Picture This!

Barrie, Lisa and myself would like to welcome you to a new feature here on the Picture This! Photo Blog. One of the things you told us you wanted to see in the survey we conducted back in April was more theme park photography. In response, we are going to post three Disney Pic of the Week entries, one from each of us, every week. To add even more interest (we hope!), each week will have a theme for us to follow and subjects will not be limited to just Walt Disney World but any Disney property or event in the world.

I get the honor of introducing the first Disney Pic of the Week theme which is (drum roll, please)...Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival

Butterfly topiary at Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60s, f/3.5, 200 ISO, -0.3 EV, 18mm Focal Length

This butterfly topiary was just outside the entrance to Minnie's Magnificent Butterfly Garden during Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival in 2007. It was very late in the day and I used my camera's onboard flash to add just a bit more light to bring out the colors of the topiary's flowers.

Oh, I almost forget. Disney Pic of the Week's will be published on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Shiver me timbers, it's Captain Hook and he's trying to take over Peter Pan's Never Land Garden. A new addition to this year's festivities, the garden was located in the Imagination Walkway and features not only Captain Hook but Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, and his worst nightmare, a crocodile. Tick tock. Tick tock.

Canon Powershot S5 IS, f8, 1/125, ISO 100

Read more about Epcot's yearly Flower and Garden Festival.

Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/400s shutter, f5.3

The China Pavilion in Epcot celebrates the Flower and Garden Festival with a display of Chinese Zodiac topiaries. My Pic of the Week is a topiary depicting the year of the monkey. If you were born in 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992 or 2004 you’re a monkey person!

This week's pictorial theme is Rides.

An intriguing and famous image we've all seen is that of Walt Disney walking through Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland. What you see off in the distance behind him is King Arthur Carrousel, one of the park's original attractions. Sitting in the center of Fantasyland, it draws kids and adults alike with its beautiful handcarved horses, lustrous royal colors and enchanting music.

Canon EOS A2, Canon 75-300 USM, Fujicolor Pro 400H

Be sure to check out both Barrie's and Scott's Disney Pic of the Week this Thursday and Saturday.

Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 7secs shutter, f10, ISO 200

My ride Pic of the Week was taken while whirling high above the Fantasyland crowds on Dumbo the Flying Elephant. I used an extra long shutter speed to blur the lights of Cinderella’s Carrousel as I passed by.

At speed on Test Track's high banked turns in Epcot.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/40s, f/8, 200 ISO, -0.3 EV, 18mm Focal Length

I'm a big NASCAR fan. I even did Richard Petty's Driving Experience once at Walt Disney World. For my Disney Pic of the Week featuring a Ride, I picked the next best thing to feeling like you are on a big track which is riding the high banks on Test Track in Epcot's Future World. In this picture I sat in the back seat to get more of the car, slowed the camera's shutter speed down to capture the motion of the car on the track and rode it late in the day for better lighting. I secured the camera with the strap around my neck and looped around my wrists.

This week Lisa, Scott and I will be sharing night photos in our Pic of the Week series. One of the most common questions I hear is, “When is the best time to visit Walt Disney World?” My favorite answer to that question is “After dark!” It’s less crowded, cooler and absolutely beautiful! There’s no better place to take night photos than Walt Disney World.

Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1.2 second shutter, f8

My Pic of the Week is from Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is Grauman’s Chinese Theatre which houses the Great Movie Ride. I love how dramatic the lighting makes this building look against the dark sky.

Be sure to check back on Thursday and Saturday to see Scott and Lisa's night photo picks.

The Morocco pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase at night.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/10s, f/3.5, 1600 ISO, -0.6 EV, 18mm Focal Length

The Koutoubia Minaret (prayer tower) in Epcot's Morocco pavilion is beautifully lighted every night and makes an excellent Disney Pic of the Week for our Night theme.

This building in Disneyland formerly housed Carousel of Progress. Personally, I wish it were still there.

Inside Innoventions you'll find video games, trivia contests, a glance into electronics that are coming our way and opening any day now, Dream Home. I haven't seen it but the images I have seen of the previous Home of the Future makes me think of those old cartoons where Goofy carried his house around in a briefcase. I love those cartoons.

Canon EOS A2, Canon 28-90mm, Fujicolor NPS 160.

This week's Disney Pic of the Week theme is Parades!

Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/100s, f/4.2, 400 ISO, +0.3 EV, 35mm Focal Length

The chimpanzee puppeteer entertains guests during Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The colors, costumes, music and floats with Disney characters and guests makes for one of the "fun-est" parades at Walt Disney World.

Barrie and Lisa will be along this Thursday and Saturday to share some of their parade pictures.

For those of you who haven't experienced Pixar Block Party Bash yet, it is a high energy, bold colored, character-filled explosion of a street party. While seldom seen Monsters Inc. creatures George Sanderson (orange fellow with the sock on his back), Needleman (big red nose, horns on side of head), and Smitty (large, green, moptop hair) excite fans, gymnasts flip and bounce on trampoline's. Little Green Men call out orders, acknowledge guests, and attempt to dance to an eclectic mix of party tunes like Celebration, Dancing in the Street, and Macarena.

Canon Powershot S5 IS

Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
que tu cuerpo es pa' dale alegria cosa buena
dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
hey Macarena, ahi.

Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/1000s, f5.6

My Pic of the Week is from the Disney Dreams Come True Parade in the Magic Kingdom. I was standing in front of the flagpole where I was able to get an unobstructed head-on view of the Grand Marshall, Mickey Mouse, leading the parade down Main Street USA. By using my telephoto lens I was able to exaggerate the size of the castle, making it look as if it towered over the parade.

No matter which Disney park you are visiting or attempting to hide overnight in, you'll discover lots of visuals to catch your attention, even when you're waiting on line. Thus, Barrie, Scott and I present to you this week's theme, Queues.

My entry comes from Snow White's Scary Adventure at Disneyland.

Did you know that if you tap the top of the apple upon entering the queue, you'll get a surprise?

Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/20s shutter, f3.8, 800 ISO

I think the best queue in all of Disney World has got to be the Expedition Everest queue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I could spend hours in that line just looking at all the amazingly cool stuff! Of course, that doesn’t keep me from using Fastpass whenever possible!

One of the creepy statues in the Tower of Terror gardens framed by American Sycamore trees.
Nikon Coolpix 995, 1/125s, f/4.4, 200 ISO, 0 EV

It is my opinion the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is the best themed attraction at Walt Disney World. A few years ago, and before Disney invented FastPass, I spent a long time in the Tower's queue which snakes through some overgrown gardens before you enter the lobby. When looking around, I spied this creepy looking statue through some American Sycamore trees. I felt it would make a good contribution to the Disney Pic of the Week Queue Line theme.

This week Lisa, Scott and I will be sharing photos from the Disney resorts in our Pic of the Week series. Disney really does it right when it comes to creating beautiful and interesting resorts. Some are fun and whimsical, while others are just plain gorgeous. From the value resorts to the deluxe, there’s no shortage of fabulous photo opportunities. It was hard to narrow it down to just one photo this week.

Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 8.7secs shutter, f8, ISO 200

I decided to lead us off with my favorite place to stay, the Boardwalk Villas in Walt Disney World. This Disney Vacation Club resort is especially pretty at night with all the lights reflecting on the water. It was so quiet and peaceful when I took this shot. It’s hard to imagine all the bustling activity that took place earlier in the evening.

Don’t forget to check back on Thursday and Saturday to see Lisa and Scott’s resort photo picks.

Pop Century Resort's 1950's building and bowling alley pool area.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60s, f/4, 200 ISO, +0.3 EV, 18mm Focal Length

As an avid bowler, when I came upon Pop Century's 1950's area, I was thrilled. The huge bowling pin stairwells, the sock-hop icons on the buildings and the bowling pin and alley themed pool put a big old smile on my face and perfect for my Disney Pic of the Week Resort theme photo. To come upon it early in the morning with great light and not a guest to be seen was, well, cool. It's too bad those bowling balls are not disguised floatation devices.

It goes without saying that I absolutely LOVE Disneyland. On those occasions when I've been able to treat myself to a stay on property, my number one choice is Paradise Pier Hotel.

If you enjoy beach theming and soft pastel colors as much as I do then you too will adore the rooms and decor there. There's something extra sensational about looking at all the twinkling lights and hearing the music coming from the park when you stay in a room that faces Disney's California Adventure.

You can see the hotel behind the Orange Stinger. Just imagine the view from one of those high floor rooms. This is my entry for Disney Pics of the Week.

What sets a Disney themepark apart from the all the others is the attention to detail. Some details are little and some large. Some go unnoticed until pointed out or stumbled upon. The latter is what happened to me a couple of years ago. Thus I introduce you to this week's Disney Pic of the Week theme: Theming Detail.

Main St. Railroad Station at the Main Street USA Station platform.
Nikon D70/18-70G, 1/8s, f/4.5, 1600 ISO, 0 EV, 52mm focal length

I was on the platform where the Walt Disney World RailRoad trains take on and disburse guests. I had my back to Main St. Railroad Office as I was concentrating on taking pictures down Main Street USA. I turned around and there it was. An authentic turn of the 20th Century office for a railroad. Like all of Main Street, the attention to detail right down to the sepia photos and conductor cap makes you feel like time hasn't passed at all. The next time you are waiting for a parade or fireworks show on this platform, turn around like I did. You will find other items in this office to discover.

Lisa and Barrie will be along later this week to share their theming detail photos.

As you recall, this week's category is theming and so I submit 2 images for your viewing. The first, is found on the Disney Wonder, as Mickey's hand points to the floor where the elevator is currently...elevating.

The 2nd photograph is that of a metal identification tag, if you will, nailed into a post on Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.

Copyright © 2008 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/13s shutter, f5.6

My Pic of the Week detail comes from Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel in the Magic Kingdom. Along the top of the carrousel are several vignettes, each featuring a different scene from Cinderella’s story. These are just a couple of the panels. I’ll leave the rest for you to capture on your next trip.

Copyright © 2008 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/20s shutter, f5.6

This week's assignment is mammals and it was a challenge for me because I don't have many animal photos from...Animal Kingdom. Why? I have been to zoos so many times (I love them) that I've become a bit of a zoo snob. If you're ever in Miami, Florida, check out The Miami Metro Zoo.

I thought to myself, where else have I photographed animals. My first self-answer was Disneyland! Of course they are photos of me feeding feral cats and that's not very exciting to anyone but me.

Now what do I use? Pluto? No, I can't get away with that. Shamu? Wrong park besides I don't have any pics of Shamu. My cat? I could super impose her into Earl of Sandwich. She loves turkey breast. I thought and thought and scoured my digital files and found shots I had done back in 2006 for a project.

With super duper extra special thanks to my friend John for helping me out when my photo editing software program failed to work properly, here is my entry:

Ken, the ruggedly handsome cowboy, alongside a pony at the Tri-Circle D Ranch at Fort Wilderness.

Be sure to come back on Thursday and Saturday for Barrie and Scott's Disney Pics of the Week. Yeehaw!

Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/1000s shutter, f5.6

I chose this chimpanzee from Disney’s Animal Kingdom as my Pic of the Week for mammal week. This was as close a shot as I could get with my 18-200mm telephoto lens. What I wouldn’t do for a 400mm lens at Animal Kingdom!

The Alpha Male Gorilla as seen from the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.
Nikon D70/80-200D, 1/60s, f/5.6, 400 ISO, +0.3 EV, 200mm Focal Length

After disembarking from your Kilimanjaro Safari, I recommend taking the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail back to the African village of Harambe in Disney's Animal Kingdom. From the trail, you may come face to face with some of Animal Kingdom's great apes, the Sliverback Gorillas, in the glass viewing area. After checking out the excellent educational displays, I encourage you to continue on to the suspension bridge. This is where you'll often find the Alpha Male Gorilla, the leader of the family. For this photo, he was just appearing on to his favorite "pride" rock for the morning. He makes a wonderful example for my Disney Pic of the Week theme on Mammals.

Who is more popular than a rock star, signs more autographs than a movie star and poses for more photos than a top model? Just about any Disney character, that’s who! This week in our Pic of the Week series, Lisa, Scott and I will be sharing a few of our Disney character photos with you.

Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/320s shutter, f9

Winnie the Pooh is one of my favorite characters. What a lovable ball of fur! Here he is on his float in the Disney Dreams Come True Parade at the Magic Kingdom.

Don’t forget to check back on Thursday and Saturday to see Lisa and Scott’s character photo picks.

I'll conclude this week's theme, characters, with some extremely humorous images of Pluto taken at Disney's California Adventure. During my latest visit "home," I waited in line to meet Pluto and when he realized I just wanted photos of him, he told me in gesture, to wait a moment while he thought. In less than a minute he began posing and modeling for me. It was the absolute highlight of my day.

Please put your paws (or hands) together for Pluto, the Supermodel!



Canon 30D and Canon EF-S 17-84mm USM IS

Believe it or not, there's a whole lot you can do at Walt Disney World besides spending time in one of the themeparks. Besides swimming at your resort, there are all sorts of recreational activities like golf, minature golf, surfing, tennis, horseback riding, parasailing, waterskiing, driving a race car and fishing. What did you say? Fishing? There are some hardy people who get up early (just like us photographers will for the AllEars.net Picture This! PhotoWalk at Mousefest) so they can go after the big ones.

To lead off this week's Disney Pic of the Week theme on Recreation, I choose this photograph of some fishermen who are not only enjoying some early morning fishing but where else in the world could they see a monorail quietly going by while they are doing it?

Barrie and Lisa will be along with their Recreational photos on Thursday and Saturday.

Fishing on Bay Lake.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/800s, f/7.1, 200 ISO, -0.3 EV, 200mm Focal Length

When I saw the list of themes that Barrie, Scott, and I were going to cover in these, our Disney Pic of the Week blogs, I panicked a bit. You see, I come from a family of non-athletes and so sports and major physical activities aren't something I look for, especially at Walt Disney World. Sure I can swing a golf club so long as the ball is only supposed to roll about 25-30 feet away from me but even that can be cause for mass hysteria. Just ask anyone who's mini-golfed with me.

I joked with Barrie that I had THE perfect photo for this series but I second guessed myself and therefore looked up the definition of "recreation". Thankfully, I was right. With the approval from www.dictionarycom, I give you my entry.

Taken with the Canon PowerShot S5 IS at Caribbean Beach.

recreation–noun
1. refreshment by means of some pastime, agreeable exercise, or the like.
2. a pastime, diversion, exercise, or other resource affording relaxation and enjoyment.

Hiya kids! This week Barrie, Scott, and I will share some of our favorite photos of Main Street with you. Just the thought of walking down Main Street is sure to put a smile on your face. Right now I can smell the English toffee coming from the Candy Kitchen in Disneyland. I see the lamp posts glowing and I can hear the sound of metal horseshoes clanking on the pavement.

And while all of these images are certainly wonderful photographs, I'm going to take a slightly different approach this week.

I remember quite clearly when in the early 2000's Disneyland wasn't as pristine as it should have been. Then a new sheriff came to town in late 2003 by the name of Matt Ouimet. He turned things around rather quickly, making the park shine again by having the Enchanted Tiki Room refurbished to a beautiful paradise and had all of the burnt out bulbs replaced, and Snow White's Grotto cleaned up. He did a fine job of leading the way and getting the park ready for it's 50th anniversary.

With this one photo I'd like to applaud all of the men and women who made Disneyland a sparkling, gorgeous, and glorious part of America once again. You should all be proud. Thank You!

People checking in for their dining reservation at The Plaza Restaurant on Main Street USA.
Nikon D70/18-70G, 1/160s, f/6.3, 200 ISO, +0.3 EV, 18mm Focal Length

Do you think Main Street USA ends at Casey's Corner and the Plaza Ice Cream Palor? It actually extends around both corners to include the Crystal Palace and Plaza Restaurants. The photo above of the Plaza Restaurant is my selection for this week's Disney Pic of the Week theme on Main Street USA. My two daughters rate this restaurant a 10 out of 10 and has the best grilled sandwiches at Walt Disney World. Honest, that's what they've told me.

This week’s theme for Pic of the Week is indoor photography. Although it might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of taking pictures in Walt Disney World, there are loads of great indoor photo opportunities. Lisa, Scott and I have chosen three very different examples to share with you this week.

Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/13s shutter, f5.6, ISO 1600

In the World Showcase at Epcot, Mexico is a wonderful place to practice your indoor photography. This dragon is one of the Oaxacan wood carvings that you’ll see when you first enter the pavilion.

A quick story to share first. Way, waaaay, way back in October of 2004, I finally got my grandparents to go to Walt Disney World with me. One of the attractions we enjoyed was Living with the Land. Now, you and I know this is a slow moving boat ride that explains how produce, plants, and vegetables can be grown outside of common thinking. Well, you know the early part of the ride when you sail by the vegetation and farm scenes. You know how it's a teeny bit misty there? My baubie (bubbe if you spell it properly unlike us) grabbed onto my arm and said if she knew it was going to rain indoors she'd have brought her raincoat. Hee hee. I laugh every time I think of that. Whoooo.

When you have an opportunity to solely use natural light for indoor shots, take full advantage of it. Nothing is better than that giant fireball in the sky we call the sun. The greenhouse is filled with beautiful colors, shapes, and textures. Shoot as much as you can with a high shutterspeed to avoid blur because afterall you are riding through in a boat.

Canon EOS 30D, Canon 28-135mm USM IS, f7.1, 1/200, ISO 1250

If there is one thing a Disney themepark has plenty of it's SIGNS. Signs telling you where you parked, what bus to take, when a show starts, who to see, and how to use the emergency bag in Mission: Space. There are humorous signs, serious signs, small signs, huge signs and purple road signs. So, this week's Disney Pic of the Week theme is (you guessed it) signs.

People tend to forget when they enter Disney's Hollywood Studios, they are entering one very large movie set. In essence, the backlot starts at the Studio's entrance. If you look at the signs, you'll get the feeling you are on a working set in almost every corner. This sign was across from the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular entrance.

A movie set sign across from the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular in Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/80s, f/5.6, 200 ISO, +0.6 EV, 31mm Focal Length

Lisa and Barrie will be along on Thursday and Saturday showing you some of their favorite Disney signs.

This week's entry was extra difficult for me because I have a large sum of photographs of signs at Disneyland. Oy, the stress. Do I use this one? Is it not as funny as I think it is? How about this one? Maybe the readers haven't been to Disneyland and don't recognize it. What to do!? What to do?! I settled on just one, something that you'll easily identify whether or not you have been to my home away from home.

Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/80s shutter, f4.5, ISO 800

There is no such thing as a simple sign in Disney World. My Pic of the Week is the postal and shipping area in Disney’s Wonderful World of Memories store at Downtown Disney. I’m notoriously bad at writing but this just makes me want to send someone a postcard!

She'll be coming 'round Space Mountain when she comes. She'll be coming 'round Thunder Mountain when she comes. She'll be coming 'round Splash Mountain, she'll be coming 'round Mt. Everest. she'll be coming 'round Matterhorrrrnnnn when she comes. Yeaaaah. (jazz hands)

In case that was too subtle, this week's theme is mountains and I'm not talking about Old Smokey, all covered in cheese. Whether or not you've conquered the drenching onslaught of water you should never drink at Splash Mountain, the Yeti representin' the West Coast in Matterhorn or the Yeti protecting the East Coast turf in Mt. Everest you still look at them in wonderment.

Today, I give you the basic shot of Splash Mountain in the Magic Kingdom as taken with a Nikon Coolpix 7600. It's nothing fancy unless you count my intentional angle of shooting from a Smurf's viewpoint.

Come back on Thursday and Saturday for other mountainous photos from Barrie (who lost her poor meatball) and Scott (who sneezed).

Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/500s shutter, f11

My Pic of the Week is a photo from my favorite Disney mountain, Expedition Everest, in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We had nearly reached the summit when I took this picture of the damaged track up ahead. Obviously, there was no getting past that point! Hopefully, it’ll be fixed and we’ll make it past the Yeti when I return to Anandapur for another go at reaching the top.

Fall colors surround Space Mountain in mid-December.
Nikon D70/18-70G, 1/160s, f/6.3, 200 ISO, +0.3 EV, 50mm Focal Length

Normally, you don't think of fall colors when you think of Walt Disney World unless some Disney Imagineers work their magic during a Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. For my Disney Pic of the Week Mountain theme, I chose this fall-like scene of Space Mountain which was taken from the Resort Monorail as it was waiting for traffic to clear the Contemporary Resort station during Mousefest back in 2006. It was a cool, clear day and the trees surrounding this Disney mountain were showing some color.

You may recognise this photo as it has appeared in a couple of other Picture This! Photographic Innoventions in the past: Showing how to use an HDTV to display photos and as a work of art hanging in a museum.

A good way to add drama to a digital photograph is to convert it to black and white. This week we’ll showcase some black and white photos from around Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Look for Lisa and Scott’s Pic of the Week photos on Thursday and Saturday.

Copyright © 2006 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/500s shutter, f5.6

I really love black and white when it’s applied to portraits of people. This is Malificent in front of Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom. She looks very foreboding, doesn’t she? She really knows how to give someone the eye!

In the color version of this photo, your attention is drawn very much to the bright colors of her make-up and costume. Also, the color in her staff and some of the stage decorations that are behind her are distracting.

When I converted it to black and white, the photo looked much more striking and dramatic. In black and white, the distractions become less noticeable and the focus of the photo is shifted to Malificent’s intensity. Anytime you can draw attention to an emotion in your photo it is going to make it more interesting. Black and white photography can really help to do that.

The Tower of Terror Lobby as it would have looked like in an episode of the Twilght Zone TV show.
Nikon D70/18-70G, 1/160s, f/6.3, 200 ISO, +0.3 EV, 50mm Focal Length

This week's Disney Pic of the Week Black & White theme gave me an opportunity to show you what the lobby of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror would have been like in one of those classic Rod Serling produced episodes.

When I was in photography school, I used to argue with my Photojournalism teacher. I was 100% certain that I only wanted to shoot in color and at the time it was because I was completely entranced by the crystal blue oceans, bright green grass, and constant sunshine of California. No, I wasn't living in CA (yet) but I'd made a few trips out West and well, everything just looked more vivid there.

I learned quickly though that black and white photos have their own place in my world. And as the years go on, the photojournalist in me enjoys shooting in B&W even more.

While looking for detail in Disneyland's Fantasyland, I saw this metal sign attached to Pinocchio's Daring Journey.

I find it to be both elegant and simplistic and for those familiar with the movie, it'll give you visuals of various scenes from the classic tale.

This week's theme for our Disney Pic of the Week is Birds. Naturally, I went through my Animal Kingdom shots looking for birds. As you know, most birds fly. The subject of my photo, an Ostrich, does not. He is, however, the second fastest animal on Earth, and the fastest 2 legged animal, and can run 45 miles per hour (70 km. per hour). Ostriches can maintain that speed for at least 30 minutes.

The Ostrich is the largest bird in the world.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/200s, f/7.1, 800 ISO, 0 EV, 65mm Focal Length

Barrie and Lisa will share their Disney bird photography this coming Thursday and Saturday.

I really love photography and wish I had the time to learn more about this amazing hobby.

I couldn't resist adding one of my favorite bird photos to the PhotoBlog Pic of the Week.

This photo is of an Animal Kingdom Greater Flamingo that I took February 2008. You can also find the Flamingos at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Uzima Savannah.

The Greater Flamingo is the largest in the flamingo family.

This photo was taken with my Canon S5 IS. I set the camera on a near by post to steady it.

Exposure time: 1/1600
Shutter speed: 1/1613.80
F-stop: 4.5
ISO speed: 80
Focal length: 72.0000
Exposure mode: Auto
White balance: Auto
Aperture: 4.3438

P.S. I didn't tell the PhotoBloggers I'd be adding a photo...hope it's ok!!!

As Scott previously stated, this week's theme is birds. I love birds but I'm especially fascinated by parrots. I think it started when I was a child and we'd visit my aunt and uncle in Miami. They had tons of animals, including a few parrots. One of them would call to my cousin whenever the phone rang, "Ellis, telephone." Another would whistle at my aunt. Those birds gave me very happy memories.

Disney's Animal Kingdom is home to a great variety of birds including several types of macaws. Here we have a Hyacinth Macaw doing what comes naturally.

If you'd like to explore and learn more about birds, visit Jungle Island (formerly Parrot Jungle) in Miami.

Copyright © 2008 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/160s shutter, f5.6

For my Pic of the Week I chose this photo of a Snowy Egret I took in Frontierland last January. He didn’t seem to have a care in the world. Perhaps that is because he has feathers instead of fur!

Welcome to another installation of Disney Pic of the Week. Today, I'll erect this week's theme with a shot of Cirque du Soleil's tent situated at Downtown Disney Westside. Inside you'll find their show La Nouba. I haven't seen it myself but I have visited the gift shop.

Canon EOS 30D with Canon 17-40mm USM L IS shot at f14, 10 seconds, ISO 250

Stay tuned for Scott and Barrie's structurly sound entries on Thursday and Saturday.

Copyright © 2008 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 26s shutter, f8

Choosing a Pic of the Week for architecture was really hard! Walt Disney World is an amazing place to take architectural photos and I love that kind of photography. So let’s just say I have more than a few photos that would have worked for this week. Narrowing it down to just one was definitely a challenge. I ended up picking this night time photo of the Japan pavilion in Epcot for no other reason than it makes me remember being there.

Replica of the Stave Church in Epcot's Norway pavilion.
Nikon Coolpix 995, 1/250s, f/5.2, 100 ISO

My entry for the Disney Pic of the Week on Architecture can be found in Epcot's Norway pavilion. The Stave Church is a replica of the Gol Stave church found in the Norwegian Folk Museum in Oslo, Norway. Don't forget, as the AllEars.net webpage will tell you, there's an exhibit inside where you'll learn about some very famous Vikings.

The theme for this week’s Pic of the Week is Fireworks! The fireworks shows in Disney parks are truly spectacular events. This week, Lisa, Scott and I will be sharing some of our favorite photos from the breathtaking fireworks displays that Disney produces.

Copyright © 2008 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 2.4s shutter, f11

This photo was taken at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween P