The Wandering Disciple

When much of the country is void of color thanks to cold weather, there are pops of color thanks to wildflowers that span the fields of the Sunshine State. The winter blooms like this Sunshine Mimosa found at Lemon Bay Park.  Lemon Bay Park is a 210-acre nature park located along the shores of Lemon Bay. It features diverse ecosystems like pine flatwoods, scrub and mangrove forests. There is a system of trails that help you travel though the park to see the plants and animals that live within the park.  Taken: January 3, 2015 at Lemon Bay Park (Englewood, FL)

A pair of owlets look out over the nest as mom and dad watch from a nearby tree. This pair of Great Horned Owl were born in 2013 and found in a nest along the nature trail at Stump Pass Beach State Park in Englewood. They will remain in the nest with mom and dad until mid-winter when they will seek independence.  Stump Pass Beach State Park is located at the southern tip of Manasota Key in Englewood. The mile long pristine beach park preserves the native coastline that was present before coastal development. As a result of the preservation, wildlife like these owls can be seem along the beach and the associated woods.  Taken: March 5, 2013 at Stump Pass Beach State Park (Englewood, FL)

A pair of brown pelicans buzz the coast at Manasota Beach, preparing to dive down and pick up dinner from the abundant waters of the Gulf of Mexico. People aren't the only people who enjoy fishing in the Gulf, fishing birds like these pelicans can be seen regularly enjoying their catch along the surf.  Manasota Beach is a public beach on the northern end of Manasota Key in Englewood. Located along Florida's Gulf Coast, this small beach lacks the commercial development of other beaches making it a great place to watch wildlife while enjoying a day at the beach.  Taken: March 10, 2013 at Manasota Beach (Englewood, FL)

As you walk through this wooded trail at Indian Mound Park, you are walking through history. Beneath your feet is the Paulsen Point Midden which contains remnants of the Manasota Culture, native American inhabitants which lived along Lemon Bay from 1000 BC through 900 AD.  A midden is similar to a modern day landfill. It provides a look into life of the culture by preserving tools, pottery and animal bones helping archeologists learn more about life during the period.  The Paulsen Point Midden is preserved as part of Indian Mound Park in Englewood, Florida. The bayfront park provides a hiking trail through the midden and interpretive signs that tell the story of the Manasota Culture.  Taken: December 30, 2012 at Indian Mound Park (Englewood, FL)

A bald eagle scans the horizon, looking for predators and protecting the nest and egg from invaders. Eagles make the largest nest of all bird species. Once built, the nest will be reused each year by the same nesting pair of eagles.  This nest was found along the Eagle Trail at Cedar Point Environmental Park in Englewood, Florida. The park preserves 115 acres along Lemon Bay. Trails traverse through pine flatwood, scrubs, mangroves and salt marshes packed with native wildlife.  Taken: December 30, 2012 at Cedar Point Environmental Park (Englewood, FL)  UPDATE: After posting this photo from 2012, a member of the park reached out and advised that the eagle nest was damaged during Hurricane Ian. The eagles rebuilt their nest on private property near the park and they can still be seen flying over the park.

The further you travel down the beach at Stump Pass State Park, the further away from civilization you get. This unspoiled stretch of beach along the Gulf of Mexico is a reminder of what coastal Florida looked long before the condos and hotels that dot the coast now. In fact, if you are willing to walk a little further you might even get a stretch of the beach all to yourself.  Stump Pass State Park is located on the southern tip of Manasota Key in Englewood. It features a 1.3 mile hiking trail that crosses through the coastal habitat where you can see the owls, gopher tortoises and shore birds that call the unspoiled beach home. If you decide to visit the park, be sure to get there early as the small parking lot tends to fill up fast.  Taken: August 10, 2010 at Stump Pass Beach State Park (Englewood, FL)

Englewood, Florida:   It may be part Mexican, part American and part Italian but don't let that fool you, this place is totally delicious.  Before our trip up to the zoo in Tampa, we stopped by Maria Restaurant in Englewood for breakfast to fuel the journey. Located in the heart of Englewood along State Road 776, Maria Restaurant is a local family run restaurant that has a big menu.  With a menu that spans three ethnic palettes, there is something for everyone on the menu.  From omelets and biscuits and gravy for breakfast to tacos and pasta for lunch, a stop here will fill your stomach with delicious food at a great price.  Despite being just a short trip from the house, this was our first visit.  The biscuits and gravy were flavorful and the biscuits just melted in your mouth.  My wife had the omelet in which was packed with toppings and left you leaving with a full stomach.  We will be back again and I highly recommend giving them a try if you ...

A tractor from the Florida Forest Service cuts a fire line around a wildfire in Englewood.  The Florida Forest Service is the front line for wildfires in the state of Florida.  They have a fleet of tractors, brush trucks and air resources to help gain an upper hand on wildfires. This tractor was working a fire within the Myakka State Forest back on April 23 & 24.  A ten acre fire started in a residential neighborhood before jumping a road and entering the state forest where it grew to 150 acres.  Quick work by the Forest Service, Englewood Fire Department and Charlotte County Fire & EMS helped contain the fire without any structures lost. Taken: April 24, 2022 at Myakka State Forest (Englewood, FL)

The bright yellow canary of the United States Navy N2S-2 Kaydet gets its power from the iconic radial engine. Developed in 1934, the Continental R-670 is a seven cylinder radial aircraft engine that was the power plant of early aircraft like the Boeing biplanes. The engine produced 210-240 horsepower and was the primary aircraft engines in use during the 1930's and 1940's.  You can still see them in use as several of the PT-17's and N2S-2's are still airworthy and on the air show circuit.  (Photo: March 2, 2019)

  Living in a sparsely developed part of town can have its benefits, especially when it comes to wildlife.  Last night while putting seed in the bird feeders, we got company from a bobcat at it was out on its evening stroll.  We have heard from neighbors for a while there is a family of them living in the brush behind us but last night it finally made an appearance while we were outside.  (Photo: February 17, 2021)

  A juvenile bald eagle takes flight from a tree at Lemon Bay Park.  The symbol of our nation is known by its iconic white head and tail, however they are not born with that.  Young eagles are brown and the white gradually mixes in as the eagle matures.  It isn't until about five years old that the eagle will have that iconic white head.  (Photo: January 9, 2019)

 A brown pelican flies high over the beach at Stump Pass Beach State Park.  Operated by the Florida State Park service, Stump Pass Beach State Park is a popular place to bird watch where you can see shorebirds and birds of prey in plenty.  As a result, the park is listed on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, a list of spots across the state that are prime areas to enjoy wildlife.  (Photo: November 17, 2018)

 A firefighter from the Englewood Fire Department demonstrates a high angle rescue during their open house event in 2018.  Firefighters possess a vast skill set that help them protect the citizens from their district.  At the sound of the alarm, firefighters can do anything from provide medical care, stop a gas leak, rescue a victim from the water, put out a house fire and so much more.  To stay proficient in these skills, they train regularly at their training center seen here during this public performance.  (Photo: October 6, 2018) 

The other day I had mentioned the caterpillars on our milkweed in the garden.  The transformation of egg to Monarch continues and today we had two shiny new chrysalis on the plants.  We had to go out and get a few more milkweed plants to sustain the feeding frenzy of the growing caterpillars and were shocked to see them already building chrysalis on the new plants.  Next step is new Monarch butterflies for the garden.  (Photo: November 1, 2020) 

The John F Kennedy Tea Rose is a regal rose fitting of the beloved president. Featuring a double bloom and a fruity fragrance, the rose brings the feeling of hope and peace to any garden. The John F Kennedy Rose was introduced in 1965 by German born Eugene Boerner who crossed a White Queen rose and an unknown seedling to create the now popular JFK Rose. (Photo: October 30, 2020)

  A monarch caterpillar chomps on the leaves of a milkweed plant as part of the cycle from egg to butterfly.  The life cycle of a monarch butterfly features four stages.  The first stage is the egg stage in which an adult butterfly lays eggs on a milkweed plant.  Four days after the eggs are laid, they hatch and begin stage two, the larva stage.  During this stage the colorful caterpillar seen here eats the host plant and grows for about two weeks before transitioning into stage three.  Stage three is the pupa or chrysalis stage and that is where the magic happens.  The caterpillar surrounds itself in a silky chrysalis and behind the veil, a complete metamorphism from caterpillar begins.  In about ten days, the beautiful monarch butterfly emerges and completes the cycle.  (Photo: October 30, 2020)

The skies over Florida produces some of the most stunning sunsets in the world.  This is just one of the beautiful skies as the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico at Manasota Beach on a December evening.  No too sunsets are alike and just because it may be cloudy, doesn't mean the sky with disappoint.  (Photo: December 17, 2018)

 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)

Lifeguards at Manasota Beach fly the red flag over their lifeguard stand due to dangerous water conditions at the beach.  The lifeguards use a flag system to report beach conditions at protected beaches.  Next time you are out at a beach with lifeguards, check the stand for the beach conditions before hitting the water. Green means normal, yellow means use caution, red means dangerous water conditions, double red flags mean the beach is closed to swimming and a purple flag mean dangerous marine life present.  But keep in mind, the flag is only displayed when the lifeguard stand is staffed.  (Photo: August 26, 2017)

A popular sight on the NASCAR circuit on the 80's and early 90's, the Bandit was one of the more recognizable teams on the track.  Driven by legendary driver Harry Gant, saw victory lane eighteen times in the Winston Cup series.  Handsome Harry enjoyed a 22 year career Hall of Fame career with many accolades along the way including an IROC Championship in 1985, driver of the year and a 4-race winning streak in 1991.  Gant retired  from NASCAR in 1994. This car now belongs to Nicodemus Racing, a non-profit that provides racing experiences for vets. (Photo: July 4, 2017)