The Wandering Disciple

Caution, Rhinos have the right away.  That's not something you hear everyday in Florida, but that is the rule of the road at Lion Country Safari outside West Palm Beach.  This one of a kind attraction brings the excitement of a safari adventure right in the middle of Florida where you can drive your own car and get close to rhinos, giraffes, zebras and even lions.  (Photo: September 7, 2009)

An emu pokes its head over the fence at ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Emus can reach over six feet in height making them the second largest bird in the world and the largest in their native Australia. Although emus can not fly, they can reach speeds of over 30 miles per hour. (Photo: August 30, 2009)

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. May you have a great holiday with your family and may your day be merry and bright. Merry Christmas!

As the gang gathered around the tree they began to sing, Hark the Herald Angeles Sing. The famous closing from the timeless classic "A Charlie Brown Christmas" leads us into Christmas Eve. May you and your family have a wonderful Christmas filled with memories. (Photo: December 31, 2016)

Ding Ding Ding, come and get it, supper's done.  Dinner bells like this one were a common fixture on plantations and farms throughout the country.  They were used to alert workers to come in from the fields for a hot meal.  This dinner bell is at the Gamble Plantation, former sugar plantation on the banks of the Manatee River.  Today the mansion is restored and part of the Florida State Parks System.  (Photo: August 7, 2009)

After the sun sets over ZooTampa, the zoo lights up for the holiday season for Christmas in the Wild.  For select nights in December, the holiday spirit takes over as bright colorful lights and entertainment turn the zoo into a Christmas wonderland. (Photo: December 22, 2018)

A gentle walk through the woods along the nature trail at Koreshan State Park takes hikers from the abandoned settlement of the Koreshans to the Florida wilds along the Estero River.  The hiking trail starts in the village where there are eleven maintained historic buildings left abandoned from religious sect as they attempted to found a New Jerusalem.  The trail then meanders along the Estero River passing through thick forests of bamboo and native Florida fauna.  The trail extends about a mile and half before ending at the picnic and playground area near the campground.  (Photo: July 29, 2009)

Florida, the Sunshine State, is known for daily dose of vitamin D. And what comes with sunshine, amazing sunrises and sunsets. The Sunshine State is one of the best places to watch the sun rise and set. From sunrises on the Atlantic to sunsets on the Gulf, there isn't a bad spot in the state to watch Mother Nature paint a masterpiece in the sky. (Photo: December 17, 2018)

A playful pair of white tiger cubs frolic in the grass at ZooTampa (formerly Lowry Park Zoo).  The white tiger cubs, a boy and a girl, were born at the zoo back in November 2008.  A white tiger is a version of the Bengal tiger that is rare in the wild because the lack of camouflage causes them to become easy prey in the wild.  The white tigers were later given a new home at the National Tiger Sanctuary around 2011. Although the white tigers no longer live at ZooTampa, the zoo is home to the Malayan Tiger which can be seen in the Asian Gardens section of the zoo. (Photo: June 28, 2009)

For years, the Ringling's Ca' d' Zan was the premier entertainment spot.  The elegant mansion on Sarasota Bay was the winter home of John and Mable Ringling and the circus magnate would host some of the most extravagant parties of the time.  Today guests can walk the same footsteps of the rich and famous and get a glimpse into the lives of the Ringlings.  (Photo: June 14, 2009)

St Petersburg, Florida: Nestled within the densest populated county in Florida, this Pinellas County park offers visitors a chance to hike through on of the largest maple swamps on the Gulf Coast. Sawgrass Lake Park is a hidden oasis in the hustle and bustle of busy St Petersburg. At 400 acres, Sawgrass Lake Park is a welcomed green space in the busy city. It preserves one of the largest maple swamps in the region and is also an important feature in the county’s protection against flooding. As a result of the lake, swamp and canals, Sawgrass Lake Park has become a home to a vast collection of plants and wildlife. To explore the park deeper, there is a one-mile elevated boardwalk that meanders through the swamp. Along the way there are benches and shade canopies that allow you to rest while enjoying the beauty of the park. The boardwalk eventually leads to a two-story observation tower overlooking Sawgrass Lake. If you want to get off the beaten path and get your feet dirt...

A gorilla turns his back on the troop as he seeks a little alone time at the Myombe Reserve at Busch Gardens. Gorillas have similar social characteristics as humans and watching them closely can be very entertaining. The Myombe Reserve at Busch Gardens is home to an entire troop of gorillas. (Photo: May 31, 2009)

Each winter, the National Mall becomes a winter wonderland as the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden is transformed into an ice skating rink.  Here you and your family can skate among the backdrop of historic buildings like the National Archives and famous sculptures in the garden.  The popular ice rink is open yearly from Mid November through March.  (Photo:  February 16, 2009)

A wax replica of Tiger Woods lines up a shot at the Madame Madame Tussauds wax museum on Washington DC. This unique collection of wax figures features politicians, enterainers, muscicians and more in life-like wax form. You can get close to these figures as they are displayed in interactive exhibits that scream take a pic with me. Madame Tussauds DC is one of 24 museums worldwide in the Madame Tussauds collection. (Photo: February 15, 2009)

Sitting high atop a ridge on the edge of the nation's capital, Washington National Cathedral has served DC since 1912.  It has a place in presidential history, hosting state funerals and presidential inauguration prayers services for many of the country's leader.  The pulpit was also the spot of Dr Martin Luther King Jr's final sermon before his assassination in 1968.  Today the cathedral hosts three worship services daily, hosting almost 300,000 visitors annually.  (Photo: February 15, 2009)

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. That is the unofficial motto of the United States Postal Service. Each day the postal service processes nearly 5 million pieces of mail to people in big cities all the way to the most rural locations. At times, the postal service needed to adapt to meet the needs of the community like this Rural Free Delivery mail sled on display at the National Postal Museum. (Photo: February 15, 2009)

What you can't see, can kill you.  That is the intent behind the unmanned drones such as the Predator seen here at the National Air and Space Museum.  Now a primary weapon of the US Armed Forces, a drone is the eyes and ears and spear of the nation's fighting forces allowing operators to monitor and neutralize a threat thousand of miles away without endangering a single allied troop.  (Photo: February 16, 2009)

Sitting high atop the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington House has a storied history.  Formally called the Custis-Lee Mansion, estate was built by George Washington Parke Custis began construction in 1801 and wasn't completely finished until 1818. It was built high above a peak just outside the nation's capital on what would later be known as Mount Washington. But the home is mostly widely known for its last resident, Confederate General Robert E Lee. Lee was a colonel in the US Army until the Civil War when he defected to his native Virginia and became the general for the Confederate Army. President Lincoln viewed this as being a traitor to his country so the US government seized the property and turned it into a national cemetery. Today the Arlington House still overlooks the Arlington National Cemetery from atop the peak and serves a memorial to Robert E Lee and his efforts to promote peace and reunion following the Civil War.  (Photo: Februar...

Transportation in the early days was difficult, in order to cross the country you needed to take a risky wagon ride across the rugged countryside.  But it would all change in the the late 1800's as the country was introduced to a new form of travel, the railroad.  Before long, the country was connected with a series of rail lines making it easier to move people and goods across the nation.  The America on the Move exhibit at the National Museum of American History allows you to follow the journey of transportation in the country from horse back to the present day. (Photo: February 14, 2009)

A giant gypsum crystal sits on display at the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of Natural History.  The museum boasts a large collection of gem stones like this crystal.  It seems like it would take a large time for a crystal this large to materialize however with the right nutrient rich soil and ideal temperatures a big crystal can develop pretty quickly.  (Photo: February 14, 2009)

This little saloon in downtown Washington DC was the spot where one of the nations darkest moments began.  April 14, 1865 would start like any other day for Peter Taltavull as he worked at his Star Saloon next to one of DC's prominent theaters.  He served patrons including a famous actor but little did he know, the nation would change in just a few short hours.  After finishing his whiskey, John Wilkes Booth went next door to assassinate President Lincoln. Following the shooting, the saloon was the first choice to bring the ailing president but they chose the Peterson House across the street instead.  The saloon never recovered from the events surrounding the President's death and it closed.  Today it is part of the Ford's Theatere National Historic District.  (Photo: February 14, 2009)

Tampa, Florida:    Took a morning trip to the zoo and traffic worked in my favor for once so I was able to squeeze in a little plane watching action at Tampa International Airport before the zoo opened.  For a busy airport, Tampa is very easy to watch at as the parking garage sits between both runway.  Today Runway 1 was in action so I parked on the south side of the 8th floor of the parking garage and watched a few planes come in.  Since its the holiday season, I got to watch a little cargo action today.  Here is a look at what I saw today: Boeing 737-800 - N17245 Boeing 767-300 - N331AZ Dassault Falcon 2000 - N25KZ Saab 340 - N435XJ Airbus A321 - N167US Boeing 737-700 - N448WN Boeing 737-800 - N940NN Airbus A321 - N708FR Saab 340 - N341AG Boeing 737-700 - N283WN Boeing 737-700 - N941WN Boeing 767-300 - N149FE Frontier Airlines - N317FR

Fort Myers, Florida: The cooler Floridian weather means the outdoor adventures continue, this time with a return trip to Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. This local hike is one of my favorites, a raised boardwalk with plenty of wildlife to see. Although today was pretty quiet, it was still an enjoyable walk and who really doesn’t enjoy a day of outdoor adventures. On today’s hike, I saw: American Alligator  Black-crowned Night Heron  Double-Crested Cormorant   Eastern Gray Squirrel  Great Blue Heron  White Ibis   Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is located at 7791 Penzance Boulevard in Fort Myers, Florida. It is open daily from dawn to dusk. Admission to the park is free however Lee County charges a parking fee of $1 per hour/$5 max per day.  Click on the photo above to view the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve photo gallery .

Cape Coral, Florida: Tucked away in the shadows of the mid-point bridge, the Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve is a hidden gem in a bustling city. One part nature preserve, other part tribute to our nation’s heroes, the Ecological Park has something for the whole family. The 365 acre preserve is the second largest preserve in Cape Coral. It was designated by the State of Florida to be preserved at the City of Cape Coral was being developed. Today it stands as a nature preserve allowing visitor to take a break from city life and enjoy the natural beauty that was once Florida. A trip to the park begins with a stop at the nature center. This small nature center gives you a glimpse at what you will encounter on your hike through Four Mile Cove. From there it is time to hit the trail. Here the trail is a 1 ¼ mile raised boardwalk through forest of mangroves. Along the way, there are information signs to tell you a little more about the park, its residents and the fauna that m...

Venice, Florida: As we get deeper and deeper into playoff football, the field of teams gets smaller and smaller as we enter the Regional Playoffs, or the final four. The Venice Indians hosted the Bloomingdale Bulls in the Class 7A-Region 3 final on Friday night at Powell-Davis Stadium. The first half was a shoot out with both teams evenly matched with the Bulls heading into the locker room with a slim three-point lead. But halftime adjustments gave the Indians the edge with 28 unanswered points in the second half, leading the home team Indians to a 57-32 win. The Bulls got on the scoreboard first with a pick-6 interception by Levi Williams. A quick pass from Jon Catala to Quinton Mccoy on the PAT gave the Bulls 8-0 lead. Venice answered with a 70-yard drive capped by a seven yard touchdown run by Brandon Gregory, the Indians also completed a two point conversion to tie the game 8-8. Bloomingdale later forced an Indian turnover on a fumble marched the ball down the field, ca...

Tampa, Florida: When people think of wild animals, most people think of African safaris. However some of the most exotic animals in the wild can be found in Asia. But if you want to save money on travel and shots for your body, take a trip to Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park and walk through Asian Garden. Asian Gardens is one of the oldest sections of Zoo Tampa. It is located left of Zoo Boulevard near the entrance to the park. Here you will find the entrance to the boardwalk and the exotic animals you can encounter here. Komodo Dragons, Malayan Tiger, Sloth Bears, Indian Rhinoceros, Clouded Leopard and Malayan Tapirs are just a few of the residents of Asian Gardens. If birds are your thing, Asian Gardens is home to one of the zoo’s free flight aviaries that looks like its straight from Indonesia and filled with mandarin ducks, muntjac deer and more. Zoo Tampa is also starting to offer more and more interactive animal experiences which bring guests closer to the animals and one of ...

Largo, Florida: The sunshine state, a state of perpetual tropical weather. The lack of cold winter and freezes makes it an ideal place to grow a garden and because of its location in the tropics, the gardens support a wide array of flora and fauna. That is what you will find at the Florida Botanical Gardens. Here you can find bright colorful flowers, thriving fruit trees and even a succulent or two…who doesn’t like a good succulent. The Florida Botanical Gardens was established to help educate both residents and visitors about the natural resources in our environment. In addition to enjoying or in my case photographing the gardens, you can also learn how you can plant and sustain a beautiful Florida friendly yard. Visitors to the garden can get lost in the over 10,000 plants found within the garden. The gardens are quite large, thirty acres to be exact. It is separated into two sections, the east gardens and the west gardens with McKay Creek separating the two. The west gar...

Port Charlotte, Florida: While cold winter weather has taken hold of a good chunk of the country, it was still baseball season in South Florida where the boys of summer faced off for a late fall exhibition match-up at Charlotte Sports Park. On Sunday evening it was the USA Baseball 18U National Team hosting the University of Florida Gators. The USA Baseball team is currently playing a series of exhibition games in Florida to evaluate their players and prepare themselves for upcoming tournament play. Tonight they put their unbeaten streak on the line against a tough Gators team. Click on the photo above to view photos from the USA Baseball/Gators photo gallery .

Punta Gorda, Florida: On the way back from Fort Myers, I checked Flightradar24.com and saw there were a few Allegiant flight movements at Punta Gorda Airport as I passed by on I-75. Runway 4 was in use so I found a spot at the end of Challenger Boulevard with a clear view of departing aircraft on Runway 4. Here is a look at what I was able to photograph: Airbus A320 - N257NV PT-22 Recruit - N47210 Airbus A320 - N262NV Airbus A320 - N260NV

Fort Myers, Florida: On a trip to Fort Myers, I managed to squeeze in some planespotting time at Southwest Florida International Airport. Here at RSW, there is an official observation area located along the north side of the airfield off of Air Cargo Lane. From here you have a view of the runway area, which is a single runway making it easy for spotting. Today Runway 6 was active, making for landing traffic in front of the observation area. Here is a look at what aircraft arrived or departed during my time at the airport: Boeing 717-200 - N893AT Airbus A320 - N329FR Embraer Legacy 6000 - N600LP Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-200 - N155MW Beechcraft Beechjet - N61GB Airbus A319 - N808AW Airbus A320 - N422UA Boeing 757-200 - N690DL Airbus A320 - JetBlue N643JB Airbus A320 - N402UA Embraer 190 - N296JB Boeing 757-200 - N696DL Airbus A319 - N831AW Boeing 737-800 - N970NN Boeing 767-300 - C-GHPE ...