Don't Fear the Rain, We Have the "Ducky of Death!"-Jan '14 **Bonus TR DCA 9/1 x2

[middlesista]

Seeing your photos makes me realize how much I miss when actually in the ride. The Haunted Mansion - the close up of the "bride" - amazing!

Thanks for sharing your photos!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Looks like the lens you rented really worked out well for you. You were able to get some great shots in the dark rides. love the HM ones. I'm still trying to get the hitchhiking ghost, since now DS has decided he is too scared to ride I really haven't had a chance to try and get it. Hopefully he will be more willing and not as scared this trip.

I wish I could ride some of these over and over to try and get the shots I want. With only one ride through I usually miss something. Ready for when DS to wants to ride more than small world and the carousel over and over again.

I know what you mean about wanting to go on back to back to back rides in trying to get the shot you want. Was able to do that for HM on my solo trip in October. Would love to do it for Peter Pan but the wait times on that one doesn't make it easy.

Seeing your photos makes me realize how much I miss when actually in the ride. The Haunted Mansion - the close up of the "bride" - amazing!

Thanks for sharing your photos!!

Thank you! I sometimes find myself going through my pictures to ease not being at Disney.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

We're at the final stretch of voting for the DIS Photo Contest! Big Big thanks to everyone who voted so far! Here's the link to my photo entry.

Flights of Wonder has become a fixture in our touring plans. We love spending time in this shaded theater on an afternoon at AK watching our favorite birds and Guano Joe. Like many other guests, we watched the show for the first time three years ago after hearing so many people and DISers give positive reviews. And this time around we wanted to introduce the show to my brother’s family.

We arrived at the theater entrance about 15 minutes before showtime. I believe we were munching on a jalapeno pretzel while we waited for them to let us in and watching the “pre-show” where one of the CMs shows off one of the birds. Once the gates opened we made our way to the front and got a second row seat. The kids were busy working on their snacks and drinks as DS and my nephew discussed the merits and demerits of the different snacks available to them in a way only 4 years olds can. DW happened to notice the family sitting in front of us. The dad was sporting a giant telephoto zoom lens on his camera – the exact same lens I happened to be attaching to my camera for the show. She laughed and commented how we were camera twins which broke the ice and I talked shop with him and his wife. Both were serious hobbyist and eyeing the possibility of starting their own photography business. They live nearby so they like to hop on over to a park on a weekend to spend a few hours at Disney. Can you say jealous? This particular day they came over after their son’s soccer practice. I also noted that we weren’t exactly camera twins as his camera body was a 5D Mark III – that’s currently my dream camera. One day.

Well the show started off as usual. Beautiful birds flying in from all directions some of them swooping over our heads.





The host CM came out and I recognized her from one of our past shows. She promptly moved into introducing the segment for the “grape bird”. You’re going to have to excuse my lack of knowledge on avianology (I’m pretty sure I just made that word up). I don’t remember the names of these birds so I must now call them by their natural behaviors that are demonstrated during the show.



So for those of you who have not seen the show, this particular segment involves a volunteer throwing up a grape up high in the air and the bird flying up and swallowing the grape whole, mid air! Usually they pick a child for the volunteer because it’s low risk and fairly easy to just throw a grape straight up in the air and……oh look at that, the chosen volunteer boy actually threw the grape forward instead of tossing it up. The CM was great about it and arranged a do-over. By the way, I’m pretty certain that the grape did hit someone in the head. Souvenir!! Ok, so here’s the do-over.

Volunteer tosses the grape, up! Bird launches up.



Up!



And Up!



And here’s the money shot! The bird a few miliseconds away from grabbing the grape with its beak.



And the grape now making its way down the bird’s throat.



So that introductory act is always a crowd pleaser. With that act completed it was time to see our beloved friend Guano Joe to bring some much needed humor into the proceedings.

Ok, wait. What’s going on here? Where’s Joe??? And who is this????



She introduced herself as Guano Jane. Had no idea there was an alternate to Joe. We watched this show so many times and this was the first time we were meeting Jane. It’s all good though. We loved her as much as Joe. Awwww, look. She even brought the same tour group flag. I hate that flag. I hate all tour group flags. Oooops, did I say that aloud?

So this is the part of the show when the “hero bird” swoops in to save the day. I call this bird the “hero bird” because it swoops in once to steal the flag away and then swoops in again to steal the flag stick away. My hero.







Next up, the “bobbing parrot”. This one actually sings and can say some words on cue. It also clearly has knack for finding the biggest camera in the crowd, stare right into it, and provide some awesome poses. Actually, I’ve been observing similar behavior in humans too at Disney primarily those CMs in shows and parades







(I was going to post the second part tonight but will have to do it tomorrow.)

 

[teekathepony]

Cameras bring people together!

You’re going to have to excuse my lack of knowledge on avianology (I’m pretty sure I just made that word up).

Yup. I'm pretty sure you're looking for "ornithology".

Wonderful photos of a great show, I missed it this past trip but I almost always go and really enjoy it. We've seen Guano Jane before! I love that they make fun of the tour groups a little.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Cameras bring people together!

Yup. I'm pretty sure you're looking for "ornithology".

Wonderful photos of a great show, I missed it this past trip but I almost always go and really enjoy it. We've seen Guano Jane before! I love that they make fun of the tour groups a little.

You're right! Cameras do bring people together or at least the big cameras become great conversation starters.

Ornithology. That sounds better

Sadly, the actual tour groups sitting in the audience won't get the joke

 

[princess_momma]

I must start off for apologizing for always playing catch up!

I must say, I am enjoying your style of hopping around in chronology and categorizing your posts. It still seems very seamless and has a nice flow!

Your pictures of the dark rides are incredible! It would appear that renting the lens worked out in your favor. Where did you rent from? I've considered renting but am intimidated by knowing where would be good.

As you wrote about it, I totally got what you meant about how rain can be a good thing! Sounds like you choose a great time all around to go. I would love to go in the slow times in January or February, but I doubt it'll ever pan out with my work.

I really need to explore the Belle portions of New Fantasyland! Now that I think about it, I only made it over to Ariel's side and NONE of Belle's. Which is madness, because let's be real...if I were a princess, I'd be here. (Mostly due to the reading thing. I've read 28 books already this year. )

Birds do slightly terrify me but some are beautiful and intrigue me. The more you write about it, the more I think that Landon would enjoy the bird show though!

I never seem to spend that much time in Epcot either. And if I do, it never goes well. I do love all the photo op's there...but for some reason the walking always gets everyone in my group or the F&W crowds aren't worth it or some other excuse! I'm glad you finally got to go to Via Napoli! That's been a must-do on my last 3 trips!! I LOVE it so much.

 

[chattadisser]

Just checking in...I've gotten sidetracked lately and I'm trying to catch up.

Great pictures on the dark rides!

Christine

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Wow, awesome capture of the Grape Bird Dave. Going in for the catch. Very cool.

Yeah, Disney needs to invest in more "Hero Birds" and I've never even been in Disney during Tour Group season.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Great ornithography Dave!

I think using hero birds to drive away actual tour groups is the main plot line of the next Kingdom Keepers book

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I must say, I am enjoying your style of hopping around in chronology and categorizing your posts. It still seems very seamless and has a nice flow!

Your pictures of the dark rides are incredible! It would appear that renting the lens worked out in your favor. Where did you rent from? I've considered renting but am intimidated by knowing where would be good.

As you wrote about it, I totally got what you meant about how rain can be a good thing! Sounds like you choose a great time all around to go. I would love to go in the slow times in January or February, but I doubt it'll ever pan out with my work.

I really need to explore the Belle portions of New Fantasyland! Now that I think about it, I only made it over to Ariel's side and NONE of Belle's. Which is madness, because let's be real...if I were a princess, I'd be here. (Mostly due to the reading thing. I've read 28 books already this year. )

Birds do slightly terrify me but some are beautiful and intrigue me. The more you write about it, the more I think that Landon would enjoy the bird show though!

I never seem to spend that much time in Epcot either. And if I do, it never goes well. I do love all the photo op's there...but for some reason the walking always gets everyone in my group or the F&W crowds aren't worth it or some other excuse! I'm glad you finally got to go to Via Napoli! That's been a must-do on my last 3 trips!! I LOVE it so much.

Thanks! I've enjoyed retelling our trip in this fashion and jumping around in time. Keeps it fresh!

I used an online rental company this time called Borrowlenses.com. The process was pretty seamless and very smooth. I'll definitely be using them again.

Just checking in...I've gotten sidetracked lately and I'm trying to catch up.

Great pictures on the dark rides!

Christine

Thanks! Always have fun taking pictures of the Dark Rides!

Wow, awesome capture of the Grape Bird Dave. Going in for the catch. Very cool.

Yeah, Disney needs to invest in more "Hero Birds" and I've never even been in Disney during Tour Group season.

An army of Hero Birds patrolling the parks. Hmmmm, I like the sound of that!

Great ornithography Dave!

I think using hero birds to drive away actual tour groups is the main plot line of the next Kingdom Keepers book

Thank you!I would totally read that book!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Continuing from last night's post on Flights of Wonder at Animal Kingdom.

Ok, next up is the “dollar bird”. This is where an adult volunteer (much to the chagrin of countless children in the audience) is picked and asked to hold out a dollar bill in their hand. A bird flies from the stage to the volunteer to pick up the dollar then return to the stage. The dollar is returned to the volunteer on the second flight which is when I captured this what would have been a perfect shot if it wasn’t for this ***person!*** who decided to half standup from his seat right when my shutter went off to proudly display his noggin squarely in the middle of the frame. Arggggggh!!



By the way, did you notice how the volunteer’s Magic Band color matches those of the bird? Coincidence? I think not.

Next up, the Owl showed up to demonstrate its wide wingspan and flight. Hey, I actually know the name of this bird!!









This is the “lizard smacking bird” It demonstrates how it likes to smack the lizard on to the ground using its beak either to render it unconscious or to tenderize the meat







Yes. Lizard. Smacking. Bird. Awesomeness.

This is “Hair Swooping Bird No. 1” It flies over the audiences head. It flies so close to our heads that you can feel the swoooooosh. I would have liked to have seen the guy who ruined my perfect shot do his awesome half-stand during this act. I’m pretty sure the bird would have taught him a lesson about staying in your seat by using what appeared to be impressively sharp talons!





Aaaaaand, this is “Hair Swooping Bird No. 2” The difference between this one and “Hair Swooping Bird No. 1” is that it likes to start its flight from the side of the theater instead of from the stage.





All joking aside, the show at its heart carries a good message about conservation and doing our best to look out for our fellow creatures. To demonstrate a success story of what our collective efforts can achieve, as part of the final act they introduce the Bald Eagle.





One of the most enjoyably parts of the show for our kids is what happens after the show ends. A few bird handlers stay on stage with their avian friends so that people can move up front close to see them and ask them questions.





DD was all about asking questions and it’s never crowded because most people just head straight for the exit as soon as the show ends. They even brought out a chicken which was DS’ favorite. He didn’t even want to go see the other more colorful birds.

My brother’s family thoroughly enjoyed the show as well. My nephew was pretty cute during the entire show. Every time a new bird was introduced in the show he would immediately turn to his mom and tell her “Get a picture of that bird. And that bird. And that one.” My poor DSIL was trying her best so I helped out a little by showing him the pictures I was taking during the show and promised him that I would send them to him after the trip.

We once again had a great time and will definitely be watching it again in October!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Awesome that the kiddos got picked! Joaquin was super bummed that Gavin got picked and he didn't. However, I'm going out on a limb and saying it was purely because Gavin got picked. Not because he actually wanted to do something.

Wait.....your DB doesn't remember watching Beauty and the Beast? Travesty!

World Showcase can definitely slip through the cracks a bit, especially with kiddos.

I'm glad that you enjoyed the food at Via Napoli, I'm just sorry that the service was lacking a bit.

The nostalgia is what makes Peter Pan great. It's not the most mind blowing ride, but that's what makes it beautiful.

Haunted Mansion....best attraction ever! It was my favorite ever since I was 4 years old. Apparently nothing about it phased me.

Lizard smacking bird! LOL.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

You know Dave, I think that the guy wanted his noggin in your frame because you take such amazing pictures, everyone wants to be in them!

GREAT shot of the Eagle and posing handler (big camera, right?). Funny too that the Bald Eagle being the symbol of America was once so sparcely seen in the States. Yet here in Canada, they're everywhere.

 

[teekathepony]

I loved your names for all the birds! lizard smacking bird and hair ruffling bird!
Great shots, but oh, so too bad about the guy standing up in front of the dollar stealing bird!
Ahh the eagles. We have a camera club around here who go every Sunday to feed the eagles and get pictures. Sometimes there are up to 25 bald eagles in one place, it's pretty awesome!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[afwdwfan]

The kids were busy working on their snacks and drinks as DS and my nephew discussed the merits and demerits of the different snacks available to them in a way only 4 years olds can.

4 year old conversations. Often entertaining. Sometimes scary.

She promptly moved into introducing the segment for the “grape bird”. You’re going to have to excuse my lack of knowledge on avianology (I’m pretty sure I just made that word up).

You made that up??? Really???

Awwww, look. She even brought the same tour group flag. I hate that flag. I hate all tour group flags. Oooops, did I say that aloud?

You sure did. I think you'll find that most agree with you though.

The dollar is returned to the volunteer on the second flight which is when I captured this what would have been a perfect shot if it wasn’t for this ***person!*** who decided to half standup from his seat right when my shutter went off to proudly display his noggin squarely in the middle of the frame. Arggggggh!!

Well, aside from the blob, the picture looks great. You did all you could do there.

Yes. Lizard. Smacking. Bird. Awesomeness.

I kind of want to see that show now just so I can see this bird.

DD was all about asking questions and it’s never crowded because most people just head straight for the exit as soon as the show ends. They even brought out a chicken which was DS’ favorite. He didn’t even want to go see the other more colorful birds.

What??? A chicken???? Fried or grilled???

If I wanted to see a chicken, I'd just go over to Flame Tree.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I've enjoyed your naming of the birds .... though I wonder if "Hair Swooping Bird No. 2" works really hard he can move up to be ing "Hair Swooping Bird No. 1"

I like Ben Franklin's take on our national bird, the Bald Eagle:

"... he is a bird of bad moral character, he does not get his living honestly... Besides he is a rank coward; the little kingbird, not bigger than a sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district."

instead, he felt the turkey should be our national bird, writing:

"...the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America . . . a bird of courage, and would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British guards, who should presume to invade his farmyard with a red coat on."

though I guess it would be a bit awkward when we would eat our national bird every year for Thanksgiving

 

[khertz]

I really hate birds, they freak me out. So obviously, I have never seen this show in person! However, your photos and descriptions made me feel like I was there, so now I don't ever have to.

 

[momabbate]

Wow!!! I think out of all your pics I have seen, your bird pics take my breath away.

 

[MEK]

I love Flights of Wonder! It's a great show. I had no idea either that there was a Guano Jane. Equal opportunity I guess!

That show is a photographer's dream and catching that bird grabbing the dollar bill is awesome! One time I got this woman's expression as she was literally freaking out as the bird flew at her. It was too funny!

Yes - it would be wonderful to just run on over to AK after your son's soccer practice. In fact, how great would it be to play outdoor soccer in January!

 

[khaleesi]

Not sure how I got so far behind!

Back in 2008 when I went to WDW with my family, my poor niece was terrorized by Dinosaur and then didn't want to go on ANYTHING. We had to beg her to go on Haunted Mansion because we knew she'd like it. Luckily, we managed to convince her!

I LOVE your HM pictures. Simply amazing... especially the hitchhikers!

The birds are gorgeous, especially that eagle!! But, I can't help but throw a "poor lizard" in there.