The Wandering Disciple

Coconut Creek, Florida: The subtropical climate of South Florida isn't just good for vacationing, it makes for a great place to find colorful butterflies. While the region is home to a vast variety of butterflies, Butterfly World brings species from all over the world to the Sunshine State.  Opened in 1988, Butterfly World is the largest butterfly butterfly park in the world. It is home to over 20,000 colorful butterflies ranging from 50 different species. And its not just butterflies found here, the park is home to free flight aviaries, an insect museum and much more.  Your journey to Butterfly World begins in the Grand Plaza. Once you pay your admission fee, it's time to begin your adventure. The first stop of the self-guided/self-paced tour is the laboratory. From the observation windows of the lab, you can get an inside look at the life cycle of butterflies. Butterflies have a four stage life cycle; egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly.  As you pass through t...

Last weekend we visited ZooTampa at Lowry Park in Tampa, Florida. As passholders, we enjoy visiting the zoo and watching the animals at the zoo. Click on the Orangutan photo below to visit the gallery of photo from ZooTampa.

Artemis 1 sits on Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center. The first flight of the Artemis program was expected to launch Saturday afternoon but for the second attempt in a row, the launch was scrubbed due to technical issues with the rocket.  The Artemis program marks NASA's attempt to return to the moon and beyond. The SLS system is NASA's largest and most powerful rocket system and is anticipated to take astronauts deeper into space and potentially manned missions to Mars.  NOTE: I apologize for the heat haze in the photo,. Due to being an active launch zone, public access to the complex was limited and closest public viewing was over 10 miles away from the launch site and with temps over 95 degrees with hazy sunshine, the heat haze over the river was intense. However I still decided to take and post the photo due to historical significance.  Taken: September 3, 2022 (Titusville, FL)

Melbourne, Florida The Brevard Zoo, nestled in Melbourne, Florida, offers an unparalleled and captivating experience for visitors of every generation. Spanning an impressive 75 acres, this conservation-centric zoo serves as a vibrant sanctuary for over 900 animals, representing an astounding 195 species from diverse corners of the globe. What truly sets the Brevard Zoo apart from many conventional zoos is its unwavering commitment to immersive exhibits and interactive encounters. This innovative approach fosters a more personal connection between guests and the magnificent wildlife that calls the zoo home.  At the core of the Brevard Zoo's mission is its profound dedication to conservation. The zoo is a proactive participant in, and a staunch supporter of, countless wildlife conservation programs, both on a global scale and within its local community. Their tireless efforts are focused on safeguarding endangered species and preserving their critical habitats. A shining example of t...

In conjunction with today's Photo of the Day by Donten Photography, click on the photo to see the entire gallery of photos from Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, Florida. The gallery contains photos collected over 2003-2010 while we were passholders to the Universal Orlando Resort.

Fly high with Woody Woodpecker as he takes you on an exciting ride though Woody's Nut Factory. The family coaster as Universal Studios Florida is a fun and playful coaster featuring drops and turns as you feel like you are flying much like Woody himself.  Woody Woodpeckers Nuthouse Coaster opened at Universal Studios in 1999. It was the first coaster opened at the park and the centerpiece of the Woody's KidZone, an area of the park dedicated to the youngest members of the family.  Taken: December 25, 2005 at Universal Studios Florida at Universal Orlando (Orlando, FL)

In conjunction with today's photo of the day by Donten Photography, click on the photo above to view the entire gallery of photos from our visits to Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando in Orlando, Florida.