Lowry Park Zoo: Animals

Tampa, Florida: Over 2,000 animals call Lowry Park Zoo their home. From the toucans in the aviary to the elephants on the safari, animals from all continents feel right at home on the zoo’s 56 acre property. The zoo is a member of the National Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a center of Florida wildlife conservation and biodiversity as recognized by the State of Florida. The zoo is divided up into geographical regions with each region featuring native animals.

As you first enter the park, you will come across the free-flight aviary. Once you pass through the doors to the aviary, you are free to roam amongst the cage less birds. You will be immersed in the colors of the birds as they fly freely all around you. You will encounter toucans, macaws and other birds as you journey through the aviary.

Wallaroo Station is the zoo’s children area. The children can feed goat and sheep in the petting zoo. This area of the zoo is also home to the New Guinea singing dogs, emus, bats, kangaroos, kookaburra and many more. This is also the site of Lowry Park Zoo’s newest resident, a Queensland Koala.

Next is Safari Africa, the largest of the habitats in the zoo. Safari Africa is home to the elephants, giraffes, zebras, meerkat, camels and more. This is also where guests can interact with some of the animals by feeding giraffes and rhinos or by going on a camel ride. It is also home to the African Penguin, a breed of penguins that reside in warm weather climates. Also just recently opened in Safari Africa is the Ituri Forest trail. The Ituri Forest is home to pygmy hippos, storks, cheetahs and okpi.

The Florida Boardwalk feature animals that are found native in the sunshine state. As you stroll the boardwalk you will encounter Red Wolves, Black Bears, Caribbean Flamingos, Alligators, Otters, Bald Eagles, the Florida Panther and many more Floridians. This is also the home of the Florida Manatee and Aquatic Center. Lowry Park Zoo is a non-profit manatee hospital and has treated more than 200 manatees. Guests can view the manatees and learn more about their conservation here.

The Zoo Ventures Theater is where you can watch the birds of prey show. The show, “Spirits of the Sky” performs multiple times daily and is where you can see Kestrel, Eagles, Owls, Vultures and Hawks up close.

Asian Gardens is home to one of the most famous zoo residents, the Tigers. You can watch the family of white tigers as the play in their habitat and even splash around in the water. Asian Gardens is also home to the clouded leopard, sloth bear, Indian rhinoceros and more.

The final animal habitat is Primate World. Featuring some of the most endangered primates, this is by far one of the most popular attractions. Orangutans, Chimpanzees, Marmosets, Tamarins, Lemur and monkeys entertain guests for hours. This also home to one of the zoo newest members, a baby Orangutan.

Lowry Park Zoo offers plenty of behind the scene adventures that allows you to get closer to these animals. Both entertaining and educational, they are a great way to learn more about the animals and their habitats.

For more pictures of the animals, visit my Lowry Park Zoo photo page.

Sarasota Reds vs Clearwater Threshers

Sarasota, Florida: The Sarasota Red defeated the Clearwater Thresher 3-1 on Wednesday afternoon during Camp Day at Ed Smith Stadium.

The Reds took the lead in third inning. Jake Kahaulelio singled to short to get things started. Kahaulelio then stole second to move into scoring position. Denis Phipps then drove him home with an RBI single to left, giving Sarasota a 1-0 lead.

Sarasota added two more runs to their lead in the fifth inning. Justin Tordi drew a walk to put a runner on the base path. Mariekson Gregorius then singled on a bunt, moving Tordi to second. Jake Kahaulelio followed with a double to right, scoring Tordi. Kel Jones drove home the second run of the inning with a sac fly to score Gregorius and give Sarasota a 3-0 lead.

Clearwater picked up their only run of the game in the eighth inning. Joel Naughton singled to lead off the inning. Yonderman Rodriguez followed with a walk and Javis Diaz later singled to center to load the bases. Fidel Hernandez drove home Naughton with a ground out to short for a Clearwater run. But the Reds stranded the remaining runners and took the victory 3-1.

Matt Klinker earned the victory for Sarasota with Enerio Del Rosario earning the save. Darren Byrd was the losing pitcher for Clearwater.

For more photos from the game, visit my Reds/Threshers game gallery.

Ringling Museum of Art

Sarasota, Florida: John Ringling was the most well known and successful of the Ringling Brothers Circus family. Through-out his journeys across the world with the circus, he developed a rather large art collection and decided he wanted a place to display his works of art for all to enjoy. This became the backbone of the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota.

In 1921, John and Mable Ringling began spending their winters in Sarasota and decided to build home there. They purchased twenty acres of waterfront land on the banks of Sarasota Bay and the Ringling legacy in Sarasota was born.

They first began construction of the Ringling residence in 1924. The Ca d’Zan, or house of John, was built as a Mediterranean revival structure featuring elements from the Doge’s Palace in Italy to Madison Square Garden in New York City. Designed by New York architect Dwight James Baum and built by Sarasota developer Owen Burns, the Ca d’Zan was completed in 1926 at the price of $1.5 million dollars.

The construction of the residence was overseen by Mabel as John traveled frequently for business. The building consists of 41 rooms and 15 bathrooms and his five stories in height. The highlight of the structure is the Belvedere tower, an 81 foot high open tower overlooking Sarasota .

Next Ringling constructed a 21 gallery museum to house the art collection he acquired through his travels. The gallery served as home to his collection containing works from Peter Paul Rubens, Velazquez, Poussin, Van Dyck and other Baroque period pieces. The courtyard of the museum is filled with replicas of Greek and Roman sculptures including a cast of Michelangelo’s David.

The first thing built on the property was not the residence or the museum but in fact it was Mabel’s Rose Garden. Completed in 1913, the garden is modeled after a traditional Italian circular garden. The 27,225 square foot garden consist of 1,200 rose plants of various styles.

Upon Ringling’s death in 1936, the entire estate and a $1.2 million dollar endowment was willed to the State of Florida.

In 1948, the Ringling Museum of the American Circus opened on the grounds. The museum was a unique look of the history of the circus. On display was various items from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus including posters, wardrobe, equipment, parade wagons and much more.

Also in the late 1940’s, the historic Asolo Theater from Asolo, Italy relocated to Sarasota and reconstructed on the Ringling Estate grounds. Built in 1798 in Italy, the four tier horseshoe shaped theater was a regular venue for the Queen of Cyprus and was the home theatre of Italian actress Eleonora Duse. By 1930, they theater was no longer in service and was disassembled and placed into storage. In 1949, the director of the Ringling Museum of Art decided the theatre would be a perfect addition to the estate and moved the crates to Sarasota and erected the theatre in a gallery of the museum. It was decided that the theatre was to be reconstructed into a modern building so it could be used in production once again. A new building was constructed and in January 1958, the Asolo Theatre reopened with the production of Mozart’s “ Die Entfuhrung au dem Serail.”

Despite the addition of the circus museum and the Asolo Theatre, the property began to fall in disrepair. In 2000, the property was transferred to Florida State University and the estate became the largest museum/university complexes in the country.

Upon the transfer of the property, the estate witnessed a revival. All of the buildings were restored and new buildings were added. The estate added the Tibbal’s Learning Center (housing a scale replica of a Ringling Brothers Circus), the John McKay Visitor’s Pavilion (housing the Asolo Theater, visitor services and gift shop), the Education Conservation Building and the Searing Wing of the art museum. With more additions planned for the future.

Guests can tour the entire estate from the Ca d’Zan and the gardens to the Art Museum, Circus Museums and the Asolo Theater. There are guided tours throughout the day and transportation to and from the different venues is provided.

For more pictures from the estate, visit my Ringling Museum of Art photo page.

Charlotte Stone Crabs vs Dunedin Blue Jays

Port Charlotte, Florida: A franchise high five errors and a lack of offense support led to the Charlotte Stone Crabs being shut out by the Dunedin Blue Jays 11-0 Saturday night at Charlotte Sports Park. The Blue Jays offense wasted no time getting started as Darin Mastroianni led off with a single to right and then later advanced two second on a throwing error by Jose Mejias on a pick-off attempt. Eric Thames cleared the bases with a home run to give the Blue Jays a 2-1 lead.

Dunedin stuck again the top of the third. Once again it was Darin Mastroianni getting things going by hitting a routine fly ball to right…well routine on any other night as Reid Fronk committed the second error of the night and the out was easily turned into a triple. John Tolisano followed with a RBI double to center and the Blue Jays took a 3-0 lead.

It was the fourth inning when things went from bad to worse as the Blue Jays struck for six runs in the inning. The Stone Crabs assist Dunedin by committing two errors, throwing two wild pitches and a walk. Kevin Ahrens and Manuel Rodriquez hit back to back doubles to get the inning started. Then it was the first wild pitch of the inning that allowed Ahrens to score. Jonathan Jaspe drew a walk and then advanced to second on the second wild pitch of the inning. Raul Barron followed with a 2 run triple. Back to back errors by Jason Bartlett and Henry Wrigley led to another run for the Blue Jays as Barron crossed the plate. Eric Thames drove in the final run of the inning and Dunedin now had a commanding 9-0 lead.

But the Blue Jays still weren’t finished, adding a run in the sixth and another in the ninth. John Tolisano hit a sac fly to score Sean Shoffit in the top of the sixth. And in the ninth inning it was an RBI single by Kevin Ahrens that score Scott Campbell and pushed the score to 11-0.

Jose Mejias suffered the loss in his second start of the season and left the game in the fourth inning with a leg injury. Mejias pitched 3 innings allowing 9 runs (6 of them earned) on 6 hits with 4 strikeouts and a walk. Tommy Rafferty took over for Mejias pitching 3 innings and allowing 1 run on 2 hits with a strikeout. Matt Gorgen continued to be dominate pitching 2 no-hit innings recording 3 strikeouts. Shawn Williams pitched the ninth frame allowing 1 run on 2 hits with a strikeout and a walk. Kenny Rodriguez was the winning pitcher for the Blue Jays.

For more photos from the game, visit my Stone Crabs/Blue Jays game gallery

Charlotte Stone Crabs vs Dunedin Blue Jays

Port Charlotte, Florida: Despite Ian Paxton going deep twice, the Charlotte Stone Crabs lost to the Dunedin Blue Jays 7-4 Friday night at Charlotte Sports Park. Dunedin opened the game up with back to back singles by Darin Mastroianni and Scott Campbell. Mastroianni later scored thanks in part by a fielding error by Matt Hall and the Blue Jays took a 1-0 lead.

The Stone Crabs tied the game in the bottom of the third on a solo home run by Ian Paxton. Dunedin answered back and retook the lead off a home run by Jesus Gonzalez to put the Blue Jays ahead 2-1.

Charlotte battled back to tie the game in the fourth when John Matulia reached base after being hit by a pitch and later scored on an RBI double by Cody Cipriano. The Stone Crabs took the lead for the first time in the fifth as Ryan Royster led the inning off with a walk and Ian Paxton followed with a two run homer, his second homer of the night, to give the Stone Crabs a 4-2 lead.

But the Blue Jays offense wasn’t finished as they put five runs on the scoreboard in the sixth inning. Scott Campbell got the rally started with a single to center, followed by a double by Eric Thames. Alex Cobb issued an intentional pass to Jesus Gonzalez to load the based for the Blue Jays. Adam Loewen and John Tolisano both singled to drive in runs and Cobb walked Matt Liuzza to drive in the third run of the inning and keep the bases loaded. Darin Mastroianni singled home two more runs as the Blue Jays took a 7-4 lead in which they never relinquished.

Alex Cobb picked up the loss by surrendering 7 runs on 8 hits while striking out 6 and walking 2 in 5 1/3 innings of work. The bullpen combined for 3 2/3 shut out innings with Justin Garcia going 1 2/3 allowing 3 hits and picking up 3 strikeouts. Kevin Boggan pitched the final 2 frames and allowed 2 hits with 2 strikeouts. Tim Collins was the winning pitcher for the Blue Jays.

For more photos from the game, visit my Stone Crabs/Blue Jays game gallery.

Charlotte Stone Crabs vs Daytona Cubs

Port Charlotte, Florida: The Charlotte Stone Crabs defeated the Daytona Cubs 10-2 on Saturday night at Charlotte Sports Park. The Stone Crabs got things started in the first by Emeel Salem drawing a walk. Salem advanced to second on a ground out by Greg Sexton and then drove home on an RBI single by Matt Fields to give the Stone Crabs a 1-0 lead.

The Stone Crabs opened things up in the third by putting five runs on the board. The inning kicked of with back to back singles by Christian Lopez and Shawn O’Malley. Emeel Salem drew his second walk of the night to load the bases for the Stone Crabs. But they didn’t stay loaded long, Greg Sexton hit a bases clearing triple to score all three base runners. Sexton later scored on an RBI single by Matt Fields. Cody Cipriano grounded into what was thought to be a double play, but Cipriano reached second thanks to a throwing error by Daytona’s second baseman Nate Samson. Shawn Williams kept things going with a walk. Cipriano and Williams pulled a double steal to give the Stone Crabs runners in scoring position. Ryan Royster drove in the final run of the inning on a sac fly to center that scored Cipriano and gave the Stone Crabs a 6-0 lead.

The Cubs finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth. Jake Opitz lead off the inning with a solo homer to right. The Cubs followed with back to back singles by Jonathan Wyatt and Tony Campana but Alex Cobb was able to pitch out of the jam and keep them from crossing the plate and maintain the 6-1 Stone Crab lead.

The Charlotte offense struck again in the bottom of the sixth. Shawn O’Malley reached base thanks to a throwing error by Daytona’s Marwin Gonzalez. Emeel Salem followed by reaching on a bunt. O’Malley and Salem advanced on a wild pitch and gave the Stone Crabs runners on second and third. Greg Sexton singled home O’Malley for the first run of the inning. Matt Fields followed with an RBI single to left to score Salem. Cody Cipriano singled to load the bases for the Stone Crabs. Shawn Williams hit a sac fly to left to score Sexton. Fields scored on a single by Ryan Royster and the Stone Crabs took a 10-1 lead.

Brian Flores struggled with two outs in the seventh and gave the Cubs their second run of the game. Flores issued back to back walks to Dylan Johnston and Robinson Chirinos who later advanced on a balk. Johnston scored on a wild pitch by Flores. Flores fought back to strike out Ryan Keedy to end the inning. The Stone Crabs held on to win the game 10-2.

Alex Cobb picked up his third win of the season by pitching 5 innings and allowing 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 5 and walking 2. Brian Flores pitched 2 innings in relief surrendering 1 run on 1 hit with 1 strikeout and 2 walks. Matt Gorgen finished out the game with 2 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit an striking out 2. Ryan Searle was the losing pitcher for Daytona.

For more photos from the game, visit my Stone Crabs/Cubs game gallery.