Making Lemonade from Lemons.

[fractal]

Thoroughly enjoying your TR. We were suppose to be in The World July 23 - Aug 3 but decided to pass due to 14 day quarantines both ways. You are making me regret our decision. Looks like a beautiful trip.

Thank you @HHMcG ! Hope you make it back soon!

Thanks for sharing! Great TR!

Thanks!

Absolutely stunning safari pics!!! Thank you so much for sharing your talent.

Thanks @smilie ! I appreciated the kind words!

Once again, your pictures are amazing!

I traveled to Kenya last year for both a family wedding and a stay at a safari camp. The visit really made me appreciate how accurate Disney was in creating Harambe.

Thanks again @Chief Powhatan and thanks for following along! That has me intrigued!

Your photos and reports are breathtaking!

It’s now my routine to sit and read this during breakfast each day before work (I’m a teacher and we are doing hybrid)... gives me the happy heart and smile to get through the day!

Thanks @tinydancer312 ! Make me feel

Animal Kingdom is my favorite park so loving these shots. The black swan one is amazing!

Thanks! AK is so great right now - but so is DHS! Thank you!

This trip report is so amazing! The photos, the way you write-fantastic! Also, I hope to have such a great relationship with my kids when they get older-I just love how much fun you all have together!

Thanks @RoseBen009 really makes me feel good! My kids grew up taking Disney vacations and it's now in their DNA and I think it shows!

 

[fractal]

The morning sun was shining in Asia.

and I was in the mood to see more animals.

I fell in love with this trail on our last trip and was looking forward to walking through again. Hopefully the Tigers would be as accommodating as the lions were.

But first, I had an encounter with a dragon.

Don't stick your tongue out at me!

Actually I wanted her (pretty sure it was a female) to show her tongue and was stationed with my camera waiting for it.

Following the sign to tigers!

Monkeys were playful that morning.

Bats were hanging out.

Details abound on this trail.

I met a fellow photographer on the trail. He appeared to be a regular as he knew the CMs and gave me a few good tips on the best places to stand for clearers shots of the animals; like these guys.

The soft light from the rising sun played wonderful games on the different surfaces.

Hi Ducks! Where are the tigers?

I found a mural of a tiger hunt, but no sign of any real striped felines.

 

[CruellaNY]

fell in love with this trail on our last trip and was looking forward to walking through again. Hopefully the Tigers would be as accommodating as the lions were.

Great pics again! I love this trail as well since I love tigers, we have not walked it our last 2 trips so have to be sure and do so next month Haven't done Gorilla Falls lately either but I do prefer Maharaja.

 

[KDMAC6]

Great pictures of your trip. i especially love the throw back pictures. It made me think of all of my family's trip over the years and how much my kids have grown. Looks like you guys had an amazing time during your stay.
Oh and by the way my wife is exactly the same about Disney. Funny how people react differently to places..

 

[fractal]

More Tiger Hunt murals.

So much to discover...

I made it to the final Tiger viewing area. It was now or never. I looked around and no tigers to be found. Finally the sympathetic CM came up to me and point to the way, way back and I got a glimpse.

Not the greatest photo, by a long shot but at least I got something.

Up next was the "bird cage". This apparently is the apex of the pigeon species - just look at the eyes, the beautiful colors of his feathers, the ornate crown...but probably wouldn't last long in Central Park.

These birdies actually were singing "tweet, tweet-tweet, tweet-tweet" - or something close.

And now to one of the coolest bird feeders I've seen.

Seemed very popular with these white "doves". I was watching them for awhile land, take-off and interact as I searched for a better photo. One big plus of photography is that many times it does force you to stop, slow down and just observe things you normally wouldn't.

Eventually it was time to move on as I had other photos to capture that day.

Goodbye coolest pigeon ever; stay away from park benches.

I met this interesting character and his children on the way out. Kinda reminded me of my pictures in the pool with the rest of the family jumping on top of me. I can relate fellow.

 

[fractal]

Kali River? Thought about it for a second but passed.

I did stay on the bridge and took a few photos.

"Hi coke bottle."

Sterg and Toni love Kali. I was thinking of them while on the bridge, almost expecting them to show up.

2009. There was a time we thought Toni might end up taller than her brother.

2017.

2020.

Oh wait, that's not them.

But by they way they were hooting and chirping, those swinging apes (yes apes - no tails as I've learned at this spot over the years) sounded like my children arguing over who's turn it was to empty the dishwasher.


They were fun to watch that morning as the put their acrobatic skills on full display.

And they were make a big racket up in this tower! My video was during a more mild time in their "good morning" calls.

 

[kclark9830]

We love Maharajah Trek. We just discovered it on our last trip, in 2018, but we were very impressed by the details.

 

[fractal]

Continuing my photographic tour of Animal Kingdom.

I've always been intrigued by this area.

I like creating "layers" in my photos. Something(s) in the foreground, then the main subject, then a background. I feel it adds interest and gives a sense of 3D depth as well as a way to frame your subject.

No layers here but having a blurred background helps isolate this beautiful statue.

More details. I wonder what's the significance of strawberries?

Different viewpoint.

Never noticed the bicycle before.

 

[fractal]

More offerings to the Yeti god including several more strawberries.

This guy was looking for offerings of his own.

The more you look around the more you see.

The Forbidden Mountain was calling for me but I passed on an expedition, at least not yet. Until later EE.

I reversed course and started to head back towards the Tree of Life taking in details along the way.

These boats were in good order and ready to go.

And look who I found again as I crossed over the bridge to Discovery Island!

"DUDE. Nothing make me happier than seeing you throw kisses at Mickey and Minnie. Ha,ha,ha,ha!"

 

[fractal]

Great pics again! I love this trail as well since I love tigers, we have not walked it our last 2 trips so have to be sure and do so next month Haven't done Gorilla Falls lately either but I do prefer Maharaja.

It is a great trail - I hope you have better luck with the tigers than I had!

Thanks!

Great pictures of your trip. i especially love the throw back pictures. It made me think of all of my family's trip over the years and how much my kids have grown. Looks like you guys had an amazing time during your stay.
Oh and by the way my wife is exactly the same about Disney. Funny how people react differently to places..

Thanks @KDMAC8! We really had a wonderful trip despite all the changes and restrictions.

My wife admitted that this was her favorite trip.

We love Maharajah Trek. We just discovered it on our last trip, in 2018, but we were very impressed by the details.

It is a so worthwhile!

 

[fractal]

Leaving Asia

Never saw this before.

I cut into the trails behind the tree of life. The 105mm lens was replace with my trusty 24mm.

Once again I wanted to try a day time long exposure shot. With no tripod I found a fence and posts that provided some stability. This was shot at ISO 50, f/16 for 1/6 of a second; just long enough to turn the water "creamy".

This was the best of the bunch...

A few other waterfall shots.

I found this little nook to shoot straight into the sun.

First in color,

then in Black and White

Next stop for me was Pandora.

Thanks for stopping by.

Remember earlier in my report I said there was something different about Pandora compared to when we were here in 2017?

It was here when I figured it out. The trees had grown taller and the greens thicker.

2020

2017 - this is not an "apples to apples" shots as the angle is different but whatever they planted in 2017 has definitely grown and matured quickly.

More waterfalls...

More Pandora.

All this picture taking, swapping lenses and carrying a big backpack was making me hungry so I decided to hit up an old favorite.

 

[fractal]

This pavilion behind Flame Tree is one of my, if not favorite spots to eat at Walt Disney World. There's usually a nice breeze and you get a great view of Everest.

We've enjoyed it many times over the years...

This is the lookout area next to it in 2007

2009

2011

2013

2017

The only thing missing on this day in 2020 was the rest of my family.

I caught a glimpse of Rafiki and Timon.

Here's a glimpse of the 105mm lens on my camera. Look at all that big glass! (sorry for the sour look - I was actually pretty happy).

As I was enjoying a nice Safari Amber.

After my delicious BBQ chicken platter and beer (mobile ordered of course), I set foot to explore the rest of the delightful area behind Flame Tree.

 

[fractal]

These guys are always around.

Something I didn't know until recently, each pavilion has a "predator and prey" theme.

Speaking of predator and prey; this guy was on the prowl.

I could literally hang out here all day.

Like this guy does.

Moving on...

 

[fractal]

More photos around Animal Kingdom.

Another nearly perfect day in Walt Disney World!

Sterg send word that he was (finally) on his way to the park. He was hungry so we decided to meet at Satu'li in Pandora. Alex however was on her way to Disney Springs to return something she bought.

Making my way back to Pandora. The area on the right in this photo was another "relaxation station".

Never saw this before.

This was a drum band cruising the rivers of AK. They were pretty good!

Looking back at our sinking ship.

Look who's coming just around the river bend...

Almost there!

Look who I ran into!

Time to get Jr. some lunch.

Another good meal at the Canteen (according to Sterg and my little sampling).

 

[fractal]

After Sterg's lunch I went on another quest for more long exposure shots.

It was right around here when I realized I missed a great opportunity. In my back pack was a 10 stop Neutral Density filter (which is like a very dark pair of sunglasses for a lens) that goes on my 15mm lens. The problem was my 15mm lens was back in the Hotel Room. That plus my tripod would have given me the tools for some really special photos. Something to "shoot" for on the next trip!

"Dad, let's do Flight of Passage one more time." Sterg requested.

No brainer.

I pray that when we look at these photos years from now we'll all say. "Remember when we had to wear those stupid masks?"

Extreme Toxicity Levels - Don't have to travel to Pandora to experience that.

Another thrilling ride on a Banshee!

We bid farewell to Pandora until our next trip.

"See you later floating mountains..."

Off to something Sterg hadn't done since...


2011

Sterg was a little lukewarm about going but as I explained the genius and little details of the queue line he started to become more engaged.

He enjoyed it much more than he anticipated! Actually loved it! There is nothing like the sheer bedlam of a room filled with the screams of dozens of children as black window spiders descend from the ceiling and dangle over their heads!

We both however commented how the 3D (just like Mickey's Philharmagic) seem dated.

Overall though we considered ITTBAB a big win!


UP NEXT - Final ride on Everest/great pool time with Alex/Breaking out the tripod for some night time shots!

 

[tundra1]

That black and white photo of the sun was spectacular! Did the rays come out looking like that because of the slower shutter speed? I might dig out my old camera and try a few shots like these! Thanks for sharing!

 

[fractal]

That black and white photo of the sun was spectacular! Did the rays come out looking like that because of the slower shutter speed? I might dig out my old camera and try a few shots like these! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! The effect on the sun is due to the smaller aperture. In this case I was shooting at f/16.

 

[KEK1]

Spectacular pics, love!
Glad Val enjoyed this trip, my husband is the same, not really keen. He married into Disney lol.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Catching up on a bunch of posts, and loving your photos as always!!

The more you look around the more you see.

So true!

 

[fractal]

Making our way to Nepal and base camp.

There's that floating drum band again.

Time for our expedition.

I was now using the 55mm 1.8 lens (actually had been since Pandora).

For the first time since our first trip on EE, the queue line extended up and behind the buildings. This offered a few different viewpoints. By the way, on our first time in 2007 on Everest we witnessed the Yeti in awesome "A-mode". Hopefully someday we'll see that again. It really is amazing.

Time to board.

I put the camera away this time and thoroughly enjoyed our close encounter with the Yeti.

These people also seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Everest was our last stop of the day.

Sterg and I left AK and grabbed the first bus to the Contemporary.