The Wandering Disciple

A willet plays in the surf along the shore of Manasota Beach in Englewood.  Shorebirds like this willet can be found along the surfline searching for food in the surf.  (Photo: March 14, 2016)

When this pig flies, the tropics are in turmoil and someone is under the gun for a dangerous tropical cyclone. Miss Piggy is a P-3 Orion flown by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Aircraft Operations division based at MacDill Air Force Base. The aircraft more commonly known as a Hurricane Hunter flies into the heart of tropical systems to gather data to help determine the path and intensity of storms, helping the staff at the National Hurricane Center make informed forecasts that help save lives and protect property.

The future of air superiority, the F-35 Lightning II sits on display at MacDill Air Fest. Developed by Lockheed-Martin, the F-35 is undergoing final development for use by the US Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps. The stealth aircraft features three models; conventional, short take-off/vertical landing and carrier based. (Photo: March 19, 2016)

A KC-135 Stratotanker from MacDill Air Force Base sits on static display at MacDill Air Fest. These giant aircraft provide aerial refueling support for global operations. Produced by Boeing, the KC-135 entered service in 1957, making it one of only a handful of aircraft to serve continuously for over 50 years. It is modelled after the Boeing 707 commercial passenger plane. The 414 aircraft operated by Air Mobility Command can be configured for aerial refueling operations of US military aircraft or as a medical evacuation aircraft. (Photo: March 19, 2016)

A CF-188 Hornet from the Royal Canadian Air Force makes the journey to the Sunshine State for the MacDill Air Fest. The CF-188’s are the Canadian equivalent to the USAF’s F-18 Hornet and are the fighter aircraft in the RCAF fleet. (Photo: March 19, 2016)

Englewood, Florida: The Key Agency Little League majors team improve to 3-0 with a 7-1 win over Lemon Bay Funeral home on Thursday night at Englewood Sports Complex. Key Agency was led by starting pitcher Cody Mayes who struck out 12 on the mound while going 2 for 2 and producing five of the team’s seven runs on the night. Key Agency jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Bryce Noll and Mayes drew walks to get things going. An RBI single by MJ Patrick followed by a two run single by Timmy Distefano made it 3-0. Key Agency made it 5-0 by scoring two more in the second inning. A two out rally got started following a single by Noll. An RBI single by Mayes would plate the first run of the inning. Mayes later scored on an RBI single by Patrick to increase the lead. Key Agency added a pair of runs again in the bottom of the fourth. Mayes delivered a single that scored Vestin Paul and Noll to make it 7-0. Lemon Bay broke up the shut-out by pushing across a lone run in t...

Looking down the business end of an A-10 Thunderbolt II can be one of the most intimidating sights for an enemy combatant. The A-10 deploys a 30mm cannon capable of firing 3,900 rounds of armor-piercing shells a minute. (Photo: March 19, 2016)