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).
As we approached the Thanda Safari gate this morning one of our Lioness just passed the gate. This was a very special ‘good bye’ surprise for our guests after their three day stay with many exciting sightings.
This afternoon I went on the first game drive with my newest and first mirrorless camera. It has amazing capabilities in terms of low-light-photography and speed. With a special adapter I can use all my lenses (as the f/4 500mm shown in one of the pictures). I am working on fine-tuning the setup which is key for motion photography.
I am looking forward to producing many interesting wildlife shots with my new tool!
On 10 August was World Lion Day. Instead of only one picture post for the occasion I thought I post twenty of my favorite Lion images, one for each of my twenty years of wildlife photography from 2001 to 2021. Enjoy the last seven pictures of this festival of Lions! #14-20
I will be at Pakamisa for another very special weekend (see below of all details). Contact res@pakamisa.co.za for reservations.
Itinerary
James will show the guests how wild birds are caught, ringed and released back into the bush and Christian will provide valuable advice on bird and wildlife photography. Local field guide and birding specialist Chamu and horticulturalist Lizelle will conduct game drives and bush walks. Isabella Stepski, Pakamisa’s owner and horse enthusiast, is available for outrides.
Day 1 – Friday 10th September
From 12:00 Arrival
13:00 Lunch
15:00 Game drive or ‘flora and fauna’ walk
18:30 Meet in the bar with a talk about bird ringing 19:00 Four course dinner
Day 2 – Saturday 11th September
7:00 Tea, coffee and biscuits
7:30 Depart for birding ringing event
8:00 Bird ringing event
11:00 Brunch
15:00 Birding game drive or photography game drive or horse ride 17:15 Drinks as the sun sets, followed by a short night (owl) drive 19:30 Four course dinner
Day 3 – Sunday 12th September
7:00 Game drive or ‘flora and fauna’ walk
9:00 Breakfast
10:30 Smart phone photography lesson (optional)
11:00 Photography lesson (optional)
13:30 Brunch
15:00 Birding game drive or photography game drive or horse ride 17:15 Drinks as the sun sets
On 10 August was World Lion Day. Instead of only one picture post for the occasion I thought I post twenty of my favorite Lion images, one for each of my twenty years of wildlife photography from 2001 to 2021. Enjoy this festival of Lions! #13
On 10 August was World Lion Day. Instead of only one picture post for the occasion I thought I post twenty of my favorite Lion images, one for each of my twenty years of wildlife photography from 2001 to 2021. Enjoy this festival of Lions! #12
On 10 August was World Lion Day. Instead of only one picture post for the occasion I thought I post twenty of my favorite Lion images, one for each of my twenty years of wildlife photography from 2001 to 2021. Enjoy this festival of Lions! #10
On 10 August was World Lion Day. Instead of only one picture post for the occasion I thought I post twenty of my favorite Lion images, one for each of my twenty years of wildlife photography from 2001 to 2021. Enjoy this festival of Lions! #9
On 10 August was World Lion Day. Instead of only one picture post for the occasion I thought I post twenty of my favorite Lion images, one for each of my twenty years of wildlife photography from 2001 to 2021. Enjoy this festival of Lions! #8
On 10 August was World Lion Day. Instead of only one picture post for the occasion I thought I post twenty of my favorite Lion images, one for each of my twenty years of wildlife photography from 2001 to 2021. Enjoy this festival of Lions! #7