The Wandering Disciple

A middle infielder for Eagles Baseball of SFL makes an off-balanced throw to first during an opening round tournament game in the 2020 Independence Battle. The two-day tournament hosted in the Port Charlotte area by Prostyle tournaments is on of the first regional tournament following COVID-19. In the 14U AA Class pictured here, it was Jarvel Juice from Fort Lauderdale that would be the tournament winner. (Photo: June 28, 2020)

An F/A-18 Super Hornet from the Strike Fighter Squadron 122 has its gear down and locked on approach to Runway 6 at Southwest Florida International Airport. Based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, VFA-122 is also known as the Flying Eagles was activated in 1999 and serves as Hornet Fleet Replacement Squadron. Their primary role is to transition Navy and Marine Corp pilots from the legacy Hornet to the F/A-18 Super Hornet and F-35 Lightning II. (Photo: June 16, 2020)

A baserunner for the SWFL Yard Dawgs rounds third and looks home during a tournament game at Englewood Sports Complex. The boys of summer are back as baseball has resumed though-out the Sunshine State. After being shuttered for months, games have resumed in the youth baseball travel circuit and the pros are back in camp preparing for their shortened 2020 season. (Photo: June 27, 2020)

The iconic T tail of the Mad Dog as seen from a privately owned McDonnell Douglas MD-87. Nicknamed the Mad Dog, the MD 80/90's series was a work horse of passenger aviation, logging tons of flying time with Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and many more. Over 1,100 of the MD-80 series aircraft were built but only about 150 remain flying. American retired its fleet in 2019 and the last revenue flight for Delta was on June 2, 2020. A few smaller airlines continue to operate the last remaining Mad Dogs. (Photo: June 26, 2020)

Along the side of a country road in the Florida panhandle, American Wisteria is in full bloom making for a colorful roadside. This woody, climbing vine can be found in wet forests and stream banks throughout the Southeastern United States. The bright purple blooms of the plant are popular to many species of butterflies. (Photo: April 3, 2017)

When people think of Florida, they envision flat land and beaches. But did you know there is an area of the state with rolling hills and underground worlds. Step inside one of these underground worlds at Florida Caverns State Park and see the stalgmites and stalactites of the limestone cave. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the New Deal, the park has been taking visitors through the underground world of the Florida Panhandle since 1942. (Photo: April 2, 2017)

Nestled along the Caloosahatchee River is the gateway to Southwest Florida, Fort Myers. Founded in 1885, Fort Myers is a popular destination for tourists thanks to its Gulf beaches and historical and cultural resources. A popular way to see the beauty of the city is by taking a walk along the riverfront in downtown Fort Myers. Centennial Park is filled with monuments and great views of the river. (Photo: March 11, 2017)

The Gulf of Mexico is relatively calm despite a storm raging off shore.  The summer time in Florida is known by afternoon/evening showers along the coast.  You can almost set your watch to these daily storms which provide a reprieve from the summer heat.  (Photo: May 23, 2020)

A mama and bay Malayan Tiger splash around in the pool of their home at ZooTampa. The tiger cub Bersi was born in September 2016 and was the first tiger cub born at the Zoo. Successful reproduction of Malayan Tigers in captivity are crucial to the survival of the species as there are less than 300 adults left in the wild and less than 60 in captivity. (Photo: February 25, 2017)

An alligator lays out in the sunshine at Calusa Nature Center in Fort Myers. Alligators are cold-blooded and rely on the warmth of the sun to help them regulate their body temperature. On really hot days, gators can be seen laying on the bank of a river or pond with their mouth open. He isn't just showing off his mouth full of sharp teeth, this is actually a cooling mechanism similar to that of a dog panting. (Photo: February 19, 2017)

An F-5 Tiger II from VFC-111 is cleared for the option by the tower at Southwest Florida International on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. Fighter Squadron Composite 111, also known as the Sun Downers, is a US Navy adversary squadron based out of the Key West Naval Air Station. The primary responsibility of the Sun Downers is to replicate enemy aircraft during fighter combat simulations. The squadron operates F-5 Tiger II, a supersonic light fighter manufactured by Northrop. (Photo: June 16, 2020)

When the Greek immigrated to Tarpon Springs, they helped shape the region's sponging industry. They developed a technique of sponge diving that is still used today off the coast of Tarpon Springs. A diver submerges under the water, grabs a section of live sponge, cuts a portion of it off and they returns to the boat with his freshly harvested sponge. You can watch this live on the Sponge Diving Exhibition Tour onboard the St Nicholas VII, a historic sponging vessel docked at the historic sponge docks in Tarpon Springs. (Photo: February 4, 2017)

A daily harvest of sponges are seen on a drying line on the sponge boat Anastasi. The sponges are harvested off the coast and brought back to the historic sponge docks of Tarpon Springs where they are dried and later sent to the various markets in town and across the globe. A leisurely walk down the historic docks will give you a glimpse of the sponging industry that helped found Tarpon Springs. (Photo: February 4, 2017)

The patriotic bike decked out in Red,White and Blue is a perfect way to celebrate Old Glory on Flag Day. Established by Presidential proclamation by President Wilson in 1916 and later by an Act of Congress in 1949, Flag Day was established to celebrate the birthday of the United States flag. The US flag was adopted by resolution of the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777 and has been the symbol of the nation ever since. The flag has changed over the years but it still remains on of the most recognized symbols of the United States. (Photo: February 4, 2017)

Take a glimpse inside the clubhouse of the Tampa Bay Rays. Located under the stands of Tropicana Field, this is the home of the Rays. Rays greats from past to present have called this clubhouse their home during the regular season. During Rays Fan Fest, fans can take a tour of the clubhouse and see what life like a major leaguer is like. (Photo: February 4, 2017)

At the Calusa Nature Center in Fort Myers, they give a hoot about native wildlife. In fact, the nature center is a rehabilitation facility for some of Florida's wild residents like this screech owl here. The center cares for several birds of prey, mammals and even reptiles. The animals here have been rescued from the local area and are unable to be released back into the wild due to injury. You can check these guys out during a visit to the center and your admission goes to help support the care of the animals. (Photo: January 22, 2017)

The boardwalk winds through the cypress swamp along your journey through Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. The 1.2 mile boardwalk takes you through the unique ecosystems provided by the slough, a 9-mile long wildlife corridor in the heart of the city. Protected within the park's boundary, the 3,500 wetlands are a safe haven for wildlife including birds, gators, otters and much more and the boardwalk is your front row seat to all the wildlife action. (Photo: January 22, 2017)

A baby orangutan gives its mama a big hug at ZooTampa. The bond between a mother and her baby is very evident with the orangutan babies at the zoo. Watching the two play and explore together is proof of just how strong the maternal bond can be. (Photo: January 14, 2017)

Back in 2017 Benderson Development and Taubman Centers took a big risk, to build a new mall during a time when not much new construction was occurring and especially not mall construction. In fact during the construction of the University Town Center Mall, it was the only new mall being built in the nation. By opening day in October 2014, the UTC Mall was the first mall to open since 2006. Today the 880,000 square foot mall is the premier shopping destination of the Gulf Coast. (Photo: July 31, 2017)

Faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ are the keystones of Compassion International. Drawing upon the mission of Christians, Compassion International joins together impoverished children in third world countries with generous donors worldwide to help improve life for these kids and give them a pathway to success. This process can be experienced through the Compassion Experience, a travelling exhibit that shows the mission of Compassion International. (Photo: January 7, 2017)

Saving lives and protecting property is a big task in the Big Easy. The almost 400,000 rely on the New Orleans Fire Department to keep them safe. With 31 stations and over 650 employees, the NOFD protects 350 square miles including 170 square miles of water. New Orleans suffered two major fire before the fire department ever existed. The first fire department came to New Orleans by the way of a volunteer fire department in 1829 which served the city until the present day paid organization was established in 1891. Today the department responds to over 40,000 calls a year within the city of New Orleans. This photo is Engine 29 from the French Quarter onscene of a call for service during our 2017 trip to New Orleans. (Photo: November 23, 2017)

A rescue boat from Charlotte County Fire/EMS patrols the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Englewood Beach. With miles of shoreline, its it marine resources like this that are tasked with patrolling paradise. Pictured here is Marine 2 on a special detail during the annual offshore grand prix of the Englewood Beach Water Fest. (Photo: November 20, 2016)

The Second Amendment race boat makes an impression during the block party during the 2016 Englewood Beach Water Fest. Each boat gets tricked out with lights to go on display to kick of a weekend of OPA Racing in the Gulf of Mexico. The annual event serves as the World Championships for the Offshore Powerboat Championship. (Photo: November 18, 2016)

A side mount cannon is just on of the defense mechanisms for the SS American Victory, a World War II era merchant marine ship. The American Victory transported weapons, goods and sometimes troops for the US military during World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. To protect the freight, the American Victory was equipped with eight 20mm caliber guns, one 3-inch 50 caliber gun and one 5-inch 38 caliber gun. You can see some of the weaponry and tour the American Victory in port at the Port of Tampa. (Photo: May 30, 2020)

Relive the era of the dinosaur as the dinos come to life at ZooTampa. For a limited time the zoo is featuring a Dinos Alive, an interactive exhibit which brings these ancient giants back to life. From the peaceful plant eaters like the Stegosaurus to the intimidating meat eating lizard king, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, they all come back to life at the zoo. But these fossils won't be hanging around for ever, they will become extinct again in early August. (Photo: May 30, 2020)

A US Air Force C-32 flies into MacDill Air Force Base flying as a decoy for Vice President Pence's visit to Kennedy Space Center for the launch of the SpaceX manned rocket. It is common practice to fly an identical decoy to any of the VIP transports as a safety measure. While the real Air Force Two landed at Kennedy Space Center, the decoy headed over to MacDill. This serves a few purposes, primarily to provide a cover for the VP and also provides a back-up nearby should the primary suffer mechanical problems. (Photo: May 30, 2020)

Tampa, Florida: Nestled between the cruise ships in the Port of Tampa sits a historic vessel, the SS American Victory. One of only four remaining operational World War II vessels, the American Victory has seen action in three wars and while her naval service is over, she continues to serve by telling the story of the merchant marines The American Victory was a Victory class ship with a long history. She was built in 1945 at the California Shipbuilding Yard and was named after the American University in Washington DC. The 455 feet long, 10,750 ton ship took just 55 days to build. The shop served in World War II running military cargo into the Pacific theater. She also ferried equipment to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Between military engagements, the ship was in the reserve fleet and was even used at one point as an ice breaker in the Black Sea. The American Victory served the nation proudly from 1951 through 1969 before going into reserve storage in the James Rive...

Standing among mighty ships entering the Port of Tampa, this little lighthouse guides the massive vessels into the port. Located at the point of luxurious Harbour Island, this private lighthouse is on the property of the Baileys, a wealthy Tampa philanthropist family. It sits where Sparkman Channel and Seddon Channel meet on the way into Hillsborough Bay. While it may be on private property, the lighthouse can be seen on nearby Davis Island or onboard any vessel coming in or out of the port. (Photo: May 30, 2020)