The Wandering Disciple

  A white-tail deer shows off its ability to blend into it surroundings in a wildlife diorama at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, formerly the South Florida Museum.  The Pine Upland exhibit showcases plants and animals found in the ecosystem that is prevalent in South Florida.  Deer, bobcats, black bear and more can be found on display in the exhibit. The Bishop Museum in Bradenton, Florida is a museum dedicated to the history of Florida Gulf Coast.  It features exhibits that follow the timeline of the region from the Indians to the Spanish Conquistadors to modern day.  The exhibits cover history, nature and even space through the planetarium. It is even home to a manatee rehabilitation program.   Taken: February 14, 2010 at South Florida Museum (Bradenton, FL)

Spring is in the air as MLB spring training camps are in full swing throughout Florida and Arizona. While camp takes on a different look this season due to COVID-19 protocols, the goal of preparing for the upcoming season and run for the World Series is still the same. Workouts continue this week and game start next week. Once games begin, limited fans will be permitted within the stadium. Spring Training concludes at the end of March. (Photo: February 20, 2019)

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)

Nestled in downtown Bradenton is a historic baseball gem. The oldest spring training stadium, McKechnie Field has been hosting baseball since 1923. It is the oldest stadium in the league to host spring training and the third oldest stadium to host a major league team trailing behind Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. McKechnie Field, now known as LECOM Park is home to the Pittsburgh Pirates during spring training and they Florida State League Bradenton Marauders during the minor league season. (Photo: June 22, 2011)

Like a sentinel watching out for intruders, a Mockingbird sits atop a tree keep the echo of Mockingbirds safe from predators. The official state bird of Florida, the Northern Mockingbird can be found throughout Florida and are known for their highly vocal skills and their ability to mock other animals sounds. Mockingbirds live in social colonies called echos. This mockingbird was found along the hiking trail at Robinson Preserve, a nature park along the Manatee River in Bradenton. (Photo: April 14, 2011)

An American Alligator lurks in the lake at Lake Manatee State Park. If there is fresh water in the sunshine state, you can pretty much bet there is a gator close by. The key to living in harmony with these fearsome looking reptiles is to respect they home by keeping your distance from them and not harass them and never feed them. Gators are naturally afraid of people but when they start being fed, they lose that fear and begin to become aggressive. (Photo: February 19, 2011)

A Gumbo Limbo Tree grows wildly from the ground at the De Soto National Monument. Bursera Simaruba, the formal name for the Gumbo Limbo Tree is a tropical tree that is found in tropical regions of the Americas. But it also boasts a funny nickname, the tourist tree. It gets that name from the bark which is usually red and peeling much like a tourist not familiar with the tropical sun. (Photo: January 19, 2011)

Long before Publix or Wal-Mart or Winn-Dixie, people relied on community general stores like Wiggins Store depicted here at the Manatee Village Historical Park. Built by King Wiggins in 1903, Wiggins Store was a one-stop shop for anything you needed for your home. But it served more than just a store, the second floor was a rooming house as well. It was also the center of the entertainment in the growing community of Bradenton, people would socialize on the porches, play checker or listen to music on the phonograph. The building would begin to deteriorate over the years and was condemned in 1983. It was later purchased by the Historical Society and was refurbished, re-opening as part of the Manatee Village Historical Park in 1990. (Photo: January 8, 2011)

The Spanish influence on the west coast of Florida can be felt throughout the region including at the Spanish Plaza at the South Florida Museum.  Opened in 1980 the Spanish Plaza was designed with elements from the hometown of Spanish conquistador Herando de Soto.  De Soto was the first European settler of this region.  (Photo:  February 14, 2010)

Bradenton, Florida: Tucked away in a residential neighborhood in west Bradenton lies a hidden gem. A place where you can get away and enjoy bright colorful flowers and the tranquility they possess. At the Palma Sola Botanical Park, you can spend hours enjoying the smell of fresh flowers in the Florida sunshine. The ten acre park is where “Florida’s Beauty Remains Timeless”. Here you can find bright and colorful tropical plants, rare fruit trees, a succulent garden, a butterfly garden or just relax and watch the birds and wildlife around the lakes. If you want to try your hand at growing a garden of your own, the park features a nursery where you can purchase some of the plants found in the garden. And if yoga is your thing, well they have that too. The Palma Sola Botanical Park is located at 9800 17th Avenue NW in Bradenton, Florida. It is open daily from 8 to sunset however it is a popular place for weddings and private parties, so the schedule may vary. Admission to the...

Bradenton, Florida: LECOM Park had a certain major league feel as the mini-Pirates took the field with two of the big Pirates on Monday night as the Bradenton Marauders hosted the Lakeland Flying Tigers. The Marauders had both Sean Rodriguez playing shortstop and Clay Holmes on the mound as they were putting final touches on their rehab assignments trying to get back to the Pirates roster. Bradenton took the lead in the second inning. Bligh Madris singled on a line drive to left that was misplayed by the left fielder combined with a throwing error by the shortstop allowing Albert Baur to score and Madris to move to third, giving the Marauders a 1-0 lead. The Flying Tigers countered to tie the game in the fourth inning. Danny Pinero drove home Isaac Paredes with an RBI double to tie the game 1-1. The game remained tied until the top of the eighth when the Flying Tigers offense struck for three runs. Pinero reached on an error allowing Paredes to score to break the tie. The...

The beaver moon rises above Southwest Florida, illuminating the nighttime sky.  Native American tribes and early settlers used the first full moon of November as a benchmark to begin setting beaver traps so they would have enough fur to survive the harsh winters.  With the close proximity of the moon to the Earth's orbit, the 2017 beaver moon will be the second brightest moon of the year.  The brightest moon will come next month during the Full Cold Moon on December 4.  (Photo: November 3, 2017)

The Florida State League has a saying;  "Where the Stars of Tomorrow Play Today" which could be no farther than the truth.  At this stage of the minor league ladder, this is where they begin to separate the contenders for major league roster spots.  Pictured here is Phil Irwin while pitching for the Bradenton Marauders.  Irwin would eventually make his major league debut for the Pirates in April 2013.  (Photo: June 1, 2011)

A short climb up the 40-foot observation at the Robinson Preserve provides a bird's eye view of the Salt Marsh and nearby Tampa Bay.  (Photo: April 14, 2011)

Bradenton, Florida: Living in the United States, we really do not have a clue on what it is like to live below poverty. While there are plenty in this country that are struggling to make ends meet, it is nothing compared to living in poverty in countries like Haiti, Kenya and other poor countries. The Christian humanitarian group Compassion International seeks to brings this issue to light by touring the country with the Compassion Experience. The Compassion Experience made a stop at the First Baptist Church in Bradenton this weekend and we decided to visit on Saturday afternoon. Staged in a semi-truck trailer the experience follows the life of two young children growing up in poverty who overcome odds thanks to Compassion International. Upon check-in, you are issued an IPod and headphones to hear the story of each child. Each story takes your through several rooms that showcase a different place in each child’s life and how it shaped them to become a successful member of so...

Too many times, we take for granted at how well we have things living in the United States.  Today we took a trip to the Compassion Experience, a traveling exhibit that highlights living in poverty. The journey follows Jonathan and Kiwi and brings to life their struggles with poverty and their rise above it though the help of Compassion International. This moving exhibit makes you appreciate the life we live and makes you thankful for its blessings.  (Photo: January 7, 2017)

Florida is known for its sunshine, after all it is the Sunshine State.  So it shouldn't be any surprise that the state features some of the best sunrises and sunsets in the country.  Whether it be on the beach or in an interior state park like this, the sun paints a picture in the sky daily.  (Photo: February 19, 2011)

Along the banks of the Manatee River is where Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto made is initial landing in America during his exploration.  From 1539 until his death in 1542, de Soto explored the southern United States and westward through Louisiana/Texas.  (Photo: January 19, 2011)

Simple Christmas decorations adorn the Stephens House at the Manatee Historical Village.  Each year, the village takes on a festive appearance as they recreate Christmas as celebrated by the pioneer settlers.  (Photo: January 8, 2011)

A decorative piece of driftwood sits along a hiking trail at Emerson Point Preserve.  While the piece looks like it has been carved by an artist, it is a natural piece of wood created by Mother Nature.  (Photo: January 8, 2011)