My favorite cat species – Nashville Zoo memories
Same procedure as every year…
Soon I will be leaving South Africa for a few weeks to visit my family and friends in Germany and Switzerland. From mid of this month to mid of next month I will be blogging a bit less about the African Wild. But – as last year – you may expect a-travel-picture-blog-a-day (most of them taken with my iPhone!).
And as every year, I will be visiting a few zoos in Switzerland. I am planning to be at the Zurich Zoo on 2 June (Thursday), at the Basel Zoo on 6 June (Monday) and at the Wildlife Park Arth-Goldau on 31 May (Tuesday). In case any of my fellow photographers or blog-followers would like to meet for a chat at either of these locations, just send a message to christian@sperka.com.
The pictures show a Spectacled Bear at the Zurich Zoo, a Greater One-horned Rhinoceros at the Basel Zoo and a Great Grey Owl at the Wildlife Park Arth-Goldau.
Morning has broken!
This was the view a few minutes ago when stepped in front of my room at Thanda House – winter is coming and so are the beautiful sunrises and sunsets – Have a good day!
Golden Hour
And one more of my recent favorite posts!
It is called the Golden Hour! As the Thanda Safari guests head out on game drive in the early morning, the sun provides the most beautiful light for the first hour of the day. Photographers love this first light as well as the soft light of the last hour before sunset.
Picture by Christian Sperka – Resident Wildlife Photographer – Thanda Safari
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Habituation
My favorite African cars – Leopards!
For many decades Leopards in KwaZulu Natal have been hunted and killed by humans. When Thanda Safari – Private Game Reserve was established – 11 years ago – a safe haven for these magnificent cats was created. But it takes a lot of patience and time to ‘teach’ these beautiful animals that they can relax around safari vehicles.
It is very important to treat the Leopards with respects and not to push and pursue them, when they decide to leave a sighting. And once they learn that the presence of our vehicles does not mean any threat, more prolonged sightings will become the norm.
This young female lay in the bushes approximately 30 meters from the road. We viewed her from the distance with binoculars and took some pictures until she decided to leave us and move up a hill. We did not follow her off-road and we did not push her. We let…
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HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
With this electronic bouquet of Proteas I wish my mum (in Germany) and all the mums around the world – in the eighty countries, where this special day is celebrated today – a VERY HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.
ALLES GUTE ZUM MUTTERTAG !
50mm
It has been years since I have used a ‘short fixed focus length lens’. Last week, when cleaning my equipment, I picked up my Canon EF f1.4/50mm lens and decided to put in my camera case to give it a try at low light.
And two days ago such a scenario presented itself.
After the sun had set I took this image of our north pride Lions sleeping off a good meal. With very shallow depth of field it creates a special artsy atmosphere. I like it and I think I will use this ‘short beauty’ more often.
A little kiss :-)
The traditional pose …
… and another one …
A Little Detour
Today a little detour was required on my way home from the Thanda Safari Lodge. The two Cheetah brothers were resting in the shade under a tree in the middle of the road, so I had to get a bit of the street as they would not move for my car 🙂
The Two Boys!
Backlight
Lions at one of Thanda’s waterholes – I was able to play with the light from another game viewing vehicle (thanks to my fellow guide) – despite the fact that I did not have the right lens for the job I like the atmosphere of the scene!
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 