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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THE MORNING POST – CLOUDS

Recently I have been asked which is my favorite animal. Not an easy question to answer. I enjoy all creatures and my favorite photo models are cats of all sorts. But if I have to choose one than it is Clouded Leopards.

I worked with these amazing mammals during my time in the Nashville Zoo and it would be great to photograph them in the wild.

I hope you enjoy my favorite cats!

Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography @nashvillezoo #nashvillezoo #cloudedleopard

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THE EVENING POST – RELAX

Lying in a tree and relaxing – a Leopard speciality 😊

Enjoy your Tuesday evening!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography

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THE MORNING POST – AERIAL IMPRESSIONS

I have spent the last couple days on Pakamisa Private Game Reserve (www.pakamisa.com) to work on a few photographic projects.

This short video of aerial impressions was one of them.

Enjoy your flight 😊.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #pakamisagamereserve @pakamisagamereserve

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THE EVENING POST – LOOKING FAR

I really like this picture of a Giraffe looking into the distance as the sun set.

Enjoy your evening!

#Thandasafari @thandasafari

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography

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THE MORNING POST – MORNING WALK

One of my favorite pictures illustrating the process called cold air condensation. A Thanda Cheetah male was demonstrations this most effectively on a cold winter’s morning 😊

Enjoy your day.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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THE EVENING POST – WINTER COLORS

I seldom post flora pictures but at this time of the year the usually green/brown/grey bush brings forward some winter colors which could rival the autumn colors in New England. Tamboti leaves and Aloe followers in red, orange and yellow are some of my favorite colors in the bush!

Have a good week.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography

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THE MORNING POST – LITTLE SPEEDY

The next time you are on a photo safari I dare you to get a picture of one of these 😊

Slender Mongooses are always on the move. On safari I see them regularly shooting across the road from one thicket into the next but very rarely do I get the opportunity to take a photograph. This is one of these rare images.

These little carnivores are part of Herpestidae, a family of small carnivores. We got four of the family members on Thanda: White-tailed Mongoose, Water (Marsh) Mongoose, Banded Mongoose , Slender Mongoose.

Enjoy your Sunday 😊

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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THE EVENING POST – HOODED VULTURE

A few people have asked me about the bird in the sunset shot I posted this morning. It was this Hooded Vulture. It was drinking at the waterhole before taking off into the sunset.

Have a good evening!

#Thandasafari @thandasafari

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #lockdownsafari

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THE EVENING POST – LONG NOSES

This morning I asked of which animal I took the detail pictures in the collage. The correct answer is an Elephant. And the details are: Ivory Tusk, Toe Nail, Foot Sole and Tail Hair.

Have a good evening 😊

#Thandasafari @thandasafari

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #lockdownsafari

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