The Wandering Disciple

The magic of the Walt Disney World resort even extends outside the theme parks as even the fire houses are bright and colorful.  The job of protecting the Walt Disney World resort and guests falls upon the Reedy Creek Fire Department.  The department services the resort with almost 200 personnel operating out of four stations.  They provide fire, EMS, fire prevention and 911 communications to the Walt Disney World resort.  (Photo: November 17, 2007)

As we enjoy the Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of the summer, lets not forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedoms.  While you spark up the grill or enjoy the beach, make sure to take a moment and give thanks to those brave men and woman who gave their lives protecting our great nation.  (Photo: August 25, 2014)

Sunshine and blue skies welcome early morning park goers to Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort.  WDW resort guests are awarded with early admission to parks on select days, allowing them to enjoy the park an hour earlier than the normal opening time.  (Photo: November 17, 2007)

A brightly colored scarlet macaw welcomes visitors to the Bird Gardens at Busch Gardens in Tampa.  The scarlet macaw is colorful large parrot that is found in South America.  (Photo: November 4, 2007)

Sarasota, Florida: As the days wind down to opening day for the short season teams, the players continue to work on their skills during exhibition games at extended spring training.  Since April, the players not assigned to a full season team have spent time in extended spring training, waiting for their chance to break to their 2016 home. Today the Rays headed north to Ed Smith Stadium for a Friday afternoon game against the Orioles.  The extended spring training roster is comprised of lower level minor league players that are in their first couple years of professional baseball.  They play six games a week. The games are focused on player development and there are no scoreboards or frills of a professional baseball game. Extended spring training continues through June 10.  At that time, the players will be assigned to their short-season affiliate for opening day. Click on the photo above to view my Rays/Orioles photo gallery .

A lioness overlooks the pride at the Edge of Africa exhibit at Busch Gardens Tampa.  The Edge of Africa exhibit is a walking trail on the edge of the Serengeti Plain that brings park guests face to face with lions, hyenas and much more.  (Photo: September 15, 2007)

A brightly colored Atlantic Puffin stands guard over the colony at the Penguin Encounter attraction at Sea World Orlando.  The Atlantic Puffin is the only puffin species to be found in the Atlantic Ocean and live in the colder waters of the Northern Atlantic.  (Photo: July 22, 2007)

St Petersburg, Florida: The Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics locked horns in an exciting game of long ball to conclude “Play Ball” weekend at Tropicana Field. The ball had a hard time staying in the yard as the game featured a combined seven homers. The hit parade started in the first inning as both team exchanged homers in the first inning. It was Danny Valencia striking his first of three homers in the top of the inning. Then Brandon Guyer answered with a solo shot in the bottom of the first to tie the game 1-1. Guyer homered again in the second, this time a three run blast to left gave the Rays a 4-1 lead. The Rays added a run in the fourth as Guyer drove home his fifth run of the afternoon via a sac fly to score Steve Pearce and give the Rays a 5-1 lead. The A’s inched closer to the lead by manufacturing three runs in the fifth. Coco Crisp drove home a run with an RBI single to score Yonder Alonso. Then Valencia cleared the bases with a two run homer to pull with...

Port Charlotte, Florida: The Jupiter Hammerheads headed over to the west coast for a series against the Charlotte Stone Crabs and took command of the series after sweeping the series opening doubleheader on Friday night at Charlotte Sports Park. Game one saw the visiting Hammerheads squeeze out a 3-1 win on the arm of starter Jorgan Cavanerio. Game two saw an offense explosion by the visiting Hammerheads as they cruised to 12-4 win in the night cap. While Cavanerio was getting things done on the mound, the Hammerheads offense went to work to spot their starter a lead. They pushed across a pair of runs in the second on a two-run double by Brad Haynal. Jupiter added another run in the fifth on a sac fly by Brian Anderson that scored Junior Sosa to give the Hammerheads a 3-0 lead. The Stone Crabs scored their lone run in the bottom of the seventh. Jace Conrad doubled to left and scored on a single by Cristian Toribio. But they couldn’t find a way to close the gap as they fell 3-1....

Venice, Florida: During our weekend trip to the beach at South Brohard Beach, we had a nice day to observe some shorebird activity.  For the first time, we observed a bird that we had not seen before.  It really stood out among the normal beach visitors and it turned out to be a black bellied plover in breeding plumage.  This was a really neat looking bird and provided a nice break from the usual sights.  In addition to the birds along the shore, there was even a dolphin feeding just off the coast for quite some time. Here is a list of the animals seen during our beach visit: Black-bellied Plover Brown Pelican Dolphin Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling

Today we made our weekly trip to the beach at South Brohard Park and while my wife and son looked for shells and sharks teeth, I watched the air traffic into Venice Municipal Airport.  Here is a snap shot of what we saw today: Cessna Skyhawk - N655PD Piper Cherokee - N2914B Ultravia Pelican Sport 600 - N25881  Robinson R-22 - N80407  Cirrus SR-22 - N169DW Bell 407 - N911VS Cessna 310 - N5794M Cessna Skyhawk - N71FC  Cirrus SR-20 - N349CD 

Englewood, Florida: Youth baseball fans in Englewood were treated with a great baseball game on Cinco De Mayo eve.  A battle of of the top two teams in the league took place on a crisp Thursday night at Englewood Sports Complex.  But a crazy play with one out remaining in the game would make the difference as Labadie Construction edged Key Agency 7-6. Key Agency jumped out to an early lead by pushing across a pair of runs in the first inning.  A sac fly by Cody Mayes scored the first run of the inning.  The second run of the inning came as Bryce Noll scored on an error to make it 2-0. Labadie bounced back in the bottom of the first to grab the lead.  They loaded the bases on back to back singles by Jacob Newcomb and Trey Rutan followed by a walk issued to Charlie Dillmore.  A fielding error allowed Newcomb to score the first run of the inning.  Then Labadie took the lead on a two run single by Lucas Newcomb to give them a 3-2 lead. Labadie Con...