Happy Elephant and Rhino Day!

Earlier this week we celebrated International World Rhino Day, albeit a little belated.  But today is Elephant and Rhino Day at Rafiki's Planet Watch and we are right on time!

Elephants are perhaps the most iconic animal at Disney's Animal Kingdom, and have always played a big part in the park's story. 

But some of the best encounters on Kilimanjaro Safaris come courtesy of the rhinos. I will never forget when this big girl walked inches from the truck. 

And then there is the black rhino, one of the more illusive animals on safari. But stay patient, and try the ride a few times, and you make just get him to pose for a glamour shot.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Smile to Warm the Heart

When taking photos of animals, you line up a good angle and take as many shots as quickly as possible and home something good comes out of them. Imagine my joy when I discovered I photographed a baby elephant who was smiling!

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Defending Their Nest

The aviary at the Maharajah Jungle Trek is one of the real gems often missed by the crowds of folks rushing from one ride to another. But this is where you can get some of the best up-close encounter with incredible exotic and beautiful wildlife, like this New Guinea Masked Plover.

In their native land, these harmless looking birds are known for being fierce defenders of their nests, often launching vicious attacks on animals such as cats or dogs. Needless to say, if you have one such nest in your yard keep Rover and Mittens away.

Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Look That Says a Thousand Words

It is not often you get a chance to look into the eyes of one of earth's most magnificent creatures, but that happens every day at Disney's Animal Kingdom. On this day, I got to see the joy and calm of a mother with her infant.

This was one of my favorite days ever at DAK. The buzz and excitement this little baby gorilla generated around the park was amazing. And to get a chance to see mom and her baby together was an unforgettable treat.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Keeping a Head Above the Sand

Contrary to folklore, ostriches do not actually stick their heads in the sand. The obvious reason being they would suffocate. They do, however, often digs holes for their eggs and while tending to them appear to be burring their heads, thus the expression. This one at Kilimanjaro Safaris like to keep above ground level.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Head Above the Rest

Evolution has handed Giraffes quite the advantage by being able to see over the rest of the animals to see where the best food in the area can be found. That must be quite a view they have up there. At Disney's Animal Kingdom hey also have the advantage of the rest of their friends in the habitat not being able to reach their food!

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Time to Kick Back

While some may miss the "Big Red and Little Red" storyline at the end of Kilimanjaro Safaris, few can argue against the addition of the Addax herd. These gorgeous and unique animals have really added something to the iconic attraction.

Addax have certainly faced their fairy share of dangers, but not in the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. Here, they can lower their guard and relax on a lazy summer afternoon.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

For Elephant Day

Today is World Elephant Day so what better way to celebrate it Animal Kingdom style then with a blast from the past. This picture was taken in 1998, a few short months after the opening of the park.

As I am sure you know, the stars of the safari, the main attraction of the park, were elephants, Little Red and Big Red, with a story focused on the plight of poaching. While they might not have been real, these two were and so unfortunately, is the plight.

By Safari Mike

Just Let Me Sleep a Few Minutes Longer

Summer time at Disney's Animal Kingdom is a time when the park is filled with guests, and many are looking for some great animal sighting. The problem is, these animals aren't exactly about to work up a sweat just to put on a show. For example, you will be lucky to spot a lion at all, and if you do he or she will likely be napping the heat away.

But have your camera at the ready anyway. Even a napping lion makes for a great photo!

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Building a better nest

One of the best things about walking around the Animal Kingdom is to see the animals busy doing something. Chasing each other, tending to babies or in this case, building a nest.

This saddle billed stork must be getting ready for a new batch of hatchlings. These guys build their nests with big sticks and the like, much different than small song birds.

By Safari Mike

Keep the Wild Wild

The blue-and-yellow macaw is a stunningly pretty bird, and therefore many of them have been lost due to the pet trade. But they don't make very good pets. They have a piercing screech and a powerful beak which can be used to destroy a lot of things in the average household. So the moral of the story is this; let's keep them in the wild where they belong.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Rhino Skin

One thing about the white rhinos at the Kilimanjaro Safari, they can get awfully close. Here was a shot taken by friend of the blog and show Ellise (follow her on twitter @misselliemouse). She got this great up close shot of the white rhino.

It's so close you get a real nice look at the contours of the skin and just how small their eyes really are. Rhinos are actually nearly blind. The horns on the animal are impressive, too. She would, unfortunately be a prime poaching target is she lived in Africa.

Thanks again to Ellie for the great photo. She gave us more than handful of great safari shots, so you will see more in the future.

By Safari Mike

Leap Tall Building in a Single Bound

The Impala is incredibly gorgeous and are widespread throughout the eastern half of Africa. They are also very athletic, as they can run about 30 miles per hour and can leap over 30 feet with a running start! They also communicate vocally by barking and roaring to their herd.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Surviving Extinction

The scimitar-horned oryx, also known as the Sahara oryx, was declared "extinct in the wild" during the early part of the last decade. They were hunted for their horns and were also the victims of habitat loss and climate change. Now, the existence of the species relies on zoos and other conservation efforts. These oryx were photographed a couple of year back on the main savannah at Kilimanjaro Safaris.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Sleeping in the Lap of Luxury

When I photographed this bachelor gorilla at the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, I watched him for some time trying to figure out what he was doing with that straw. Soon it became apparent that this boy prefers something a little softer and more luxurious to sleep on then just the cold dirty ground.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Good Neighbor

Not all animals at Disney's Animal Kingdom are from the far corners of the world. Some are from right in the Mouse's backyard, including this Roseate Spoonbill which can be found throughout the southern United States, including Florida. They were once hunted near extinction by the fashion industry, but they have come back strong and are no longer listed as endangered.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

That's Quite a Jump!

The Patterson's Eland is big, really big. Some bulls can weigh upwards of 2,000 pounds. But that doesn't mean they aren't capable of incredible feats of athleticism. They guys have often been found broad jumping over one another with little or no running start.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Stork in Dinoland

The Abdim's Stork is one of the smallest storks in existence, yet it is nowhere near a small bird. These guys are almost three feet tall and are often thought to be good luck by Africans living within their range. You can find this one, in all places, Dinoland.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Cranky River Horse

Hippos can weigh over 4,000 pounds, yet they are also great swimmer. In fact, they are probably the closing living land mammal relative to the whale. So much so, that their name means "river horse". Yes, hippos are amazing creatures...they are also REALLY cranky!

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

This Bird Can run

Did you know the ostrich is fast? I mean like crazy fast. And not at flying, because they can't fly. No, the ostrich is an amazingly fast runner, reaching speeds of over 40 miles per hour. And that is really saying something for the largest and heaviest bird on the planet!

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Always a Fan Favorite

With the arrival of the new Sumatran Tiger pair at Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Asian Tiger may soon become a rare sight on the Maharajah Jungle Trek. But even if they move to other zoos, we will never forget how beautiful and awe-inspiring they were.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

The Perfect Glamour Shot

There are some incredibly photogenic animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Animal kingdom Lodge, but probably none more so then the giraffes. Whether the Masai species at DAK, or the reticulated at AKL, they just love the camera. Get a nice zoom lens and you can get some incredible close-ups.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Park Full of Parrots

If I were to guess, I would say the parrot is most represented species at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Now I will admit I haven't done the research on this, but between those at the Oasis and Tree of Life trails, Flights of Wonder and now Winged Encounters, it just feels like you can find a gorgeous and colorful parrot around every corner.

This blue-and-yellow macaw can be found on the often overlooked Tree of Life trails. Just keeping walking and you will find them, and usually someone trying in vain to see if they talk.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Hungry Elephant

It has been a little while since we posted a photo of an elephant. And that’s not good because, after all, elephants are the traditional star of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This one enjoyed posing for the camera in between bites of lunch.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Some Serious Builders

The hamerkop got its name for no better reason then its head resembles a hammer. But I prefer to think the word "hammer" refers to this bird's amazing building ability. It makes HUGE nests which can often support the weight of a full-grown man! Pretty impressive stuff from a little bird. Fortunately, they don't try and turn the aviary at the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail into a giant nest.

by Dave McBride

Panting Away the Heat

Just like your family's four-legged pet dog, lions cool off by panting instead of sweating. And as you can probably imagine, the climate in Florida causes much panting. This girl needed to cool down on a hazy and warm afternoon.

If you come around the corner and see a lion sitting up in full view of the truck, you can bet the next thing you will hear your driver say is "please remain seated"! Lions do attract attention.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Telling a Different Story

Now, this photo may give the impression that the female, the one with the light fur, may be helping a friend by lending a hand. But the truth is, the male was just playing and wouldn’t stop grabbing the females arm. Some pictures don’t tell the whole story.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Crown in the Grass

The majestic West African Crowned Crane is found on the main savanna at Kidani Village. These incredible birds can been seen and heard quite often, but it seems they do occasionally seek some alone time by sneaking into the tall grass.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Hide and Seek With an Okapi

The Okapi exhibit at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of my favorites because it has the unique distinction of being part of two different attractions. You can see these cousins of the giraffe from both Kilimanjaro Safaris and the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Don’t miss them, but be patient. They tend to hide in the forest.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

The Color of Shrimp

There are a few pieces of trivia which have been part of the script at Kilimanjaro Safaris since practically the day it opened. One of those is how flamingoes get their pink color. If you don't know, I won't spoil it for your driver.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Foiled Again!

If there is one animal that seems to be particularly adept at avoiding my camera, it is the cheetah at Kilimanjaro Safaris. My camera is always at the ready as we pass through the White Rhino area and head toward the home of the planet's fastest runner. But alas, even on this occasion when it looked like the stars were finally aligning for me, something caught their attention and the best I could get was the back of their heads.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Exploring the Entire Animal World at DAK

I often hear folks complain that Disney's Animal Kingdom only has animals from Africa and Asia, thus requiring the park open "lands" representing other parts of the world. While adding an Austraila of Arctic would be cool, the park certainly has animals from all over the world there already.

These Caiman Lizards, also referred to Dracaena or water tegu, can be found at Rafiki's Planet Watch. But they call South America their natural home.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

An Owl Named Bayo

Personally, I think Flights of Wonder has one of the best pre-shows in all of Walt Disney World. For one thing, it is almost never the same twice in one day. They have a variety of birds the handlers will bring out, including this majestic Great-Horned Owl.

So the best advice I can give to guests is to get to Flights of Wonder about 15 minutes early. If you do, you may be able to meet Bayo, or one of this friends. You can get with a few feet of them and take some amazing photos.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

The Easy Life at DAK

If my photography of Disney's Animal Kingdom has proved one thing, that is life as a black and white colobus monkey at DAK is not hard!  You can find them near the entrance of the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, but they are often a bit more entertaining then this

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Wings to Impress

Okay, I will admit that on the surface this Lappet-faced Vulture, found near the Tree of Life, may not be the most beautiful bird in the Animal Kingdom. But if you ever get the chance to see him spread his wings you will be blown away. This bird's wingspans can often reach over nine feet long!

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Perfect Day at DAK

To me, nothing says "disney safari" like this photo. This is what I think of, the lasting memory, from any photo trip to Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Kilimanjaro Safaris, an amazing animal, and even a camera (not mine) can be found in this image. There is nothing more exciting then seeing a reticulated giraffe seemingly waiting by the roadside for your camera to come closer.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Little Piece and Quiet

You can find the African Spoonbill in two different locations at Walt Disney World. You can find them in the Oasis, but also at the Jambo House at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, which is where this one was photographed trying to get some piece and quiet from the squawking flamingoes nearby.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Slow Down and Catch the Good Stuff

We often complain about how some guests just blaze through Disney's Animal Kingdom on their way to e-ticket attractions and miss all the cool and hidden gems. Well, let me offer this advice. If you plan to leave the park midday for an afternoon rest at your hotel, give yourself some extra time on the way out to stop in the Oasis and see the animals there. If you don't you will miss species like this impressive rhinoceros iguana.

On the latest episode of the Radio Harambe podcast, we talked in depth about the incredible Oasis Trails. Have a listen for some fun facts about the rhinoceros iguana.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Lioness on Safari

Anyone who has been on the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride will know lions sleep most of their day away. But does anyone know why it always seems the male sleeps way more? It feels like, nine times out of ten, if a lion is awake it is the female. Or is it just, he's a guy? I'm not complaining, mind you. She is certainly impressive.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

From the Forests of Tibet

Parrots are some of the most incredibly beautiful creatures on earth. And many people simply don't realize how many unique species there are in the world. This Derbyan parakeet, pictured here during the Flights of Wonder show, can only be found in Arunachal Pradesh, in the northwest corner of India, and parts of Tibet.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Gibbon Safari

It dawns on me that we have not had a photo of a white-cheeked gibbon on this page for quite some time. So without further delay...

I have so many great photos of these amazing gibbons, I could probably do a gibbon-only photo blog! They are so much fun and the design of the habitat makes them so viewable and photogenic.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

OTTERS!!

The next time you are on Discovery Island, take a minute and go see the Asian Small-Clawed Otter exhibit. As you enter the park, it is on the path to the right of the Tree of Life heading towards Africa. If you are lucky, you will see these guys playing and romping around.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Lunch at Pemba

Kidani Village is my favorite resort in all of Walt Disney World. It is quiet, incredibly gorgeous, and full of surprises. Head down to the pool and look to your right to see a whole separate savanna which is home to these kudus and okapi.

When I took this photo, I just happened to stop by Pemba with my camera just as lunch was being served. The okapi got to the buffet first and took off with the biggest piece.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe

Life is an Amazing Thing

Yes, it is. And it takes on an even more amazing quality when dealing with a species threatened with extinction. But zoos and conservations organizations are doing what they can, and at Disney's Animal Kingdom they can be the home and nursery for a new generation, like this little guy getting ready to feed on a lazy and carefree afternoon under the protection of the Pangani Forest.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

The Way A Rhino's Life Should Be

I just love this photo. With all of the talk in the news about the constant threat of poaching rhinos face in the wild, there really is nothing better then to see one at Disney's Animal Kingdom just relaxing and loving life. I just wish all White Rhinos could live the life this guy has.

But they can't. Instead they live under perpetual fear of extinction at the hands of human stupidity and greed. But we can help. Go to Save the Rhino and make a donation.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Extinction

The blesbok and the bontebok are closely related, and are often mistaken for each other. The big difference, besides the physical characteristics, is the blesbok is essentially extinct in the wild. But Disney's Animal Kingdom has a few of these magnificent animals, including this one.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

The Largest Pigeon

Islands often are home to unique indigenous species of all sorts. The Victoria Crowned Pigeon, like this one found on the Maharajah Jungle Trek are only found on the islands of northern New Guinea. These handsome, and mostly ground roaming pigeons, are the largest breed of pigeons found in the world.

I'vr seen this bird Maharajah aviary dozens and dozens of times, but this photo was the first time I ever noticed the incredible giraffe pattern markings on their legs.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)