The Wandering Disciple

A red shouldered hawk looks down from a palm tree scanning for its next meal.  The hawk will sit quietly on a perch just below the forest canopy waiting for a snake, lizard or small mammal to forage on the forest floor.  It then swoops in and catches its prey with their sharp talons.  (Photo: March 1, 2015)

Despite the cold weather sweeping the nation, Florida and Arizona are about to heat up with spring training baseball in a little over 45 days.  The crack of the bat and baseballs snapping the leather of the gloves with fill the air as the boys of summer take to the field and begin preparations for the 2018 season.  (Photo: February 28, 2015)

A manatee slowly surfaces for air outside the TECO power plant in Apollo Beach.  Every winter, hundreds of manatees, also known as sea cows, migrate to the warm waters to escape the chilly waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  You can get an up close look of these gentle giants at the TECO Manatee Viewing Center at the edge of the canal by the plant. (Photo: February 21, 2015)

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.  I hope you and your family have a safe and enjoyable Christmas.  Thank you for following my photography site.  (Photo: November 20, 2017)

The Higgins Boat was an unsung hero of World War II.  The landing craft was a crucial tool in the Allied troops attacks on beaches during the war.  It was so important to the effort that General Eisenhower claimed that if it wasn't for these vessels, they could have never stormed a beach.  The Higgins Boat here is on display at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.  As a result of the impact of these boats on the outcome of the war, it was decided to built the museum in New Orleans, home of Higgins Industries and the main location of the construction of these vessels.  (Photo: November 22, 2017)

A coin press sits on display in the basement of the Old US Mint in New Orleans.  A small museum in here pays tribute to the New Orleans Mint that was in operation from 1838-1909.  The mint was the only one in the country to print currency for two nations, the United States of America and the Confederate States of America.  (Photo: November 21, 2017)

Sitting rooms like this one here in the 1850 House in New Orleans was a place for high society to entertain their guests.  The 1850 House Museum operated by the Louisiana State Museum highlights the homes of affluent citizens in New Orleans during the mid 1800's.  (Photo: November 21, 2017)

The infamous urban search and rescue markings were all over New Orleans and the areas effected by Hurricane Katrina.  These marking were used by first responders to identify the structures that were cleared post storm as well as findings and hazards encountered.  Today, the Louisiana State Museum has an entire gallery that focuses on Hurricane Katrina at The Presbytère museum in the French Quarter.  (Photo: November 21, 2017)

One of the most prized artifact on display in the Louisiana State Museum, the Napoleon Death Mask attracts visitors to the Cabildo at Historic Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter. The mask is one of only four death masks from Napoleon Bonaparte in existence. It was created from a mold by one of Napoleon’s physicians Dr Antommarchi about forty hours following his death in 1821. In 1834 Dr Antommarchi donated the bronze mask to the City of New Orleans. (Photo: November 21, 2017)

A cannon helps protect the rampart at the edge of the Chalmette Battlefield, the last line of defense for New Orleans during the War of 1812.  It is here on this battlefield just outside of town where the Battle of New Orleans. American General Andrew Jackson was able to hold off the British troops from conquering the city in the last major conflict of the War of 1812.  (Photo: November 20, 2017) 

The pilot boat Marvin G guides a freighter through the channels of the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans.  Pilot vessels like the Marvin G are critical to safe sailing in unfamiliar waters. They provide a guidance to the crews through the tight channels of a port.  (Photo: November 20, 2017)

An African Penguin takes a swim at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.  The African Penguin is the only species of penguins that can live in warm weather.  They are primarily found in Southern Africa.  The African Penguin exhibit is one of the many marine life exhibits found at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas located along the Mississippi River waterfront in downtown New Orleans.  (Photo: November 20, 2017)

Hundreds of colorful butterfly fill the Butterfly Garden at the Audubon Insectarium in downtown New Orleans.  The butterfly here are a sampling over over 50 different types of insects found within the Insectarium.  The Audubon Insectarium is the largest museum in the country dedicated to insects.  (Photo: November 20, 2017)

"December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan..." These famous words led President Franklin D Roosevelt's address to the nation, declaring war against Japan following their surprise attack on the Naval base at Pearl Harbor. This action led to the United States entering World War II. You can learn more about the US involvement and walk through the history of the war at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. (Photo: November 22, 2017)

Sarasota, Florida: The holiday season is in the air and baseball is on the field for the Suncoast Athletics 7th Annual Toys for Tot Tournament. Opening round bracket put the Englewood Stingrays against Kangaroo Court Baseball on Sunday morning at Twin Lakes Park. The Stingrays were handed a 12-7 loss eliminating them from the tournament. Click on the photo above to view my Stingrays/Kangaroo Court photo gallery .

Sarasota, Florida: The Englewood Stingrays took the field for game two of Saturday’s pool play for the 2017 Toys for Tots Tournament. This time they would take on the New Tampa Warriors in the final game of the afternoon at Twin Lake Park. The Stingrays could not muster any offense in this one as they fell 15-0. Click on the picture above to view my Stingrays/Warriors photo gallery .

Sarasota, Florida: The Englewood Stingrays took a major blow in the first game of their doubleheader of pool play during the 2017 Toys for Tots Tournament. In Saturday’s game one, the Stingrays faced off against the Tampa Marauders. The Stingrays were held off the scoreboard in the opener as they fell 21-0 to the Marauders. Click on the photo above to view my Stingrays/Marauders photo gallery.

Venice, Florida: The capacity crowd at Powell Stadium was electric for Friday night lights as the Venice Indians hosted St Thomas Aquinas for the semi-finals of the Florida Class 7A football playoffs. The winner of this match-up would have their ticket punched for the state finals next weekend in Orlando. St Thomas Aquinas found the end zone first, scoring the first quarter on a defensive touchdown. Jaden Davis recovered a fumble and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead. With less than a minute to go in the first quarter, the Raiders got three more points on a 40 yard field goal by Alex McCourt to make it 10-0. Venice got on the scoreboard in the second quarter following a ten yard run by quarterback Bryce Carpenter. St Thomas then answered with a 45 yard touchdown pass as Derek Wingo hit Nigel White for a touchdown. At the end of the first half, St Thomas Aquinas took a 17-7 lead into the locker room for halftime. The third quarter was all ...