The Wandering Disciple

Starbucks, Universal Cineplex, Panda Express, Hard Rock, TCBY, and so much more.  There is something for everyone at CityWalk at the Universal Orlando resort.  Dining, entertainment and night life is all here with something to do for everyone in your party.  (Photo: October 25, 2010)

As you approach the waterfront on the taxi, this little Italian oasis is not quite Italy but rather Universal Orlando's Portofino Bay Hotel.  The Portofino Bay is a little slice of Italy transplanted in Central Florida packed with authentic Italian experiences, food, music and more just a short water taxi ride from the thrills of the theme parks.  (Photo: October 25, 2010)

A red-shouldered hawk snacks on a snake found along the boardwalk at the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The red-shouldered hawk is one of 224 species of hawks in the Accipitridae family. Found throughout Florida, the hawk also can be found throughout the eastern United States as well as in California as well. To help it pursue prey, the red-shouldered hawk features a rudder-like tail that helps turn quickly in flight to help it capture fast moving prey. (Photo: October 17, 2010)

Riding the rails in style, the Pullman train car was how the affluent members of society traveled the country. These cars were the luxury RV's of the era and exhibited the finest elegant accommodations on the rails. This 1929 Pullman called the Esperanza was on display at the Southwest Florida Museum of History before being sold to the Seminole-Gulf Railroad for restoration. (Photo: October 2, 2010)

A wooden boardwalk connects the nature trail with the beach at Stump Pass Beach State Park in Englewood.  Located on the southern tip of Manasota Key, Stump Pass Beach State Park has a lot to offer from combing the beach for shells, hiking the trails and observing nature or hitting the water on a kayak, jet ski or boat.  (Photo: August 10, 2010)

A barred owl sits perched on a live oak tree at the Circle B Bar Reserve outside of Lakeland.  Barred owls are the most vocal of the Eastern owls with a very distinct call.  While they eat the typical owl diet of small mammals like mice, the barred owls have been known to wade in creeks to catch and eat crayfish.  A diet of crayfish can even cause the belly of the barred owl to turn pink, much like a flamingo eating shrimp.  (Photo: January 26, 2019)

A zeal of zebras huddle together on the safari at the Lowry Park Zoo.  A group of zebras are called a zeal.  In order to protect themselves from predators, a zeal typical stand together in close formation to appear much larger than they are, deterring the potential attack.  (Photo: July 18, 2010)

The USF Bulls sprung into the Tampa scene in 1997 when the University of South Florida launched a college football program.  Since the inception of the program, the Bulls have put together a franchise record of 153-111.  They history of the program is on display at the Tampa Bay History Center in the Year Round Play exhibit, a look at the sports teams that call the Tampa Bay home.  (Photo: May 9, 2010)

An abundance of island coconut trees makes for an abundance of handmade crafts in the Straw Market. Here local artisans turn the coconut shells into works of art like these island figures. (Photo: April 22, 2010)

It doesn't matter what corner of the continent you are on, a Starbucks is not to far away.  The Seattle-base coffee giant's grip on the market can even be felt even in the Caribbean as seen in this colorful coffee house in the Bahamas.  There are over 27,000 Starbucks worldwide with presence in 6 continents and 76 counties.  (Photo: April 21, 2010)

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in time of challenge and controversy." These words echo the true spirit of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. It wasn't easy to face the onslaught of hate groups, challenge the oppression of Southern political leaders, standing up for what you believe in is right even if it meant being arrested twenty nine times or marching from Selma to Montgomery knowing you will be facing an army of opposition along the way. But Dr King never let a challenge stand in the way of what was right. And today as we honor Dr King's legacy, we remember "There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right." It may not be easy, it may not be popular but let it be right. (Photo: December 20, 2014)

Tampa, Florida:    Tampa International Airport is one of my favorite airport to watch airplanes at.  From atop the parking garage, you are centrally located with a great view off all runway and ramp operations.  There is consistently steady aircraft traffic with hidden gems mixed in.  On this trip to KTPA, there was a bunch of weather cancellations due to winter weather in the Northeast, but what was missing in the flight schedule was made up with grounded aircraft on the ramp and a few special visitors too.  Here is a look at what I saw on this trip: Boeing 757-200 - N676DL Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-700- N368CA Airbus A320 - C-FNVU Airbus A320 - N629NK Airbus A320 - N670NK Boeing 737-700 - N944WN Boeing 737-800 - N8515X Boeing 767-200 - N741AX Airbus A320 - N627JB Embraer 190 - N192JB T-6 Texan II - 166201 Boeing 737-800 - N8530W Airbus A320 - N336NW T-6 Texan II - 166108 Boeing 7...