Jump Right In!

It is almost impossible to not use the word "cute" when looking at the Asian Small-Clawed Otters found on Discovery Island by the Tree of Life.  These guys are adorable and very fun to watch, as they chase each other around the habitat.  This photo was taken just seconds before the otter dove into the water head first.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Jungle Jim's Animal Portraits: A Walking Nap?

One of the things you may not know about Jungle Jim is that he doesn't go to Disney's Animal Kingdom all that often.  He is a dedicated full-time tourist who travels the world in search of the perfect Pina Colada or just the right pair of Bermuda shorts.  But when he does get to DAK, he often sends us more than a couple stunning animal portraits, like this beautifully detailed close-up of a bull elephant at Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Notice how his eyes are closed.  When I first picked this photo, I went back into Jim's files to look for another just like it but without what assumed was just blinking eyes.  Like most photographers, Jim takes dozens of images all at once to capture as many photos as possible.  And with this elephant he had about three dozen all from the same angle and all within the same thirty second timeframe as the elephant walked slowly across the field of view.  But what stunned me was that in every single photo, this guy had his eyes closed?  He was walking with his eyes closed?  Was it too bright?  Or was he taking an elephant's version of a midday nap?

Roan Antelope Stares Back

The Animal Kingdom Lodge offers perhaps the best opportunity for great photos of Africa's amazing animals.  Give yourself some time and take plenty of shots, and you can have an absolute library of great photos.  This one is of the Roan Antelope found at the Jambo House a few years back.  

This antelope seemed to stare into my camera lens for what seemed like five minutes.  I like this show because the back light brings out the incredible horn structure.  Thanks pal!

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Siamang Action

While they may spend most of their time way up in the air, and far away from your camera, the troop of Siamangs make from some great photography.  You may not get the detail and the close-ups we always like, but you will get some great action shots.

It may cause a little bit of a stiff-neck, but it's worth it.  These guys are hilarious to watch and magnificently athletic.   Some of the moves they pull off at this altitude can be amazing.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Jungle Jim's Animal Portraits: Giraffe in Heaven

If you are looking to take some animal photos at Disney's Animal Kingdom or the Animal Kingdom Lodge, you will notice there are a few species that just seem to love the camera.  The giraffes are certainly near the top of that list, and Jungle Jim has dozens and dozens of great portraits of these popular and lovable creatures.

Even someone who only takes photos occasionally, and uses a phone or cheap camera, can get some great shots of the giraffes, especially at Kidani Village.  Just be patient and wait for them to come closer.  The reward can be worth the wait.

Horns in the Woods

I, for one, love the addition of the Addax herd to the end of the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride.  They are strikingly beautiful animals and the fact that there is only a handful left in the wild makes for a great conservation story.  But, for reasons I can't quite understand, they are very hard for me to photograph!

There is something about the lighting in that area that makes it difficult.  Sunlight beams through the thick forest and reflects brightly off the animal's white fur and it drives my lens crazy!!  The movement of the trucks in this area doesn't help either.  Also, the addax seem to know exactly where in the habitat to stand to best avoid the cameras.  I promise, I will do better...

by Dave McBride (@RadiHarambe)

Because I'm Happy!

Flights of Wonder may top the list of the "under-appreciated attractions" at Disney's Animal Kingdom.  And one of those reasons for that is most people tend to ignore it, and end up missing seeing some incredible birds like this majestic Hyacinth macaw, who always seems to be happy and smiling for the cameras.

Hyacinth macaws are the biggest of the flying parrots.  (Yes, there are flightless parrots.)  Unfortunately, photographs tend not to properly portray the size but this bird was probably almost 3 feet from tail to beak.  Notice a handler isn't trying to hold him.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Something of a Reluctant Arrangement

Jungle Jim spotted these two wildebeests during a trip to the Animal Kingdom.  As the story goes, the one on the left was enjoying a quiet, peaceful and solitary afternoon until the one on the right decided to join in.  The look on their faces says this may have been something of a reluctant arrangement.

Despite their somewhat less than adorable appearance, the wildebeest is one of the single most important species to the ecosystem of the african plains.  To learn more about them, check out Safari Mike's recent posting.

Photo by Jungle Jim

Just Resting Her Eyes

I really could make an entire blog of just tiger photographs I have taken over the years at the Maharajah Jungle Trek, I have that many photos in my archive.  And this is a favorite of mine from around 2007 or so.

I simply love the chilled out and relaxed expression this girl has.  My wife has this look a lot on a weekend afternoon and when I ask if she is taking a nap the response I get is "I'm just resting my eyes."  Life is good in Disney's Animal Kingdom I guess.

photo by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Room With a View

How many time have you gone past the lion habitat on Kilimanjaro Safaris only to see a sleeping lump in the brush?  Well, on this trip we were able to see a sleeping lump in a much better position for photographing.

We all know from the narration the drivers give us that a lion pretty much sleeps a large portion of its life away.  Sounds good to me, and it also sounds a lot like my airedale's life ambition as well.

by Dave McBride