The Wandering Disciple

Hop aboard the camo bus and take a ride through the wilderness at the Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours in rural Charlotte County. The 90-minute adventure takes you through a working cattle ranch where you will encounter unspoiled Florida wilderness and the wildlife that lives in it.  The McAdow family settled in the region in the late 1890's and settled the Crescent B Ranch. The 156,000 acre ranch was acquired by Edward Babcock in 1914 and became Babcock Ranch. Today, the working ranch has shrunk in size by development but the most sensitive lands have been preserved and are able to be visited as part of the eco-tours.  Taken: October 25, 2013 at Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours (Punta Gorda, FL)

Fireworks light up the sky to celebrate the nation's independence on the Fourth of July. Independence Day pays tribute to the nation gaining its freedom of British rule on July 4, 1776. Skies across the country light up with colorful fireworks displays to celebrate our freedom.  From our family to yours have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day!  Taken: October 13, 2017 at Punta Gorda Airport (Punta Gorda, FL)

The Florida sun makes for a great day to stroll the boardwalk at Alligator Creek Preserve. The preserve features plenty of wetlands which makes the boardwalk a handy way to get out and enjoy the trails.  Located where the saltwater marsh and freshwater marsh meet, the Alligator Creek Preserve features two trails encompassing almost three miles of hiking opportunity. The park is part of the Charlotte Harbor State Park and is a partnership between the Florida State Parks and the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center.  Taken: October 1, 2011 at Alligator Creek Preserve (Punta Gorda, FL)

The memorial car sits outside the headquarters of the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office paying tribute to Deputy Christopher Taylor. Deputy Taylor lost his life Tuesday night after being struck by a drunk driver while performing a traffic stop along I-75.  The memorial car is the Charlotte County Sheriff's memorial to fallen deputies. Formerly the patrol car of fallen deputy Michael Wilson, the car now serves to pay tribute to those who lost their lives protecting Charlotte County. Taken: November 25, 2022 (Punta Gorda, FL)

A Snowy Egret sits atop a fence at the Peace River Wildlife Center while getting healthy under the staff's medical care. With a diverse collection of animals in the state and a growing population, injuries are certain as the human impact takes a toll on native wildlife.  To care for sick or injured native wildlife, there is a network of volunteers and wildlife centers like the Peace River Wildlife Center here in Punta Gorda. They take sick and injured animals and nurse them back to health with a goal of returning them to the wild. You can see their work firsthand at their facility at Ponce De Leon Park in Punta Gorda.  Taken: March 22, 2009 at Peace River Wildlife Center (Punta Gorda, FL)

Today we celebrate Veterans Day and give a giant thanks to the brave men and woman who served our nation's armed forces and protected us with a blanket of freedom. The federal holiday established to honor our the veterans, falls on November 11 and marks the Armistice Day that ended World War I. To honor our Vets, today's Photo of the Day features the US Air Force's Heritage Flight, the demo unit of the air force designated to honor our nation's armed forces and veterans. (Photo: October 17, 2021)

As the air traffic increases at the Punta Gorda Airport, commercial airliner delays during the Florida International Air Show have become a part of the shows. For the past few years, the show featured arrivals and departures carefully choreographed between the aerobatic routines. This year’s show featured the debut of a new airline to the FIAS, Sun Country Airlines. Sun Country recently began serving Punta Gorda with flights to Minneapolis-St Paul. With the addition of Sun County, PGD now provides service to over fifty destinations. (Taken: October 15, 2021)

While the aerial demonstrations may highlight any air show, the static display on the ground has just as many cool things to see. Along the static line you will find a variety of aircraft ranging from home-built aircraft to massive military transport aircraft. Here is a radial engine from the PT-17 Stearman, a bi-plane trainer used by the military for pilot training in the 1930’s and 40’s. (Photo: October 17, 2021)

From the World War II P-51 Mustang to the modern day fighter F-16 Fighting Falcon, the US Air Force Heritage Flight are a living memorial to the brave airmen that served the US Air Force. Since 1997, the heritage flight has performed hundreds of flights at air shows, open houses and sporting event. Pairing warbirds like the A-1 Skyraider, P-38 Lightning, P-40 Warhawk, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-51 Mustang, F-86 Sabre along side the modern era fighters like the A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II in a side by side demonstration of American air superiority. (Photo: October 17, 2021)

The F-16 of the Viper Demo Team streaks across the sky during the Florida International Air Show. The F-16 is a multi-role fighter capable of air to ground and air to air combat missions. For over 30 years, the aircraft has been an integral part of the US Air Force’s arsenal in missions across the globe. The F-16 Viper Demo is based out of Shaw Air Force Base and flies a single ship demonstration and also participates in the US Air Force’s Heritage Flight. (Photo: October 17, 2021)

Like most warbirds, the T-28 Trojan flown by Mick Thorstenson has a long history. Built for the US Air Force in 1951 as a pilot trainer, this aircraft also saw service with the French Air Force and Haitian Air Force. After retirement, it entered civilian status and began its life on the air show circuit following a extensive restoration. Today the aircraft features the paint scheme of the Argentine Naval Forces following a several year stint in South America. (Photo: October 15, 2021)

Slow but deadly, that is the motto of the SBD Dauntless built by Douglas Aircraft. A workhorse of World War II, the Dauntless is the only US combat aircraft to see service from the start until finish of the war. It was also one of the most destructive weapons in the Navy, sinking 300,000 tons of the Japanese fleet including 18 warships and five carriers. The SBD performing here during the Florida International Air Show is the Lady in Blue from the Commemorative Air Force. Taken: October 15, 2021 at Punta Gorda Airport (Punta Gorda, FL) Photo of the Day: October 24, 2021

For decades, Patty Wagstaff has been dazzling spectators with her aerobatic performance that can only be described as an aerial ballet. The queen of the skies has been performing in air shows since the late 1970’s and her flawless display has rewarded her with countless awards and hall of fame inductions. Patty performs in the Extra 300 but is also rated in the TBM Avenger, T-28 Trojan and L-39 Albatros. (Photo: October 15, 2021)

Whether is setting speed records in Reno or performing high G aerobatics above the flightline, Scott Farnsworth is making things happen behind the stick of his L-39 Albatros. The L-39 is a Czechoslovakia built jet trainer capable of speeds close to 500 miles per hour. When Scott isn’t pushing his L-39 to the limits, he can be found as a captain onboard a JetBlue Airbus A321. (Photo: October 15, 2021)

Did you know that Goodyear makes more than tires? Goodyear had an aviation division and was responsible for helping the war effort by making warbirds like the legendary Corsair. The Goodyear Corsair’s are identified with an FG designation instead of the more widely known F4U. While this particular airframe never saw combat duty, today it is preserved by the Commemorative Air Force and travels the country to provide a flying history of military aviation. (Photo: October 15, 2021)

Yep, you are seeing it right. That is a Bonanza flying upside down. Welcome to the world of Jim Peitz and his acrobatic Bonanza. The Bonanza is known as the station wagon of the skies, a dependable aircraft to travel cross country with the family. But this Bonanza is an aerobatic Bonanza, one of just a handful made and Jim travels the country showing just how verstaitle this plane can be going upside down and much more in his high energy performance. (Photo: October 15, 2021)

After spending twenty years in the kitchen, Clemens Kuhlig decided to turn his passion of aviation into a aerobatic career. Inspired by the Red Devils performance when he was eight, Kuhlig has his glider license before his driver’s license. It took three years to build his Pitts S1S in his garage and in February 2013 it was airborne and the aerial acrobatic routine would later follow. Today Chef Pitts travels the air show circuit demonstrating his routine that was inspired by legends of the industry. (Photo: October 15, 2021)

When it comes to people lost at sea, time is of the essence. So the US Coast Guard relies on a vast collection of air assets to complete their lifesaving mission. One of these aerial assets, the MH-65 was on display at the Florida International Air Show at the Punta Gorda Airport. The Coast Guard operates 102 Dolphins spread throughout 17 bases across the country. This particular aircraft was from the Air Station Miami. Taken: October 17, 2021 at Punta Gorda Airport (Punta Gorda, FL) Photo of the Day: October 18, 2021

A C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Charleston performs a flight demonstration during the Florida International Air Show. Nicknamed the Moose due to a sound it makes while refueling, the C-17 is a heavy lifter for the United States Air Force. Assigned to Air Mobility Command, the C-17 provides airlift service across the globe in support of the nation’s armed service’s mission. Most recently, the C-17 was directly involved with the massive evacuation of refugees from Afghanistan. This aircraft is from the C-17 East Coast Demo Team, one of two demo teams that showcase the moose. (Photo: October 15, 2021))

The US Special Operations Command Para-Commandos bring the American Flag into show center to kick off the 2021 Florida International Air Show at the Punta Gorda Airport. The USOCOM Para-Commandos are an elite para-commando unit assigned to Special Operations Command and is comprised active duty special operators from Army Special Forces, Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, Air Force Combat Controllers and Marine Raiders. The team can be watched during the 2021 Florida International Air Show taking place Saturday and Sunday at the Punta Gorda Airport.(Photo: October 15, 2021)