The Wandering Disciple

False Killer Whales, despite their misleading name, are oceanic dolphins (Delphinidae), making them close relatives of the bottlenose dolphin and the orca. These sleek, dark-colored marine mammals are found globally in warm-temperate and tropical seas, typically favoring deep oceanic waters.  As apex predators and obligate carnivores, they have a varied diet, consuming large fish and squid. They are also known to prey on other dolphins and small whales, demonstrating their predatory skill. Physically, they have a robust, conical body, a distinctively rounded head, and a relatively small, curved dorsal fin situated centrally on their back.  False Killer Whales are highly social and form complex, stable social structures. While pods of over 50 are common, massive "superpods" of hundreds or even over a thousand animals have been documented in the open ocean. This intense sociability often results in interspecies interactions; they are frequently observed with other dolphin spec...

The majestic Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin gracefully navigates its specially designed habitat at SeaWorld Orlando. These highly intelligent marine mammals are renowned for their incredible speed and agility in the water, a crucial trait that enables them to effectively hunt and capture their primary food source: fish. Visitors to SeaWorld Orlando have the unique opportunity to observe these fascinating creatures up close, learning about their complex social structures, unique communication methods, and conservation needs. Bottlenose Dolphins are not only powerful swimmers but also possess remarkable acrobatic abilities, often seen leaping clear of the water's surface in a breathtaking display of natural athleticism.  You can see more photos from Sea World here .  Taken: May 21, 2006 at Sea World Orlando (Orlando, FL)

  At SeaWorld Orlando's Pacific Point Preserve, visitors can have an interactive, up-close experience with marine animals, including a clever California Sea Lion. This energetic animal, with its sleek, dark brown coat, often positions itself near the habitat's edge. In a familiar spectacle, the sea lion engages with people by using characteristic vocalizations, distinctive head tilts, and a deliberate flipper extension to solicit fish. This behavior highlights the species' intelligence and comfort interacting with park guests, as feeding the sea lions is one of the many interactive experiences available. Taken: August 28, 2004 at Sea World Orlando (Orlando, FL)

As you board your boat, Allura leads you on a quiet journey through the sunken city of Atlantis. On your journey she keeps tempting you to go further, but as you near the top of the city you realize your mermaid is actually a siren and reveals her true form as Medusa before sending you on a free fall down a 60 foot drop into a pool below.  Journey to Atlantis opened in 1998 at Sea World Orlando. The hybrid flume ride/roller coaster features a 60 foot drop followed by a wild coaster ride that takes you back to the village.  Taken: July 5, 2008 at Sea World Orlando (Orlando, FL)

While this shark may look intimidating, it is actual harmless to humans. Found along the Pacific coast of the US and Mexico, the leopard shark can be found in large schools feeding on small marine life like clams, crabs and shrimp in tidal basins. Because of their non-aggressive qualities, the leopard shark is a popular aquarium shark and does well in captivity. This shark is in the Manta exhibit at Sea World Orlando. (Photo: September 18, 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)

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)

  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)

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 ...

A Sea World trainer dances in the water with a dolphin during a performance of Dolphin Days at Sea World Orlando. The exciting show features the oceans most playful resident, the bottlenose dolphin. In this exciting show, the dolphins show how fast and powerful they are as they perform a high energy show from start to finish. Dolphin Days takes place several times daily at Dolphin Theater at Sea World Orlando (Photo: September 8, 2019)

Many people head to Sea World to see the ocean animals up close. But the native Florida wildlife tends to make an appearance throughout the park, looking for a fast meal. From the birds trying to steal a fish from the sea lions at Pacific Point Preserve to the Great Egret here that found a lizard along the path to Dolphin Stadium, there are plenty of animals to see both in the exhibits and naturally occurring. (Photo: September 7, 2019)

Two orca whales share a sweet moment as they give each other a kiss during the performance of One Ocean at Sea World Orlando. Despite their nickname, Killer Whales, these amazing whales have quite the personality ranging from intelligent to sweet to funny. You can see all of these traits during the show performed daily at Shamu Stadium. (Photo: September 7, 2019)

A colorful clown fish looks more like a missing puzzle piece as it swims in the Manta Aquarium at Sea World Orlando. When you think of a clownfish, the first image that pops in most peoples minds is Nemo from finding Nemo. But there are over thirty species of clownfish ranging from this one that looks like a puzzle piece to maroon ones. (Photo: September 7, 2019)

A sea lion gives off a big yawn to start the week. Who isn't extra sleepy on a Monday morning as we head back to work and school after a weekend off. It is even tougher to get up and motivated after having such a fun filled weekend at Sea World Orlando. (Photo: September 8, 2019)

Clyde and Seamore take their hi jinx to the lunch table as they take a lunch break during a busy day of learning and playing at Sea Lion High. Join this pair of California Sea Lions as they test the patience of the principal during the Clyde and Seamore's Sea Lion High comedy show at the Seal Lion and Otter Theater at Sea World Orlando. The sea lions are joined by an Asian Small Clawed Otter and a walrus during this hilarious show. (Photo: September 7, 2019)

A dolphin smiles as it passes an underwater viewing window at Sea World Orlando. The underwater window is just one of the ways Sea World gets visitors closer to the amazing marine animals and see them interacting within their habitats. (Photo: September 7, 2019)

We all have that one moment when something happens that changes your life completely, when you believe in it you can make it happen.  That was the story behind the Believe show at Sea World Orlando. The show that ran from 2006-2011 highlighted the story of young trainers as they dreamed of working with killer whales and then followed them through reaching their goals of working with Shamu.  This was the last Shamu show at Sea World in which the trainers would enter the water with the Killer Whales following a tragic accident in 2010.  (Photo: July 5, 2008)