 23 is towed for service at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Manufactured by Mikoyan-Gurevich, the Mig 23 entered into service in 1967. It was primarily used by the Soviet Air Force and has seen action throughout Asia and Africa. (Photo: September 22, 2014)

A cormorant stands guard over the kayak trail at Fort Desoto Park. The trail winds through Soldier Hole and along Mullet Key. (Photo: September 27, 2014)

Tierra Vede, Florida: It has been over a year since our last kayak adventure and we have been itching to be on the water. We have considered buying our own but upfront cost has put them out of our price range. So we decided to rent some kayaks and try our own adventure. After looking around online, I decided to go to Fort Desoto Park at the mouth of Tampa Bay. Of the places I researched, they seemed to be very beginner friendly, offering a marked trail with trail map for the tour. Their kayak provider, United Park Service, also seemed to have very reasonable rates. It didn't take much arm twisting, actually none at all, to convince my dad to come along and give it a try. He has always wanted to go but has never had the opportunity. So we packed up the van and headed north to Fort Desoto. We arrived at Fort Desoto at almost 10 am only to find the kayak rental store closed despite their website and brochure stating they opened at 9. I called the phone number on the br...

Rays prospect Casey Gillaspie hits a towering fly ball during Friday's instructional league game against the Orioles. Gillaspie was drafted by the Rays in the first round of the 2014 Draft out of Wichita State University. (Photo: September 26, 2014)

Sarasota, Florida:  While fall may be in the air in most of the country, the sun is still out in Florida and is shining on the Fall Instructional League.  The Orioles hosted the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium.  The fall instructional league continues through October 7 and features some of the top minor league young prospects in the game. Click on the photo to view my Rays/Orioles photo gallery.

Roosters roam freely on the streets of Ybor City. The history of the wild chickens date back to the last century and the regions Cuban immigrants. Today the roosters are a icon of the region's Cuban heritage. (Photo: July 11, 2013)

A collection of vintage citrus crate labels hang on the wall of the Cattle and Citrus exhibit at the Orange County History Center. The exhibits looks at how the citrus industry helped shape Central Florida and pave the way for the successful growth of the region. (Photo: July 9, 2013)

A replica of the Rosetta Stone is on display at the Orlando Science Center. The Rosetta Stone was inscribed with the Memphis decree issued by King Ptolemy V in 196 BC. The stone was discovered by French soldiers in 1799. Today the original Rosetta Stone is on display at the British Museum. (Photo: July 9, 2013)

The soggy trend continues in Southwest Florida as heavy rains has once again provided the Sunshine State with liquid sunshine. The rains came down hard, resulting in numerous roads being flooded. (Photo: September 22, 2014)

The classical style of the Saint George Orthodox Church lies in stark contrast to the modern skyscrapers that surround it in downtown Orlando. Originally built as the First Church of Christ the Scientist in 1926, the building is now occupied by the Antiochian Orthodox congregation. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. (Photo: July 9, 2013)

A Blue-and-yellow macaw sits on a perch at Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Opened in 1939, Jungle Gardens is the oldest continuously operated attraction in Florida and is home to over 150 animals. (Photo: July 8, 2013)

An AV-8B Harrier II from the US Marine Corps sits on static display at the Florida International Air Show. The Harrier is best know for its ability to take of vertically and hover, much like a helicopter. It is produced by McDonnell Douglas and entered into service in 1985. (Photo: March 24, 2013)

Two baby owls sit in their nest at Stump Pass State Park.  The Great Horned Owls nested as the southern end of the park.  (Photo: March 5, 2013)

Go under the sea and visit the world of Ariel, Flounder and Sebastian at the Journey of the Little Mermaid at Disney's Magic Kingdom.  Hop aboard a clamshell and enjoy scenes from the animated classic.  (Photo: February 11, 2013)

A bald eagle sits in a tree overlooking it's nest at Cedar Point Park.  The park is home to an active pair of nesting eagles which come back to the park annually.  (Photo: December 30, 2012)

Professional baseball is back on Grapefruit League fields as Major League Baseball hosts the Fall Instructional League.  Minor league prospects will play three weeks of instructional games under the watchful eye of the team's player development staff for an opportunity to show their value to the organization.  (Photo: September 15, 2014)

Sarasota, Florida:  The Fall Instructional League is in full swing as the Orioles hosted the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium.  The instructional league takes place each year with the top young minor league players are invited to major league camp and given a brief work-out and a handful of exhibition games as they showcase their talents in front of the organization. Click on the photo above to view my photo gallery from today's Rays/Orioles game.

Pristine wilderness as far as the eye can see dominates the horizon at the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge in South Florida. Located along Tamiami Trail near Naples, the park features 35,000 acres of protected land. (Photo: December 9, 2012)

A Southwest Airlines flight touches down at Tampa International Airport. I am in the process of updating a couple hours of aviation photos from a visit to Tampa International yesterday. Be sure to follow the aviation page of Donten Photography to see all of my aviation photography. (Photo: September 13, 2014)

The sun sets on another day, painting another breathtaking sky over the Cypress Swamp at Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve.

Thirteen years ago today, the United State came under attack following terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, PA.  The attack resulted in the collapse of both towers at the World Trade Center complex.  During the recovery efforts, crews found this cross created by the steel work of the towers.  It became a shrine for the crews and a source of strength during the difficult times to come.  (Photo: August 27, 2005)

A salt marsh is one of the many distinct ecosystems found in the Collier-Seminole State Park in South Florida.  Collier-Seminole is one of several parks and refuges that help protect the real Florida environment along Tamiami Trail through the swamps of South Florida.  (Photo: December 9, 2012)

A Lego birdwatcher is one of the thousands of Lego creations awaiting at Legoland Florida. Around every corner is a new and exciting creation to see and enjoy at this one of a kind theme park dedicated to the childhood favorite Lego building toys. (Photo: October 27, 2012)

A retired B-52 Stratofortress sits on display at the B-52 Memorial Park at Orlando International Airport. The B-52 was once assigned to the McCoy Air Force Base which once operated at the present day Orlando International Airport. (Photo: September 29, 2012)

A runaway stunt plane piloted by Goofy crashes through a billboard during the Barnstormer coaster at the Magic Kingdom. The Barnstormer has been thrilling the entire family since 1996. (Photo: September 29, 2012)

Summer storm clouds dominate the skies over Florida. These large clouds are a sign that the daily afternoon thunderstorms are not far away. (Photo: September 5, 2014)

Venice, Florida: The crowd was just as electric as the lightning that lit up the sky on Friday night as the Venice Indians hosted the Port Charlotte Pirates in the game of the week. What started as a battle of the top seeds in the region ended with a 35-6 win by the host Indians. The Indians won the coin toss and elected to receive the kick. The set the tempo of the game, marching the opening drive down the field. Langston Provitt punched it in from four yards out to give the Indians a 7-0 lead. After exchanging a few stalled drives, the Indians found paydirt again. This time it was quarterback Bryce Carpenter scrambling 56 yard on the option for the touchdown. The Indians would add one more before the half. Carpenter tossed it to Provitt who in turn would throw it 66 yards downfield to Noah Montgomery to give the Indians a 21-0 lead heading into the locker room at half time. A bolt of lightning across the field during halftime put the game into a lightning delay and e...

A wild hibiscus grows along a trail at Fort Desoto Park.  Located on the southern point of Pinellas County, the park is located on the site of an old military fort.  Today Fort Desoto features a museum, campground, hiking trails, fishing piers and much more.  (Photo: April 7, 2012)

A vintage fire truck from the Florida Division of Forestry is on display at the Florida State Fair.  The Florida Division of Forestry Fire Service provides fire suppression services for wildland fires throughout the state.  (Photo: February 18, 2012)

The bright lights of the American Idol stage provides a place for talented singers to show off their talents in front of a live audience to see who has a chance to be the Idol of the Day at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  The attraction opened in 2009 and ran until August 2014.  (Photo: January 28, 2012)

"That's not a flower, that's a skunk". Disney recreated this line from the classic animated film Bambi during the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. During the yearly festival, scenes from Disney classics are recreated in colorful hedge sculptures throughout the park. (Photo: January 7, 2012)

A Zebra Longwing pollinates a flower in the Myakka Islands Preserve. The preserve is a popular spot for many species of butterflies. (Photo: December 4, 2011)