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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STAY-AT-HOME SUNDAY

One more Ellie picture 🙂

Sometimes my Land Rover Defender gets temporarily stuck in a rut.

Sort of the same thing happened to this little Elephant baby. I think it was a bit tired from all the walking and its front legs collapsed as it stepped into the rut when the herd crossed a road.

It was comical to see how the back legs kept going but with no effect. After a few seconds an adult Elephant helped the little one by using its trunk.

As soon as it was back up the baby immediately started running after its mummy. So no harm done!

Enjoy your Sunday! Stay home and stay safe.

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

Wildlife4Kids http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales

http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery

http://www.sperka.biz

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXVIII

As promised in this morning’s post here is a short video of yesterday’s close encounter with one of our Elephant herds.

You know you are close enough when the Ellie’s walk in your shadow 😊

Stay home and stay safe!

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

Wildlife4Kids http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales

http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery

http://www.sperka.biz

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME SATURDAY

Being close to Elephants is very special. I know that for many people it is terrifying. That is the reason why I make sure to keep a ‘comfort distance’ when driving with guests on safari.

But I personally do not mind to be close to these gentle giants as long as it is on their terms. Yesterday evening I was watching a breeding herd of Elephants from quite a distance when they decided to change direction and walk straight towards my vehicle. I set up my iPhone to take some video and I kept shooting with my cameras.

This picture is a closeup (taken with a 70mm lens) of an Elephant bull’s skin as he was passing in touching distance. It was exhilarating and calming at the same time to have these huge creators so very close.

I am planning to post some of the video footage this evening, but I thought you might enjoy this special picture!

Stay home and stay safe.

My YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/christiansperkaphotography

Wildlife4Kids

http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales

http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery

http://www.sperka.biz

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXVII

I live in a magical place. These are four images I took today today:

5:48 (am) at Thanda House just before I left in the morning

6:22 (am) in the western part of the reserve as the sun started burning away the morning mist

17:09 (5:09pm) am Elephant walking west just as the sun was setting

17:57 (5:57pm) after the sun had set three Giraffe bulls were fighting on the savanna as I was on my way home

Have a good weekend, stay home and stay safe!

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

Wildlife4Kids http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales

http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery

http://www.sperka.biz

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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SMART PHONE SAFARI – YES OR NO?

Since the ‘South African Covid-19 Lock Down’ started I have posted many wildlife images and videos on my social media channels.

I have also created a new blog and Facebook page for kids (and the young at heart) on which I post a daily Q&A with a wildlife picture (www.wildlife4kids.com | http://www.facebook.com/wildlife4children)

Thanks a lot for all the very positive response to all these posts.

Quite a few of my friends around the world have asked me if I could chat a bit about various wildlife photography topics in my videos and maybe answer questions from viewers.

So here is my first ‘Wildlife Photography Academy :-)’ video. Today’s topic is ‘Smart Phone Safari – yes or no?’

I hope you like it.

If you have ideas for future topics to cover, if you have any questions about photography in general, or wildlife photography in particular then I will try to talk about these in upcoming videos.

Just post your suggestions or questions in the comment section or send an email to christian@sperka.com.

PS: These occasional video posts will be in addition to my daily STAY-AT-HOME and LOCK-DOWN-SAFARI post 🙂

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STAY-AT-HOME BIRD WEDNESDAY

What is the group name for Pied Crows?

A murder of Crows 😊 A rather dramatic name for these good looking members of the clean up crew (Pied Crows are mainly scavengers). Have a good bird Wednesday, stay home and stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

PS: Check out my lock-down site for kiddies – with a new animal pictures every day! http://www.wildlife4kids.com

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