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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Bush Duet

LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXXXIII

I had planned to take some pictures of the moon rising and I had picked a good spot at Mgankla dam on the edge of the Thanda Safari savanna.

As the moon rose I was all set up with tripods, cameras and wide angle lenses, and I was busy taking pictures when close-by two male Lions engaged in a roaring bush duet.

I packed up my gear and found them after a few minutes in a sickle-bush area. This is a slide show with their duet as the sound track. Enjoy your evening and stay safe!

Wildlife4Kids http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery http://www.sperka.biz

My YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/christiansperkaphotography

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME MONDAY

A White Rhino bull was posing on the Thanda Safari savanna in front of the Lebombo Mountains.

This mountain chain stretches from South of Thanda for 800 km (500 miles) all the way to the Limpopo province in the North. The famous Ghost Mountain near Mkuze is part of the Lebombos.

Have a good week, stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY 2020

With this picture of a Thanda Lioness and her cub I wish my mum and all the mothers around the world a very Happy Mother’s Day.

May all of you have a good day and stay well!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME SUNDAY

I forgot to give the answer to my question posted on Thursday. So here it is now 😊

The question was which picture corresponds to which of the Lions’ actions, so here is the answer.

2 Roaring …

1 Yawning …

4 Loving …

3 Scratching …

5 Growling …

Have a good day. Stay home and stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXXXII

Two Elephant bulls arrived while I was out to watch birds coming to the waterhole for their morning drinks. The DSLR with the long lens got a rest and I recorded this video with my iPhone.

Enjoy the show, stay home and stay safe!

Wildlife4Kids http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery http://www.sperka.biz

My YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/christiansperkaphotography

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXXXI

Mariana (our Wildlife Coordinator) and I had a fantastic Cheetah sighting today. Mum and her three cubs are well.

The three little ones love to climb trees and have a lot of energy. This are my two favorite pictures of today.

More to follow soon …

Enjoy your evening, stay home and stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME FRIDAY –

Imagine!

… you get up at 3:00am to see the moon set

… then watch the Milky Way in the dark of the night

… followed by some time spend next to a waterhole to enjoy the sky going from dark blue to red

… and finally see the sun rise through the lifting mist

… what better way to start the day?

And remember: go to bed early to make up for the lost hours of sleep 😊

Enjoy your day, stay home and stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXXX

This is how a Lion looks when he is roaring. He does this to assert his territory and to let the ladies know where he is, in case of need 😊

Have a good evening, stay home and stay safe!

PS: The rest of the answers to this mornings question will follow!

… and here is how it sounds …

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME THURSDAY

Lions facial expressions, captured on a picture do not always correspond to what we think they are doing at the time. So here is a little game. Match the action to the picture 😊

A Roaring …

B Yawning …

C Loving …

D Scratching …

E Growling …

… Lion

The correct answer will be in tonight’s post!

Have a good day. Stay home and stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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