The Wandering Disciple

Strolling along Caspersen Beach Park in Venice feels like stepping into one of Florida’s last truly wild shorelines, where windswept dunes, scattered driftwood, and the rhythmic Gulf surf set a peaceful pace. Known as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World,” the beach invites slow, deliberate walks with eyes scanning the sand for fossilized treasures tucked among shells and pebbles. With fewer crowds and an untamed natural beauty, every step becomes part of a quiet, meditative journey along this rugged stretch of coast. Taken: February 1, 2009 at Caspersen Beach Park (Venice, FL)

The historic Venice Train Depot stands as a striking example of Mediterranean Revival architecture, reflecting the planned aesthetic that shaped Venice in the early 20th century. Built in 1927 for the Seaboard Air Line Railway, the depot features stucco walls, graceful arched openings, and a distinctive red clay tile roof that echoes the region’s Italian-inspired design. Its symmetrical layout and elegant detailing evoke a time when rail travel was central to Florida’s growth, making the depot not only a functional landmark but also a beautifully preserved piece of the city’s architectural heritage.  Taken: Coakley Railroad Park (Venice, FL)

Venice, Florida: Tucked away just east of downtown Venice, Sleeping Turtles Preserve North is one of Sarasota County’s best-kept secrets—a peaceful, lightly trafficked natural escape where Old Florida still feels wonderfully untouched. If you’re looking to trade beaches for shaded trails and wildlife encounters, this 174-acre preserve delivers a rewarding outdoor experience without the crowds. Overview Sleeping Turtles Preserve North is part of a larger protected area acquired through Sarasota County’s environmental conservation efforts in the early 2000s. The preserve’s name dates back to 19th-century naval maps that marked a landmark along the nearby Myakka River as “Sleeping Turtles.” Today, the preserve protects a diverse landscape of pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, and floodplain swamps, offering a glimpse into Florida’s native ecosystems.  Trails & Hiking Experience  With over five miles of unpaved trails, the preserve is ideal for hiking, trail running, and even casu...

Had a ghostly encounter, who are you gonna call? Call the Ghostbusters and Ecto 1A will come screaming to the rescue. The 1980's Ghostbusters movie franchise featured Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis as parapsychologists who try to rid the Big Apple of ghosts.  The Ecto 1A movie car is just one of the many iconic cars on display for sale at Ideal Classic Cars. The showroom is a stroll through Americana featuring a collection of movie cars and iconic historic hot rod.  Taken: November 6, 2014 at Ideal Classic Cars (Venice, FL)

An anhinga sits along the lake with its wings spread in the Florida sun, drying out so it can take flight. Unlike most water fowl, the anhinga lack oil glands to keep their wings dry. So after its dive, it needs to perch on land, fluff its feathers and stretch out to dry in the sun. (Photo: December 26, 2020)

When it comes to protecting the City on the Gulf, residents rely on the Venice Fire Department to keep them safe.  The department has evolved over the years to meet the needs of the community including beginning EMS service last year.  To further demonstrate their commitment to the community, the department was one of the first in the nation to offer in-home COVID-19 vaccinations to residents that can not make it to a vaccination site.  (Photo: March 2, 2019)

A seagull hangs out on the beach with the rest of the snowbirds, feathered and human. When much of the world is covered in snow and cold weather, snowbirds flock to the beaches of Florida to enjoy a little warmth and sunshine. Beaches like Brohard Beach here in Venice because filled with birds and people enjoying the sunshine state weather. (Photo: February 10, 2019)

The slash pine is one of the predominant plants found in Florida's scrub habitat.  In days gone by, the slash pine was an important part of the economy as its sap was used to make turpentine.  But preservation efforts have now protected this critical part of the ecosystem and today it is home to diverse species of wildlife. The slash pines also benefit greatly from prescribed burns, a process in which a controlled fire helps maintain the forest by reducing underbrush providing a healthier environment for the plants and wildlife of this ecosystem.  (February 9, 2019)

A little blue heron sits along the lake at the rookery in Venice. Believe it or not, the white bird in the background is also a little blue heron. Little blue herons are born white and will remain white for about year when they get the blue coloring seen here. The little blue herons are typically found bodies of water in the southern US. (Photo: January 11, 2019)

A Great Egret comes in for a landing as the sun sets on the Venice Audubon Rookery. This park features an lake with an island known as a rookery. A rookery provides a safe nesting site for birds like the egret and other wading birds. The rookery creates a castle type arrangement for the birds, the water from the lake keeps predators like raccoons from raiding the nests. So each night as the sun sets, there is always a flurry of activity as the birds return to the island for the night. (Photo: December 25, 2018)

A brown pelican glides into the water for a soft landing at South Brohard Beach in Venice, Florida. The beach is a popular spot for flying activity both feathered and aircraft. Situated on the approach to Venice Airport, the beaches are filled with shorebirds looking for food and airplanes on approach to the airport. (Photo: June 9, 2018)

An osprey flies high over the shoreline at Brohard Beach. These magestic birds of prey are usually found near bodies of water looking for a meal. Ospreys can be seen soaring over the water and then diving feet first to grab fish by their talons. Ospreys can be found year-round in Florida and the Southeast United States and migratory throughout the rest of the US. (Photo: May 5, 2018)

Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor calls out some strategy in the huddle during a 2017 Florida high school football playoff game.  After a fourteen year NFL career, the Dolphins defensive end has taken to the sidelines of St Thomas Aquinas, a powerhouse high school football team in Fort Lauderdale where he joined fellow Dolphin teammate Sam Madison on the coaching staff of the Raiders.  (Photo: December 1, 2017)

In government October 1st usually signifies the start of a new fiscal year.  New budgets, laws and programs begin when the fiscal year begins and in the City of Venice, Florida this means the start of emergency medical services.  Until today, the Sarasota County Fire Department provided EMS coverage to the citizens of Venice. However from today forward, the Venice Fire Department will be providing coverage for the city.  (Photo: September 18, 2020)

A brown pelican flies along the Gulf Coast at Service Club Beach in Venice, Florida. The brown pelican is a coastal mainstay in Florida, frequently seen flying above the sea looking for its next meal. Prevalent throughout the coastal regions of much of the United States, the brown pelican is a successful conservation story. Once endangered due to the use of DDT in the 70's, the population began to rebound following conservation efforts that banned the usage of DDT and other pesticides. (Photo: April 16, 2017)

The Venice High School Indians take to the field under the lights of Powell-Davis Field during a 2016 high school football game. This year many high school sports were sidelined due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most spring athletes saw there seasons cancelled just a few games into the season and now the discussions are on the table about the fate of fall sports. While we all miss being side by side and supporting our favorite teams, we will be back there again soon. Until then, stay safe! (Photo: September 23, 2016)

Venice, Florida: The Lemon Bay Manta Rays JV squad traveled to Venice High School for a game against the Venice Indians. After a hard fought game by both sides, the Manta Rays fell to the Indians 3-2. Lemon Bay took an early lead by scoring a run in the first inning. But Venice bounced back with two runs in the bottom of the second. Venice added another run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Lemon Bay scored again in the top of the fifth but that was all they could push across as Venice held on for the 3-2 win. Click on the photo above to view the Lemon Bay/Venice photo gallery .

Hi! I am a Black bellied Plover and I enjoy long walks on the beach. This little guy is one of the many shorebirds that can be found foraging in the surf along the beaches of the Suncoast. (Photo: May 8, 2016)

The clear and cool waters of the Gulf of Mexico are a great place to enjoy a relaxing dip in the sea. With miles and miles of turquoise waters, the Sunshine State of Florida has no shortage of beaches to see and enjoy. (Photo: April 24, 2016)

A pair of aircraft do some formation flying along the Gulf Coast of Florida on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The skies over Florida provide pilots with some of the best flying in the country and is a popular place for formation flying like seen here over South Brohard Beach near the Venice Municipal Airport. (Photo: April 10, 2016)