Night time at Disney parks is usually the right time for photos. Here's a view of Paradise Pier at night at the California Adventure in Disneyland.
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Monday, 2 July 2012
Disney's Animal Kingdom has a new addition - a baby Okapi.
The 35-pound female baby named "Nafuna," which means delivered feet first, was born June 21 and guest will be able to catch a glimpse of the baby in a few months at the Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Ituri Forest, according to a Disney news release.
Nafuna was born to mother Zawadi and father Akili.
Here are some Okapi facts from Disney:
The 35-pound female baby named "Nafuna," which means delivered feet first, was born June 21 and guest will be able to catch a glimpse of the baby in a few months at the Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Ituri Forest, according to a Disney news release.
Nafuna was born to mother Zawadi and father Akili.
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| The newborn Nafuna, photo by Disney. |
- Newborns can stand up within 30 minutes of birth and will nurse for the first time within an hour of birth.
Newborns have the same coloring as an adult but have a short fringe of hair along the spine, which generally disappears by the time they are 12 to 14 months old. - Okapi's stripes work as camouflage when hiding in the partial sunlight that filters through the forest canopies of Africa.
- Okapis, which are considered rare in the wild, are believed to be related to the zebra because of their stripes, but they are actually related to the giraffe.
- Okapi are typically solitary animals, living alone or in mother-offspring pairs. They are extremely wary and secretive, making making it very difficult to observe in the lowland rainforest of central Africa where they make their home.
- Adult okapi can reach weights of 550-720 pounds with females typically being larger than males. They can live over 30 years in zoological facilities.
- Female okapi vocalize with a soft “chuff” during courtship and when calling to their calves. There are infrasonic qualities to their call, which are below the frequency that the human ear can detect.
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Every time I go to Disney World I enjoy the wonderment of the fireworks. There's nothing like watching the bursts of light over Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom or seeing the World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot light up.And just as the fireworks explode, I am always amused by the lights erupting from the audience as spectators try to capture what is taking place in the sky.
No matter how many photos I've taken over the years I still have not mastered fireworks photography. Paul Gowder and Matt Pasant have come up with an iPhone app to try and help travelers like me. Their Fireworks Photography Field Guide provides some basic tips for photographers of all levels with great examples of what your fireworks photos can look like.
The app is divided into four sections: the basic field guide, gear, composition and examples. The gear section tells you everything you need to take the perfect photo, and the field guide provides all the settings you need for your DSLR camera.
Where the app could use some improvement is in providing tips for folks who aren't using a tripod, which is a situation many people find themselves in when going to Disney or even attending a July 4th event. And, while the composition tips are helpful, I would love to know some of the best places to set up for fireworks photography at Disney.
The photo examples by Gowder and Pasant are phenomenal; it's obvious they know how to shoot and how to capture fireworks. But guys: Tell us some of your real personal secrets and favorite locations. Also, let us know where you were standing when you shot the photos you are showing.
For 99 cents the app is worth downloading, if only for easy access to the tips -- whether going to Disney or someplace else -- but let's hope the next update will give us even more tips.
Congratulations to Off Kilter, the Celtic rock band, on celebrating 15 years playing at the Canada Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase at Disney World.
If you've never spent the time hanging out at the stage and listening, it is well worth the time. They do a fantastic job of rocking up traditional Celtic tunes as well as Bachman-Turner Overdrive's "Takin' Care of Business.
The band consists is made up of: Jamie Holton, the bagpiper, singer and founder of the band; Mark Wheldon, the bass player, lead singer and co-founder; Scott Zymowsk,i the drummer; Tony Escapa, keyboards; and Randy Holbrook, lead guitar player.
If you've never spent the time hanging out at the stage and listening, it is well worth the time. They do a fantastic job of rocking up traditional Celtic tunes as well as Bachman-Turner Overdrive's "Takin' Care of Business.
The band consists is made up of: Jamie Holton, the bagpiper, singer and founder of the band; Mark Wheldon, the bass player, lead singer and co-founder; Scott Zymowsk,i the drummer; Tony Escapa, keyboards; and Randy Holbrook, lead guitar player.
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| © Steven Liebman |
For years I've had a very cute Disney sweatshirt featuring a befuddled Tigger stashed in the back of a closet. The truth is it never quite fit me right, but I couldn't bear to part with it.
Come on: Look at that face! Could you just give him away? Of course not.
It struck me that it would be pretty easy to turn this sweatshirt into a super cute pillow. I had moments of skepticism while I was sewing, but I'm really happy with the result:
All it takes is the barest sewing skill. Here's how I did it:
Instructions
Step 1: I took the sweatshirt to a craft store to find the right-sized pillow insert. I'm sure I looked weird stuffing pillows up a sweatshirt in the store, but it was worth it.
Step 2: As I was fitting the insert, I realized I could make a bigger pillow out of the sweatshirt if I kept the neck hole at the top. Plus: It would be easier to make use of the existing shoulder seams. So my next step was to cut off one sleeve and sew a piece of the material under the neck hole. (I did all the sewing by hand.) The stitches are easily hidden in the neck seam.
Step 3: I stuffed the pillow into the sweatshirt and pinned it close to the pillow form. Then I cut away the excess fabric, leaving a couple of inches outside the pins, just to be on the safe side.
Step 4: I took out the pins and turned what was now a pillow cover inside out and pinned it again. Then I pulled out the pillow insert (so I wouldn't risk accidentally stitching through the pillow).
Step 5: Using a simple straight stitch, I sewed just outside the pins down both sides of the pillow, starting at the old shoulder seams. I cut off the excess material, leaving less than an inch on either side. (I have a sewing machine, but it seemed like it would take me longer to set the thing up than it would to sew two simple seams by hand.)
Step 6: I turned the pillow cover right-side-out again and put the pillow insert back into the cover. Then I folded the edges into the pillow and closed it with a slip stitch (again: very simple).
Come on: Look at that face! Could you just give him away? Of course not.
It struck me that it would be pretty easy to turn this sweatshirt into a super cute pillow. I had moments of skepticism while I was sewing, but I'm really happy with the result:
All it takes is the barest sewing skill. Here's how I did it:
Materials
- 1 old sweatshirt (or t-shirt)
- 1 pillow insert
- Straight pins
- Thread and needle
Instructions
Step 1: I took the sweatshirt to a craft store to find the right-sized pillow insert. I'm sure I looked weird stuffing pillows up a sweatshirt in the store, but it was worth it.
Step 2: As I was fitting the insert, I realized I could make a bigger pillow out of the sweatshirt if I kept the neck hole at the top. Plus: It would be easier to make use of the existing shoulder seams. So my next step was to cut off one sleeve and sew a piece of the material under the neck hole. (I did all the sewing by hand.) The stitches are easily hidden in the neck seam.
Step 3: I stuffed the pillow into the sweatshirt and pinned it close to the pillow form. Then I cut away the excess fabric, leaving a couple of inches outside the pins, just to be on the safe side.
Step 4: I took out the pins and turned what was now a pillow cover inside out and pinned it again. Then I pulled out the pillow insert (so I wouldn't risk accidentally stitching through the pillow).
Step 5: Using a simple straight stitch, I sewed just outside the pins down both sides of the pillow, starting at the old shoulder seams. I cut off the excess material, leaving less than an inch on either side. (I have a sewing machine, but it seemed like it would take me longer to set the thing up than it would to sew two simple seams by hand.)
Step 6: I turned the pillow cover right-side-out again and put the pillow insert back into the cover. Then I folded the edges into the pillow and closed it with a slip stitch (again: very simple).
I'm so pleased with the result, I'm going to go digging in my closet again. We've been going to Disney World annually for 20 years, so I have to have more hidden Mickeys buried in there somewhere!
JULY: The next phase of Storybook Circus, which includes the second half of the Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction and the Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station opens.
JULY 1-7: The annual Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Epcot with Slippery When Wet -The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute.
JULY 1: The Tanabata Star Festival Program returns to Tokyo Disneyland. The festival involves Disney characters traveling down the parade route in rickshaws to offer a Tanabata greeting to park guests.
JULY 1-SEPT. 30: Bistro de Paris in the France Pavilion in Epcot is closed for refurbishment.
JULY 1: California Avocado Week continues at Disneyland with a food demo by Chef Meyer at the House of Blues, featuring California Avocado and Blue Cheese Crusted Rib Eye.
JULY 2: California Avocado Week food demo: Chef Thomas Keaveny, ESPN Zone, Mini California Avocado Shrimp Clubs and Grilled Chicken California Avocado Wrap.
JULY 3: California Avocado Week food demo: Chef Dore Sommer, Rainforest Cafe, Awesome Appetizer Adventure and Guacamole Burger.
JULY 3-AUGUST 4: The AAU Boys and Girls National Basketball Championships is held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex with competitors ranging from grades through 12. Over 17,000 kids from around the country descend on Disney World for the event.
JULY 3: The Epcot Segway Tour is discontinued.
JULY 4: California Avocado Week food demo: Chef Alejandro Reyna, La Brea Bakery, Shrimp and Salsa Stuffed California Avocado and Turkey California Avocado Sandwich
JULY 5: California Avocado Week food demo: Chef Darrin Finkel, Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, Fried Green Tomato BLT with California Avocado and Jazz Kitchen French Quarter Salad with California Avocado
JULY 6: California Avocado Week food demo: Chef Jose Estrada, Tortilla Jo's, Ceviche de Huauchinango Shots and Shrimp and California Avocado Enchiladas
JULY 6: Over 500 items from the Walt Disney Archives go on exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Library.
JULY 7: California Avocado Week food demo: Chef Nick Weber, Catal Restaurant, Tartare of Hamachi with Shisho, Micro Cilantro and California Avocado and Jalapeno Sorbet
JULY 8-14: The annual Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Epcot with The Police Experience -- A Tribute to the Police
JULY 9: Tokyo Disneyland celebrates Disney’s Natsu Matsuri, a Japanese summer festival. The park will hold daily Soryo Kobu dance competitions, in which Disney characters lead eight different dance teams in showing off their moves to different styles of music. Each night, four winning teams will compete in the finals, in a competition event that features more music, spraying water and blazes of fire!
JULY 9: The Toy Story Mania attraction opens in Tokyo Disneyland.
JULY 9-AUGUST 3: The Cape May Cafe at Disney's Beach Club Resort will be closed.
JULY 11-15: The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition will appear at Comic-Con 2012 in San Diego.
JULY 13: The Blue Ribbon Bakery in Disneyland re-opens.
JULY 15-21: The annual Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Epcot with SouthBound and Company -- A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd.
JULY 22-28: The annual Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Epcot with 2U -- A Tribute to U2.
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