The Wandering Disciple

After sixteen years, Lord Stanley's Cup has returned to Tampa Bay as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Dallas Stars to bring the championship back to Tampa Bay.  In a season shortened by COVID-19, the 2020 season took on a new look as all games were played within a safety bubble with no fans in attendance.  But the Lightning brought the Thunder of the fans into Canada and used that momentum to lift them to their second Stanley Cup in franchise history.  (Photo: November 2, 2016)

The queen of the skies, the iconic Boeing 747 is about to arrive at Southwest Florida International under a bright Florida sunshine. The industries first jumbo jet, the 747 took its first flight in 1969.  Since then the 747 has been a workhorse of the sky serving both the commercial and cargo industries as well as being the air frame for Air Force One, the official aircraft of the United States President.  This 747 is on a cargo mission flying for Western Global Airlines.  (Photo: September 23, 2020)

Predators of the deep patrol the reefs under Manta at Sea World Orlando.  This immersive aquarium winds through the ride queue of Manta and lets riders go deep with sharks and giant rays that live in the oceans of the world.  If you are not into thrills of coasters, you can still see these creatures up close in the aquarium exhibit just adjacent to the ride entrance.  (Photo: September 18, 2020)

Lakewood Ranch, Florida: Following the cancellation of the 16u class during this weekend's USSSA tournament, the Florida High Heat and Dioner Navarro Academy made the most of the weekend by hooking up for a pair of games on Saturday afternoon at Lakewood Ranch Park.  Despite both teams putting up a good effort, DNA swept the doubleheader. The first game was a tight affair with DNA grabbing a 4-2 win.  The second game saw a little more scoring with DNA winning 9-5.  The wins put DNA 2-3-1 on the Fall season. The doubleheader scrimmage was the first game action of the year of Florida High Heat. Click on the photo above to view the Florida High Heat/Dioner Navarro photo gallery .

For over 50 years, this brownstone at 123 Sesame Street has been teaching children about number, letters, colors, manners and much more.  The popular PBS children series launched in 1969 features cultural icons like Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Bert and Ernie, Elmo and friends.  While you can still catch episodes of the show on tv, Sea World Orlando has brought Sesame Street to life in their Central Florida theme park.  All of the popular places and famous characters can be seen in the new Sesame Street Land which opened at Sea World Orlando last year.  (Photo: September 18, 2020)

A flock of American birds can be seen filling up the ramp of Concourse D at Southwest Florida International Airport.  American Airlines is the third busiest airline at RSW and connects passengers with destinations from Texas to New York.  American is responsible for almost 15% of commercial traffic at RSW.  American Airlines operates out of Concourse D, sharing the concourse with JetBlue and Spirit Airlines. (Photo: September 14, 2020)

  An Emperor Penguin chick shows off its fluffy new coat in the penguin colony at Busch Gardens Sea World.  When a penguin is hatched, many of them are born without feathers.  In the coming weeks they begin to grow fluffy feathers also called down.  The penguins will have this down for roughly their first year of life.  During this time, the feathers are not waterproof so the penguins do not swim.  After they reach about a year of age, they get their adult plumage which consists of the slick waterproof feathers we symbolize with penguins.  (Photo: September 18, 2020)

An Antarctic expedition in the heart of Central Florida?  Sounds about right if you are at the Sea World Orlando resort.  Sea World's Antarctica is home to the Empire of the Penguin.   Half ride, half penguin exhibit and full fun, the Empire of the Penguin allows you to follow the follies of a young penguin named Puck and then watch a large colony of penguins in their icy habitat at the end of the ride.  Not a bad deal for never leaving the warmth of the Sunshine State.  (Photo: September 18, 2020)

When you step onto Disney property, you expect everything to be themed perfectly and over the top.  Well their miniature golf courses follow that trend.  Here is the Fantasia Gardens course, an 18-hole mini golf experience themed around Disney's Fantasia.  The Gardens course along with the Fairways course are the two complete 18-hole courses that make up Disney's Fantasia Gardens located near the Swan and Dolphin Hotel in the Epcot region of Walt Disney World.  (Photo: September 17, 2020)

 A bright and colorful Rainbow Lorikeet poses for the camera in the Lory Landing at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.  Identified by its bright rainbow colors, this colorful parrot is native to Australia.  There are six subspecies of the Rainbow Lorikeet and they are the most viewed bird in Australia.  Because of their calm demeanor, they are a popular interactive exhibit at zoos worldwide like the Lory Landing here at Busch Gardens where you can enter the aviary and feed these colorful birds and its cousins.  (Photo: September 17, 2020)

  A flock of Caribbean Flamingos march in unison at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.  The bright pink tropical birds strut together with the choreography of a marching band as they show of to park guests.  This dance is actual a mating ritual used by the flamingos to attract a mate. (Photo: September 17, 2020)

Busch Gardens cheetah cubs are at it again, running and playing across their home at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.  The duo were taking in by the care team at Busch Gardens from another facility because their mother could not care from them.  Today these growing cheetahs are doing well and showcasing their skills at Cheetah Run, the immersive habitat at Busch Gardens.  (Photo: September 17, 2020)

Orlando, Florida:  For over fifty years the loveable Big Bird and all his friends have been entertaining kids through the entertaining children's television show Sesame Street. This playful world has come to life at Sesame Street Land at Sea World Orlando. Opened in March 2019, Sesame Street Land took over the area that was once known as Shamu's Happy Harbor.  It added new life to the children's area of the park and brought the TV show to life for the kids to enjoy. Sesame Street Land has a few themed rides for the younger members of the family.  They include Super Grover's Box Car Derby, Elmo's Choo-Choo Train, Big Bird's Twirl n Whirl Abby's Flower Tower, Cookie Drop Slimey's Slider, Rubber Duckie Water Works and much more Sesame Street inspired fun.  You can even meet your favorite Sesame Street characters or enjoy the interactive play areas found throughout the Sesame Street Land. If you are looking for a bite to eat, go no further than the Eats on ...

 Follow me under the sea for day two of our Floridian adventure with a stop at Sea World Orlando.  Be sure to check back later for photos from today's adventure with the aquatic animal at Sea World.  (Photo: September 7, 2019)

Orlando, Florida:  The second day of the Busch Gardens/Sea World sets our sights on Sea World Orlando.  Our season passes were set to expire soon so we figured to get another trip to Sea World before they expire.   Our morning plans had to be modified thanks to the unauthorized bait and switch by our hotel.  We originally booked the Holiday Inn Express at Sea World due to their hot breakfast, but they moved us to the Towneplace Suites by Marriott which breakfast consisted of an apple, banana nut muffin and a bottle of water.  It would be hard to tackle a day at the park without a good breakfast so we set out to Orlando for breakfast.  We had a hard time finding something initially because so many places were closed due to COVID.  So rather than keep looking online, we decided to hit the road and try and find something. Following our amazing breakfast at Keke’s Breakfast Cafe in Sarasota yesterday, we hit up the Keke’s in Orlando.  There was ...

Tampa, Florida:  In early June, Busch Gardens Tampa reopened to the public after being closed for several months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and executive orders from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.  Reopening during a pandemic comes with risks and requirements but Busch Gardens is trying its best to keep park goers safe during the pandemic. It starts prior to your visit.  To limit the number of people in the park, all park guests are required to have a reservation.  The reservations are capped when the park reaches the capacity requirements of local regulations. When you arrive at the park, you are required to have a wellness check.  Located inside an air conditioned tent before the entrance, guests will have a temperature screening to make sure you do not have a fever in excess of 100.4 degrees and that you have not tested positive or come in contact with a positive COVID patient nor have any of the symptoms of COVID-19.   All guests are also requ...

Raise you're hand if you are ready for an adventure.  Today we embark on day one of a two day Floridian adventure staycation featuring a trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida.  Be sure to check back in the days to come for photos from the trip.  (Photo: October 2, 2019)

  A trio of Nutria huddle together at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans.  A cross between a rat and a beaver, the Nutria is a semi-aquatic rodent found in the swamps and bayous of Louisiana.  An adult Nutria can reach up to 20 pounds but some have been found in excess of 30 pounds.  The Nutria found here at the Audubon Zoo are part of the Louisiana Swamp exhibit, a sprawling exhibit featuring native wildlife from Louisiana.  (Photo: November 22, 2017)

  A P-51 Mustang flies high over the World War II Museum in New Orleans.  The P-51 was a workhorse of the US Army Air Force during World War II.  Manufactured by North American Aviation, the P-51 was the primary choice to provide escorts for the heavier and slower bombers during bombing campaigns.  The aircraft saw war time service again during the Korean War before being retired by the Air Force in 1957.  Today the P-51 lives on in museums like the World War II Museum and in the civilian market with many Mustangs still air worthy and flying in air shows around the country.  (Photo: November 22, 2017)

If you look closely at coins minted in the United States, there is a little letter code on the face of the coin that will tell you where it was made.  The most commonly found codes are D for Denver and P for Philadelphia.  But in late 1800's there was a letter O in circulation and that was for the New Orleans Mint.  Located in the French Quarter presses like the one pictured here turned out a steady supply of coins all pressed with the letter O.  The New Orleans Mint had two operational periods, one from 1836 to 1861 and the other from 1879 to 1909.  During this time, the mint produced over 427 million gold and silver coins with a face value of over $307 million US Dollars.  While mint is no longer in operation, you can still visit it today and see some of the equipment used to make coins in the mint museum.  The building also houses the New Orleans Jazz Museum and Louisiana Historical Center.  (Photo: November 21, 2017)

The table has been set and its time for formal dinner circa 1850's in the French Quarter of New Orleans.  Furnished to represent life in 19th century New Orleans, the 1850 House transports visitors back in time.  The historic antebellum rowhouse on the edge of Jackson Square features a unit decorated with fine New Orleans silver, Old Paris porcelain, a six piece bedroom suite and paintings from famous French artists that moved to New Orleans.  Operated by the Louisiana State Museum system, the 1850 House depicts life for some of the immigrants to immigrated to New Orleans seeking life in the United States.  (Photo: November 21, 2017)

 When people think of New Orleans, one of the first things that come to mind is Mardi Gras and carnival season in the big easy.  Carnival typically begins on the Epiphany and runs through Fat Tuesday.  During this time, krewes like the Krewe of Endymion and Krew of Bacchus throw elaborate parades nightly filled with brightly colored costumes and decorated floats through the streets of downtown.   The history of Mardi Gras can be seen in an exhibit at the Presbytere Museum in Jackson Square.  This historic building hosts two permanent exhibits that tell the story of New Orleans.  A story of celebration in the exhibit "Mardi Gras: It's Carnival Time in Louisiana" and a story of resilience in the exhibit "Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond".  (Photo: November 21, 2017)

  Much of the buildings of New Orleans and particularly Jackson Square have quite the history.  The Cabildo is no different. The current Cabildo was built in 1795 after the original one was burned down during the Great New Orleans Fire.  It was originally built to house the Spanish seat of government and the Spaniards ruled from here and later upon transfer to the city of New Orleans, the city council operated from this historic structure.  The Cabildo also served as the Louisiana Supreme Court, a temporary headquarters for the Louisiana State Police and today serves as part of the Louisiana State Museum system. Over its 200 plus year history, the Cabildo was site to many historic moments including the signing of the Louisiana Purchase and the hearing of the landmark Plessy vs Ferguson racial segregation case.  Today you can learn about the history of this building and the region at the museum that is housed here.  (Photo: November 21, 2017)

A line of artillery stands in defense of New Orleans and the Mississippi River at the Chalmette Battlefield.  The Battle of New Orleans was fought on these hallowed grounds during the War of 1812.  One of the biggest battles of the war, the Battle of New Orleans could have been avoided altogether had news of the treaty reaches US and UK forces before the battle ensued.  The Treaty of Ghent which offered peace between the United Kingdom and the United States was signed on  December 24, 1814.  But news of that treaty did not reach General Andrew Jackson or Sir Edward Pakenham before they led they troops into battle on January 8, 1815. The battle which saw the American victorious was not without a price as 62 American and 2,034 British forces were killed, wounded or captured in this skirmish.  Today the sacrifices made during the battle are memorialized at the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery.  (Photo: November 20, 2017)  

A large container ship sails the Mighty Mississippi in New Orleans.  The second longest river in the North America. the Mississippi River runs 2,300 miles from its source at Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.  Along the way the river passes through some of the biggest cities in the Midwest including Minneapolis, St Louis, Memphis and New Orleans.  (Photo: November 20, 2017)

An Atlantic Sea Nettle swims through a reef tank at the Aquarium of the Americas.  The Atlantic Sea Nettle is a jellyfish found along the Atlantic coast of the United States.  It is a protected by tentacles containing thousands of cnidocytes that deliver a toxic venom to its prey.  The Atlantic Sea Nettle defense mechanism limits its predators to mainly sea turtles and other jellyfish.  The jellyfish is one of the 500 plus species on display at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas located along the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans.  (Photo: November 20. 2017)

Usually boasting a crimson red color, this crayfish is a colorful blue. When researchers at the Northwestern State University Aquaculture Research Center discovered this rare trait of the Red Swamp Crawfish, they donated them to the Audubon Insectarium. By the time this batch of crayfish shed its skin, the entire second skin was completely blue and this phenomena has researchers perplexed.  You can take a look at these rare color changing crayfish along with other rare and interesting insects from around the world at the Audubon Insectarium in downtown New Orleans.  (Photo: November 20, 2017)

"Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?" "Who dat" The chant from the Who Dat Nation rings loud and proud throughout the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.  The Superdome was opened in 1975 and is the home of the New Orleans Saints.  In addition to hosting the Saints home games, the Superdome is also home to the annual NCAA Sugar Bowl and New Orleans Bow as well as the rivalry Bayou Classic between Grambling and Southern Universities.  The stadium also host high school games, concerts and other special events.  (Photo: November 21, 2017)

High atop the Drury Inn and Suites in downtown New Orleans is a rooftop oasis.  Because of limited land on ground levels in big cities, hotels like this choose to turn their rooftops into pool decks, bars/lounges and many other amenities for their visitors.  Having the pool on the roof allows you to enjoy a relaxing dip in the water under the backdrop of the Big Easy from high above the city streets. (Photo: November 23, 2017)

Friends, family and firefighters from across the state of Florida paid tribute to Lieutenant Marc Weiss.  Weiss a career firefighter with the Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District in Southwest Florida. Lt Weiss lost his battle with pancreatic cancer and was honored with a fire department procession through Fort Myers and a ceremony at Hertz Arena.  Rest easy LT, thank you for your service. (Photo: September 3, 2020)

Fort Myers, Florida: This week saw limited spotting opportunities during breaks from work. But during the time I did get to spot during break, Airbus was the theme of the airfield. This is the first time I can remember that I had a full week of photographs from just one manufacturer.  Here is a look at what I saw this week:  N107US – Airbus A320 (American Airlines)  N117UW – Airbus A320 (American Airlines)  N384DN – Airbus A321 (Delta Air Lines)  N393DN – Airbus A321 (Delta Air Lines)  N412UA – Airbus A320 (United Airlines)  Click on the photo above to view these and the entire S outhwest Florida International Airport photo gallery .

 Flying high above the clouds, this Southwest Airlines flight crosses the Gulf of Mexico on a sunrise flight from Tampa to New Orleans.  Southwest Airlines is the busiest carrier to Tampa International Airport, operating just over 30% of the flights through TPA.  Southwest connects Tampa to over forty domestic destinations.  (Photo: November 20, 2007)

Fort Myers, Florida: This week I only spent a brief time at Page Field and the activity was quite limited while I was out there. Here is a look at what I saw while at Page Field:  N894C – Cessna Citation II  N990LS – Beechcraft King Air 90  N6059R – Cessna Skyhawk  Click on the photo above to view these and the entire gallery of photos from the Page Field photo gallery .

 Woah Mama! catches some air during the 2017 OPA World Championships at Englewood Beach.  The crew from Woah Mama dominated the race weekend enroute to winning the World Championship for the Offshore Powerboat Association.  Each year, the OPA race teams descend on Englewood for their final race of the season in November.  At this point, the World Championship is still scheduled for November 19-22, 2020.  (Photo: November 19, 2017)

Boats line the docks of the St Petersburg Marina in downtown.  Surrounded by water, boating and water sports are a popular recreation in this city by the bay.  The yacht basin downtown is just one of the many marinas located in the city where you can embark on your fun day on the water.  (Photo: October 30, 2018)