Saturday was EPCOT day.

********12 hours********

Just as you enter EPCOT is the famous “Ball”.  Inside it – our first adventure.  The people who run EPCOT know how to get a lot of people in a line in a small area.  Back and forth, around a corner then back and forth again.  The whole time I was wandering what the ride was going to be like.  Did it go inside the big “ball”?   Just what was ahead?  A little twinge.  After walking around in circles for while we where at the end of the line.  Ready to board the ride.  Then I noticed the sign…. “suggested height for this ride”- with a line and arrow pointing at it.  Passed!  Then…“if you do not like small dark spaces it is suggested you do not ride!” Well.  Do you how embarrassing it is to go all the out the “in” line?  I guess that it was better than a “Jim Volcano” inside the big “Ball”.

It was a pretty nice day over all.  Disney everywhere….

We walked and walked and walked.  A big giant circle of representations from different countries. Beautiful!

British streets…….

Canada……..

Canada Totem Pole…..(I always thought that was an Alaskan thing)

You know some people just can’t resist the temptation to be a comedian.  She cracks herself up!

There is no way I am carrying a camera all day without some wildlife photos!

Forgot my sunglasses this day.  Paid for it.  About half way through the day heat stroke/sunstroke kicked my butt.  Took a nap in the French (air conditioned) theater during an 18 minute movie. I guess I will just have to go to France to see what I missed.  Didn’t miss Norway. They had a cool exhibit with vikings.

China was probably my favorite.  My daughters have been there and seen the warriors in real life.  This exhibit was a great representation of what to look forward to if traveling to China.

Definitely had to get into the butterfly display!

I would do it again.  But make a few changes:

* Drink more water and remember sunglasses,

* Make reservations in advance if wanting to spend the bucks for dinner where you want.

* Sneak in food. Lunch for three – $79.00, Dinner for three -$117.00.  YIKES!!

* Plan on at least three days.  Slow down and sit more.

* Plan around different venues.  See more on a better schedule.

* Last and most important get an early front row seat to the light show at closing!!

It is finally sunny in Florida!!!   Yesterday we watched the weather channel and the tornado warnings all around.  Today was Discovery Cove day.  A cool place.  My Nikon gear was left in the hotel….so I carried my SHHHHH……CANON…….to the park.  It’s a point and shoot. about 5K less to drop in the water accidentally.  It’s a Canon anyway……so no critics of the pics.  My hands were a little tied!

For an extra fee you can touch and swim with Dolphins.  My son had the opportunity.  It’s been a while since I have seen him so happy.  Thrilled me!  I love that boy (man).

The Dolphin was named “jenny”.  A female dolphin.  Typical of my son he had to get a kiss from this date!!!

We then made our way to the big swim ponds.  Snorkeling with beautiful fish and sea rays.

I am man enough to pass along one of my best self portraits….shot from a Go PRO. Hey!  Like my brother always says ” we don’t make fun of you!”

Had this handsome bird in the viewfinder for a bit.  Looked everywhere to know what bird family he is from.  Never found it.     I will look tomorrow.

A pretty little guy.  And gorgeous.  Friendly to the camera.  This ones a keeper!

Yes my wife picked up the camera.  I almost fainted and fell into the pond as alligator bait.

She actually did pretty good.  Drawn to the baby Egrets most her time was there……shooting these little guys….

Not bad for a tiny, violin playing, mom that weighs just a little more than the camera.  We were both hoping to get that famous back lit Giant Egret shot.  Wing out stretched.  Preening.   Didn’t get it.  I did however like this one.  Kinda looks like he is wearing a “tutu”……

I hope to get back to shooting tomorrow.  Weather permitting!!!

I am in Florida for Photoshop World!

I did bring a couple of hundred pounds of photo gear.  Do you really think I would fly all the way to Florida and not take photograph’s?  Darn rights!!!  I snuck out this morning before the 4 hour “HDR – Class”.

Lot’s of nest building…….

And even more little brats…..

What made my whole day was when I looked back and my wife had picked up one of my cameras and was shooting!!!!  Maybe miracles do happen.  These are just teasers.  What an incredible day.  My wife even had a couple of great shots…..more TK….JC

It’s has been an incredible month or so!  Work is picking up.  Filtering through piles of applications for two new hires.  And gone every night to see an individual close to me that had medical problems.  Literally every night at the hospital.  Day-night-day-night for a month….

The last chance to capture was about a week ago.  I had about two hours in the afternoon.  Drove to Antelope Island.  The long causeway creates an incredible opportunity to photograph Northern Harrier Hawks. Flying 10 to 20 above the edge of the causeway they are hunting.  Out came the 600mm.  Pulled over on the wrong side.  Set the aperture and waited.  Then HE came along head down.  Looking for mice.  Then he would pass.  As he passed, I would fire off 50 or 60 shots.  Then I would back up a thousand feet or so and wait again.  Every time he passed he would look over at me for a split second.  Literally.  One frame of 9 frames per second……Good looking guy!  Man what eyes!!!!

Farmington Management area closes this week.  I think tomorrow.  Up very early this morning for my last chance at some Bald Eagle shots.  Actually I was up every two hours basting 8 lbs. of  beef brisket in my new smoker…..was a dismal failure.  It will take time to get this food smoking thing down.  Back to the eagles….it was a cloudy day.  Photo abilities were being tested.  Bald’s are not the easiest to shoot.  White heads and dark bodies.  Cloudy helps but lends to flat photo’s.  Man, it was fun even if my butt was as cold as a Norbest turkey.  Today my camera and I were at ground level…yes in the ice and mud.  Made for better pic’s!  It was well worth it!!!!!  Going to Wyoming for the week.  Going to miss the Bald’s!!!!!

Juvenile.  Probably one year old.  Not as shy as the adults to a camera.  This beauty landed on a post at FBBR and allowed me to get a few head shots.  Pretty cute guy!!!

9  Days in Guatemala.

Antigua, Chichicostenanga, Tikal, Lake Atitlan.  All locations we travel to and through.  My days…..7 of them spent in the hotel.  Must have ate something.  I won’t go into any detail of my “illness’.  Most of my photography was done in and around the hotels or from bus.  Not what I hoped for.  All in all it is a beautiful place.

Every hotel we stayed at had McCaws with clipped wings to keep them on the grounds.  Easy shooting of an animated bird.

This guy was an absolute riot!  What a character.  Enjoyed a few minutes with him.  He really wanted my camera lens hood.

I was a little trapped with the fact I was shooting a lot of street scenes.  This man above may or may not be homeless.  He was seated outside the wall of a church.  Maybe just a great place to picnic?

We were told by the guides and others that we should ask to photograph the locals.  They have a deep seated religious belief that being photographed has negative consequences.  So I asked.  Pointed my finger at my camera then at the person.  Then had a look on my face like…”may I?”  This lady was selling flowers on the steps of a big cathedral.  I though she was ok with me taking the photograph.  By her look though I am not sure she really wanted me to do it.

There was all modes of transportation.  Families on motorcycles…..

Even crammed into a “tuk- tuk”.   Most were walking.

The company provided a luncheon where dancers performed.  I was not eating much…so I photographed the dancers.

For the next few days I plan on sharing my unique trip in Guatamala.  I hope you enjoy.

Had to get a few shots in tonight…..

I rushed to FBBR tonight minutes before the sun was setting and caught this Harrier Hawk.  She was feasting off some fish remains that the Eagles had left.   Shot with D3S, 600mm f/4, 2x teleconverter, ISO 200 at 1/60, -1/3 EV.  Lucked out with the low light, long lens and little vibration!