The Wandering Disciple

A red-winged blackbird stares back at the camera as it crosses across the ramp at the Southwest Florida International Airport. Easily identifiable by their bright red markings on the top of the wing, the red-winged blackbird can be found throughout North and Central America. It is believed to be one of the most abundant land birds in North American and can usually be found along water marshes both fresh and salt water. The male, pictured here, feature the iconic red wing while the females are more brown and streaky. (Photo: July 27, 2020)

A windy country road in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains makes for a scenic afternoon drive. This back road outside Marshall, North Carolina provided a scenic backdrop for one of the excursions during out 2017 summer road trip. Getting off the highways and exploring back roads and small towns are one of my favorite parts of our road trip vacations. (Photo: June 13, 2017)

Braves minor leaguer Randy Ventura rounds second and digs from third during a South Atlantic League game in 2017. Signed as an international free agent by the Atlanta Braves in 2015, Ventura has spent five seasons in the minor league system, split between the Braves and the Cincinnati Reds organizations. Prior to the COVID-19 hiatus Ventura was with the Daytona Tortugas, the Advanced-A affiliate of the Reds in the Florida State League. (Photo: June 12, 2017)

Eating greens is a special treat, It makes long ears and great big feet. But it sure is awful stuff to eat." That is one of the many famous lines about life as spoken by Thumper during the 1942 Disney classic Bambi. While the cartoon Thumper may not have liked his greens, this Eastern Cottontail sure does. (Photo: July 15, 2020)

When George Vanderbilt II envisioned his mountain getaway, he envisioned a grande mansion in a park like setting. So he set forth to make his vision a reality and entrusted Frederick Law Olmsted with developing the landscape of the Biltmore. Olmsted, the architect of great projects like Central Park in NYC and the US Capitol in DC, developed a stunning lanscape of manicured forests and colorful gardens that continues to impress visitors to the Biltmore to this day. (Photo: June 12, 2017)

Asheville has always been known for its unique style, this little mountain town has something for everyone. But they quirky little city in the mountains takes on a different feel after dark. While craft beer scene heats up in the many pubs, the haunted history comes to life as well. One way to experience this side of Asheville is through the Haunted Asheville walking tour. One of the stops on the tour is Church Street where they paved over a cemetery enhancing the paranormal energy in the area. On Church Street sits the Central United Methodist Church, where a ghostly nun still roams the church. (Photo: June 11, 2017)

After commanding 25 missions in the famed Memphis Belle during the European theater of World War II, Asheville native Robert Morgan decided to put on a little show for his hometown. During a publicity tour in his hometown of Asheville, Captain Morgan lined the B-17 up along Patton Avenue in the heart of downtown Asheville. He pitched the wings 60 degree and split the middle of the Buncombe County Courthouse and Asheville City Hall, a mere 50 feet apart. This feat is memorialized in a monument located between these two building. (Photo: June 12, 2017)