Blog – Page 218 – Christian Sperka Photography

2012-04-16

Call for Help!

Today, Thanda Private Game Reserve – my future workplace in South Africa – has lost a Black Rhino to poachers.

This is the second Rhino killed by poachers on Thanda (the first one was a White Rhino).

If you would like to help you can email melanie@thanda.co.za. Any donations, cash or items are very much appreciated. We need radios, camping gear, binoculars, cellphones, solar panels, …

If you live in the USA you can also send your donation to me and I will make sure that the money will go to Thanda’s “Save Our Rhinos” efforts. You can contact me at christian@sperka.com

Thanks for your support!

2012-04-13

My last Animal Art Photography classes at the Nashville Zoo

There are still a few places available in my last APP1 class this Saturday (from 8:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.). Here is the link in case you would like to book: http://www.nashvillezoo.org/education/animal-art-photography-i-adult

There is one more advanced class scheduled before I leave:
Animal Art Photography II on 5/19/2012
http://www.nashvillezoo.org/education/animal-art-photography-ii-adult

Starting in June Amiee Stubbs, the Official Nashville Zoo Photographer, will start teaching the classes and private lessons at the Nashville Zoo.

2012-04-122012-04-12

Stop the Madness!

I hate what happens to Rhinos all over Africa. Human ignorance and stupidity may eliminate these fascinating species. Please support all efforts to stop the madness!

http://savingrhinos.org

2012-04-11

Feathery Spectrum!

I have not posted a bird picture for quite a while. So here are a few images of one of my favorite birds in South Africa.

Lilac-breaster Rollers have many colors of the spectrum in their plumage.

These pictures were taken in Phinda Private Game Reserve, the Timbavati Private Game Reserve and in Kruger National Park.

More about Lilac-breasted Rollers:

The Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus) is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. Usually found alone or in pairs, it perches conspicuously at the tops of trees, poles or other high vantage points from where it can spot insects, lizards, scorpions, snails, small birds and rodents moving about at ground level. It is the national bird of Botswana.

2012-04-102012-04-13

Photography Class on Saturday

Quite a few people have asked me if I will still teach photography classes before I leave for South Africa end of May.

Yes, I will 🙂
There are still a few places available in the class this Saturday (from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m.). Here is the link in case you would like to book: http://www.nashvillezoo.org/education/animal-art-photography-i-adult

There is one more class scheduled before I leave:

Animal Art Photography II on 5/19/2012
http://www.nashvillezoo.org/education/animal-art-photography-ii-adult

Starting in June Amiee Stubbs, the Official Nashville Zoo Photographer, will start teaching the classes and private lessons at the Nashville Zoo.

2012-04-092012-04-09

Picture of the Week 14 – The tree that shines from afar

[View all Pictures of the Week 2012]

This African Elephant is browsing in between Fever Trees on Phinda Private Game Reserve, South Africa.

In the Zulu language the Fever Tree is called umHlosinga (the tree that shines from afar). This beautiful acacia has a pale white bark and green foliage. It is one of the few trees where photosynthesis takes place in the bark. The yellow color on the Elephant’s skin is from rubbing against one of the trees.

Enjoy the picture!

The Tree That Shines From Afar ( Fever Tree – Acacia xanthophloea)

2012-04-06

REMINDER – South Africa 100 – Invitation for tomorrow’s First Saturday Gallery Crawl

At my last event at the April First Saturday Gallery Crawl I will show one hundred of my best African wildlife images at the Arcade in downtown Nashville.

A reception with drinks and “nibbles” will be held from 2p.m. to 6.pm. for all of you receiving this invitation . The offical gallery crawl will start at 6p.m. and last until 9p.m.

When: Saturday, April 7, 2012 from 2p.m. to 9p.m.
Where: Christian Sperka Photography / Animal Art Photography Gallery at the Arcade

For more information go to https://christiansperka.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/south-africa-100-invitation/

2012-04-06

More from Reelfoot Lake …

Here are four more Reelfoot Lake pictures (Tennessee, USA).

Check out Nancy Moore’s website for more information on boat trips on the lake http://blbweb.bluebasin.com (the site is about her “bed and breakfast” place, but she also does great photography lake trips – just contact her at jaybird@bluebasin.com)