The Wandering Disciple

T I double 'guh' errrrr, that spells Tigger.  The energetic bouncing friend of Winnie the Pooh comes to life in a topiary at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.  The annual event at Epcot brings the animated characters of famous Disney movies to topiary masterpieces throughout the park.  (Photo: March 27, 2007)

A giant eight track tape adorns the side of the 70's building at Disney's Pop Century Resort at Walt Disney World.  Iconic images from past decades have been transformed larger than life here the the sprawling resort.  Forty years of pop icons are represented here with bowling pins in the 50's, yo-yo's in the 60's, eight tracks in the 70's Rubix Cubes in the 80's and cell phones for the 90's. A stay at the Pop Century is a trip down memory lane to the favorites that helped shape the generation. (Photo: March 28, 2007)

Say hello to Walter, one of the animal ambassadors of ZooTampa.  Walter is a three year old Florida Panther that was injured about a year ago after getting caught in a snare trap.  The trap caused a partial amputation of his paw and a crushing injury to his trachea.  Through the amazing care of the veterinary team at ZooTampa, Walter was treated and has made a recovery.  While he still has physical challenges caused by the partial amputation, special modifications were made to his habitat and he is thriving in Walter's Corner part of a new expansion at the zoo.

John Klatt speeds past the flight line in the Jack Links Screamin’ Sasquatch.  The Screamin' Sasquatch is one wild beast, mixing one half prop plane and the other half jet engine resulting in one fast moving, adrenaline packed performance.  It's only fitting that is act is sponsored by Jack Links because this aircraft is a wild ride.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

They may be forged by the sea, but the US Navy can also go airborne as seen here during a demonstration by the US Navy Leap Frogs.  The Leap Frogs are an aerial demonstration team consisting of Navy Seals and their primary mission is to aid in recruitment for the US Navy.  Performing at air shows across the country, the Leap Frogs demonstrate their ability to work as a team as they jump from an aircraft 6,000 feet above the ground.  Jumpers spend three years on tour with the Leap Frogs before returning to their normal operational unit.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

The Geico Skytypers break across the sky, simulating a technique used by fighter pilots to confuse enemy attackers.  The Geico Skytypers perform across the country using the SNJ-2, a US Navy trainer used to train allied pilots during World War II.  Today the Skytypers routine mixes sky typing with training maneuvers used by pilots during allied training.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

Jerry "Jive" Kirby waves to the crowd at MacDill Air Force Base after his performance at the 2018 Tampa Bay AirFest.  Flying Wild Blue, the little RV-8 that wants to be a fighter jet, Kirby puts on an aerial performance that rivals Wild Blue's role models.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

The distinct sound if the A-10 Thunderbolt can be a blessing to ground troops or a curse to enemy combatants as it roars overhead of a ground conflict.  Built by Fairchild Republic and entered into service in 1977, the A-10 commonly known as the Warthog is the only aircraft built specifically for close air support of ground troops and equipment.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

No, the picture isn't upside down, the pilot is.  Jim Tobul pilots the F4U-4 Corsair "Korean War Hero" upside down across the flight line at the 2018 Tampa Bay AirFest at MacDill AirFest.  The Korean War Hero has a distinguished career, plying over 200 combat missions while serving on two tours of duty with two carrier groups.  After being retired from the US Navy, the Korean War Hero served an additional ten years with the Honduran Air Force.  In 1981, it was purchased by Tobul and following an extensive restoration returned to the skies in 1991.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

Scott "Scooter" Yoak pilots the P-51 Mustang Quicksilver in front of the crowds at the 2018 Tampa Bay AirFest at MacDill Air Force Base.  The paint job on Quicksilver tells a story and pays tribute to those who defended our nation.  The black cape covering the front of the P-51 represents the veil of protection provided by our armed services.  The black paint features tiny sparkling start that are for the American Veteran that served our nation.  The silver ring behind the spinners is a halo of the guardian angel who guide our armed forces.  The stripes on the wings are for heritage as the stripes were common for allied aircraft during World War II, the war in which the P-51 fought.  The bare metal provides a reflection of those who look at the aircraft and a reminder of who all the veterans have found for.  Quicksilver travels the air show circuit to pay tribute to the men and woman who serve our nation.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

Mike Goulian flies inverted in the Extra 330 over top of Rob Holland in the MXS to kick of Tampa Bay AirFest at MacDill Air Force Base in South Tampa. The high flying aerial acrobatics of Goulian and Holland were just some of the avation acts that dazzled the crowds over Mother's Day weekend. (Photo: May 12, 2018)

The KC-135 Stratotanker flies across the flight line during the 2018 Tampa Bay Air Fest at MacDill Air Force Base.  MacDill is home to a squadron of flying gas stations aka the KC-135. The KC-135 is used to extend the range of bombers and fighters by provide mid-air refueling services.   Introduced in 1957, is one of six military aircraft with over 50 years of continuous service.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

A juvenile male lion lays in the grass at the Edge of Africa in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.  The lion's mane is one of the most recognizable features of a lion with male lions developing a mane at about a year old.  The mane grows larger and darker with age.  In a confrontation, the mane is used to make the King of the Wild look larger helping to intimidate the other predator.  (Photo: March 10, 2007)

A pair of terns hang out on the beach inside the Florida Aquarium.  While many people think of fish and sea life when thinking of the aquarium, but the Florida Aquarium is much more than that.  Here at the Florida Aquarium, you follow the path of water from the springs all the way to the ocean.  During this journey you not only encounter the sea life but also the land lubbers as well including birds, gators and even otters all included to help tell the story of how the different ecosystems work together to create our oceans.  (Photo: January 28, 2007)

A Guenon entertains the crowds with some silly antics at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida. Known for their bright coats and long tails, Guenon can be found in the forests of sub-Saharan Africa. The Guenon are just one species of primates that can be found at Lowry Park Zoo. (Photo: January 21, 2007)

Crikey! That's one big croc there.  This Nile Crocodile just shows off how big he is as he lies along the water in the Edge of Africa at Busch Gardens Tampa.  An adult male Nile Crocodile can reach 16 feet in length and weight up to 1,600 pounds.  (Photo: December 31, 2006)

After passing through the turnstiles of the Magic Kingdom, the Main Street USA Train Station is your gateway to the kingdom, welcoming you a magical day where dream can come true.  From here you can either hop aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad and take a trip around the park with stops in Frontierland and Fantasyland or you can pass under the station and stroll down Main Street on your way to the fun that awaits in the Magic Kingdom.  (Photo: April 29, 2018)

Towering over the center of Animal Kingdom, the Tree of Life is the icon of Disney's Animal Kingdom.  During the daytime, you can marvel at the animals carved in the trunk of the tree.  But when the sun goes down, the animals come to life with a light show that occurs throughout the night.  During the show, the animal carvings come to life in stunning light displays.  (Photo: April 28, 2018)

A Taveta weaver works on building a nest in an aviary at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Taveta weaver carefully weaves an intricate nest that not only provides a house to live but also protects their eggs from predators. They start by making a circle and then build upwards from there. When it is finished, the opening is on the bottom so if a predator such as a snake attempts to enter the nest, they will fall out the hole. (Photo: April 28, 2018)