Courtyard Lantern

One of my favorite pavilions in Epcot's World Showcase is Morocco. I've posted several photos from this particular courtyard in the past. It is supposed to be an example of a "typical" upper-class Moroccan home and it is beautiful. I've always dreamed of living in a home with an internal courtyard. Even without a courtyard home, at least I can still hang out in this one for some shade and a little rest and recovery time whenever I'm lucky enough to visit Epcot. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Speakeasy Tattoo Company

We made a run to the Mast General Store in Boone for a few things and parked in front of the Speakeasy Tattoo Company. I don't know much about tattoos but I do know that if you are going to carry a design around for the rest of your life, it probably can't hurt to pick a parlor that is rocking a sweet design of their own. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.

Sucked into the Sea

I'm not sure what you call the visual distortion that can make the sun appear to change shape and get pulled into the sea but I never get tired of seeing it. This sunset was on a cruise to the Bahamas.

Surprisingly, this photograph was taken through a somewhat dirty porthole window. I used a fairly low aperture of 1.4 in order to blur out the dry salt on the outside of the window and focus on the horizon. As a bonus, the sea has a nice gradual blur as it gets closer. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7. 

de Havilland C-7A Caribou

Developed in 1958, the de Havilland C-7A Caribou was known for its short takeoff and landing capabilities (STOL). Able to deliver 26 paratroopers or three tons of equipment over or on to short, improvised airstrips, the Caribou was developed just in time for the unique requirements of jungle warfare in Southeast Asia. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.

The Leaky Cauldron

True to the story, the Leaky Cauldron at Universal Studios serves as the gateway to Diagon Alley and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Set among typical British storefronts and a Tube stop, we actually walked right past the corridor leading into Diagon Alley when we first arrived. As everything in the WWoHP, Universal Orlando did a great job setting the stage for the adventure.

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Rhododendron & Fir

I took this photograph at the beginning of summer on Memorial Day. It seems fitting to post it as summer unofficially comes to a close with Labor Day. I hope you had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to the cooler weather and all of the festivals that fall bring our way!

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

325 Happy Animals

The "Tree of Life" at Disney's Animal Kingdom is a great centerpiece to the park. Carved into the replica baobab tree are 325 animals inspired from eight different Disney movies. Inside the tree is a 400 seat 4-D theater that screens a movie derived from A Bug's Life called It's Tough to be a Bug. 

This photograph was captured with a Nikon D90. 

End of the Season

Summer season on Beech Mountain comes to a close this weekend. This was Lori's view from her yoga class at 5506' Skybar at the top of the mountain a couple of weeks ago. Everything will be open again in three months for ski season so it's not so much "good bye" as "see you soon!" 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300. 

Double Date

A little rain can't slow down the deer of Beech Mountain. The two bucks and two does appear to be on a double date. There are so many deer up on Beech Mountain that you are virtually guaranteed to see a handful on any given day. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.

Robins AFB Century of Flight Hangar

This is one of the best public decommissioned aircraft hangars in the world. Take a look around and you'll see a Thunderbird F-16, MH-53M "Super Jolly" Pave Low, F-111 Aardvark, RQ-4 Global Hawk, U-2 reconnaissance plane, and the pièce de résistance, an SR-71 Blackbird. Not just "any" SR-71 mind you, THE SR-71 that set the world speed record of 2,193 miles per hour! In 1976. And the record still stands. It even flew from New York to London in under 2 hours. Take that, Concorde! See all of the people in the hangar? They're listening to the pilots from those eventful flights sharing their war stories, beneath the nose of their aircraft. 

If you're thinking about planning a trip to the Museum of Aviation at Robins AFB to check out this hangar, it's worth mentioning that there are several other hangars and an entire field full of amazing aircraft, including an A-10 Thunderbolt, AC-130A Spectre Gunship, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-25 Mitchell, B-29 Super Fortress, B-52 Strato Fortress, B-1B Lancer, C-130E Hercules and a whole lot more! It's definitely worth the visit!

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.