Author: Christian Sperka

Christian Sperka is a wildlife photographer based at Thanda Private Game Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. Over the last 11 years, Christian has traveled the world photographing animals in wild game reserves of South Africa and Namibia, the jungles of Costa Rica, in Yellowstone National Park in the USA, as well as zoos in Europe and the United States. His work has been featured in wildlife magazines, in books and in many zoo publications. He actively supports wild cat conservation, working as a partner photographer for Panthera, the world's leading organization devoted to the conservation of all wild cat species (panthera.org). From 2009 to 2012 he has worked as the official photographer and photography teacher at Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Tennessee, USA (nashvillezoo.org). Christian is also a qualified South African field guide. He now works as specialist photography guide on Thanda Private Game Reserve in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa (thanda.com).
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Big Five and Little Five

For the first time since I started taking pictures of wildlife, I captured a Leopard and a Leopard Tortoise in the same picture series.

This Leopard female was ‘guarding’ the small reptile for quite a while. It looked like she was hoping for a pleasant meal. But when the large cat relaxed, the tortoise walked quietly off, leaving the Leopard behind with a longing look on her face. The armour on the small creature was too strong to penetrate.

Leopards are one of the BIG FIVE, together with Lions, Elephants, Rhinos, and Buffalos.

Leopard Tortoises are one of the LITTLE FIVE, together with Antlions, Elephant Shrews, Rhino Beetles, and Buffalo Weavers.

And the little one won today!

#christiansperkaphotography

#thandasafari

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Video of the Day!

Topic: A relaxed White Rhino mum and her small calf. And a Red-billed Oxpecker calling and landing on the Rhino.

Technical data: Apple 17 Pro Max | using all three cameras

#christiansperkaphotography

And a few blog bonus pictures …

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Picture of the Day!

Topic: A Thanda Lioness leading her five cubs along the road.

Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4.5-7.1/100-500mm | ISO 640 | 1/320sec | f5.6 | ev+/-0 | 360mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode

#christiansperkaphotography

… and a few ‘blog bonus pictures’

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Pictures of the Day!

Topic: Have a look! One of Thanda’s dominant male Lion checking up on the Lion ladies nearby.

Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4.5-7.1/100-500mm | ISO 6400 | 1/500sec | f5.6 | ev+/-0 | 360mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode

#christiansperkaphotography

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Happy Heritage Day – Usuku Oluhle Lwamagugu – Gelukkige Erfenisdag!

Happy Heritage Day – Usuku Oluhle Lwamagugu – Gelukkige Erfenisdag!

Heritage day is celebrated yearly on 24 September. It is also known as national braai day. A braai (know in other countries as barbecue) is something shared across South Africa’s many cultures and communities.

These are a few pictures of Zulu people dressed in traditional attire celebrating their heritage.

Heritage day is celebrated yearly on 24 September. It is also known as national braai day. A braai (know in other countries as barbecue) is something shared across South Africa’s many cultures and communities.

These are a few pictures of Zulu people dressed in traditional attire celebrating their heritage.

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Pictures of the Day!

(or better yesterday = World Rhino day!)

Topic: Black Rhinos (left) are generally more solitary and quick to react defensively, often charging when they think they are threatened . White Rhinos (right) are generally more social and less reactive, often moving off rather than confronting any possible threat. 

Technical data (left): Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4.5-7.1/100-500mm | ISO 1250 | 1/500sec | f4.5 | ev+/-0 | 150mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode

Technical data (right): Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4.5-7.1/100-500mm | ISO 6400 | 1/500sec | f6.7 | ev+/-0 | 450mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode

#christiansperkaphotography

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Picture of the Day!

Topic: Thanda’s two oldest Elephan bulls and a young ‘colleague’ were walking last night across the savanna as I drove to the Thanda Tented Camp to give a photography lesson. What a sight!

Technical data: Apple 17 Pro Max | Telephoto Camera 16.9mm/100mm | ISO 20 | 1/640sec | f2.8 | ev+/-0

#christiansperkaphotography

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Picture of the Day!

One from the past 25 years: A Thanda Lion Male at sunrise 

#25YearsChristianSperkaPhotography

#christiansperkaphotography

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Picture of the Day!

One from the past 25 years: Incredible sky over Thanda!

#25YearsChristianSperkaPhotography

#christiansperkaphotography

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Picture of the Day!

One from the past 25 years: A  Spotted Hyena carrying one of her cubs to a new den!

#25YearsChristianSperkaPhotography

#christiansperkaphotography

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