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So very African!

Whenever I am thinking of the African wilderness a few images pop into my mind. One of them is a large animal walking along a ridge under one of the iconic African trees.

A few days ago that scene unfolded in front of me. One of our young Elephant bulls walked on top of a dam wall in front of a large Fever Tree. So very African!

Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f2.8/70-200mm | ISO 500 | 1/2000sec | f2.8 | ev+0 | 125mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 80% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

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Bloody magnificent!

No, I was not trying to swear when writing this. I was just describing the Blood Lily (or Fireball Lily, or Powderpuff Lilly, or Mnduze in isiZulu, scientific name: Scadoxus multiflorus), a beautiful red and yellow flower which can occasionally be seen on Thanda Safari.

Yesterday morning I came across this magnificent specimen along a mountainous road. The species likes moist, shady habitats. Most wild flowers in the South African wilderness are quite small, so seeing this large lily is a special treat.

Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 1000 | 1/500sec | f5.6 | ev+0 | 100mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 80% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

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AI and Wildlife!

Yesterday, the matriarch of one of Thanda Safari’s herds of Elephants got a new radio collar. It was an exciting experience for everyone participating in the operation.

The new collar is not only there to track the movement of its carrier, but uses AI technology to provide our wildlife department with a lot of valuable information deduced from the data collected. The same collars in a ‘foot version’ are used on many of our Rhinos to support Thanda’s conservation efforts.

I love this aerial shot of the large female. Shortly after the procedure was finished she woke up and re-joined her herd.

Technical data: DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro Drone | ISO 100 | 1/500sec | f1.7 | ev+0 | 24mm | WB AUTO | Crop to 30% of original image

Please note: For anti-poaching-, privacy,- and wildlife protection- reasons Thanda Safari does not allow any third-party-drones to be flown over the reserve.

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

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Notched ears …

… are not a Rhino fashion statement. These small triangle cut-outs on the ears were made by our wildlife department. Every Rhino on the reserve features a different notch pattern and is therefore easily identifiable from a distance. This helps Thanda Safari’s Monitors (= wildlife team members dedicated to tracking endangered species) to perform their task of keeping track of these endangered and prosecuted creatures. All our guides assist them by reporting any Rhino sightings to the monitors.

Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f2.8/300mm | ISO 500 | 1/750sec | f4 | ev+0 | 300mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 20% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

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Floppy Trunk!

This little Elephant calf does not have full control over its trunk yet. The trunk of an adult Elephant is a prehensile tool of incredible dexterity and strength. But the little ones just have a floppy nose. While they are getting all their fluids from the mother’s milk they do not yet need the trunk’s syringe function for drinking water. As they get a bit older they learn how to use their long nose as a most versatile tool. I took this picture last night, as a large Thanda Safari herd drank and bathed at a waterhole. Mum and all aunties and older sisters were very protective of this little one.

Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f2.8/70-200mm | ISO 3200 | 1/2000sec | f2.8 | ev+0 | 200mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 25% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

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The Weeping Boer Bean…

… is my favourite tree on Thanda Safari. It produces very beautiful red flowers. It gets its name from two facts. One, is that it produces so much nectar that it drips out of the tree (=weeping). Two, the early white settlers in South Africa (also called the Boers) used the seeds from the tree to roast a replacement for coffee (= boer bean). Not only birds love this tree, with its ample food supply, but Elephants also enjoy the fresh growths. And the Zulu people find that a tee brewed from its bark is the perfect cure for or a hang-over!

Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 1000 | 1/500sec | f4 | ev+0.0 | 150mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 50% of original image

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Angry Bird?

Not at all. I met this juvenile Bateleur at a bird show at the ‘Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre’ (www.birdsofprey.co.za), an organization which does great work in raptor rehabilitation.

I love the frontal portrait shot of this beautiful creature. The rescued eagle was rather curious and friendly, despite its ferocious stare.

The centre also offers a photography day to take pictures of many different raptors in the centre. I will be back soon to get more stunning images of these hunters in the sky.

Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 1600 | 1/2000sec | f6.7 | ev+0 | 200mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 30% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography @dullstroombirdofprey

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Obusayo …

… means ‘the one who rules’ in isiZulu. Thanda Safari’s dominant male Lion ‘rules’ all the prides on the reserve. Well, at least as far as the leading ladies let him.

I took this picture last Tuesday as he was tracking the Intibane Pride on the western part of the reserve. But one thing is certain: He is a handsome chap!

Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f4.0/500mm | ISO 200 | 1/500sec | f4 | ev0 | 500mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 40% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

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A slim dinner!

A Secretary Bird is not a common sighting at the best of times. But is quite rare to get a pictures of one of these fabulous creatures while it is catching and devouring a snake. This terrestrial eagle specialises in catching small prey while walking around open areas. Snakes are a big part of its diet. The snake in this picture was an Olive Grass Snake (or Olive Whip). It is not easy to get a decent image of Secretary Birds as they are always moving away from the camera when they are close enough for a good picture. A bit of a back-site-bird.

Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f4.0/500mm | ISO 200 | 1/750sec | f4 | ev+0.5 | 500mm | WB 6500K | Crop to 30% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

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Spare Ribs …

A young Lion enjoying some spare ribs!

Last night we watched one of Thanda Safari’s pride of Lions resting next to this Nyala carcass. All nine cats had very full bellies, so we assumed there was at least one more kill near by. A single Nyala would not have provided enough meat to fill them all up.

Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f2.8/300mm | ISO 100 | 1/750sec | f4 | ev0 | 300mm | WB 6500K | Crop to 40% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

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