Category: CHRISTIAN SPERKA PHOTOGRAPHY

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My Photography Game Viewer Project

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Since I started my job in South Africa as field guide, wildlife photographer and photography teacher I always envisioned my own – photography oriented – game viewing vehicle.

This weekend I bought a used Land Rover Defender 130 (TD5) from a friend in Durban. He – being an engineer and very handy with that sort of thing – is now working on the conversion of the vehicle into my very own photography game viewer. It will take a bit of time to change the Landi to have all the features I want and I am looking forward to start using it in January or February next year.

The vehicle will lose its roof and all the windows except the windscreen, which will be hinged to be able to lower it when driving on the reserve. It will feature two seat rows behind the driver’s (first) row for a maximum of five passengers. The second row will have three comfortable and slightly raised seats. But the really special feature is going to be the third row. It will have only two high-backed seats with lots of room in front of them. In this space photographers can slide off their seats and take pictures over the sides of the vehicle (close to eye level). It will feature special canvas-covered mats on the vehicle floor for comfortable shooting positions and custom made bean-bags will be provided for the ideal camera placement.

There will be spotlight sockets in all rows as well as on the specially fitted tracker seat up-front. Behind the third row a storage compartment will have room for all necessary game drive gear. Each of the two photographer’s seats in the back will also have a turn-able and height-adjustable bean bag support. An Apple iPad will be available in each row (with many special applications available to the guests including Roberts Birds of Southern Africa, eGuide to African Mammals, a TrackID application and a map of Thanda).

I am looking forward to using the Landi for my own photography work, for teaching wildlife photography and to drive photography enthusiasts and professional photographers on Thanda Safari.

PS: I am searching for a snappy name for my new photography Landi. Please let me know if you have a good idea!

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INTERNATIONAL CHEETAH DAY 2016

Today is International Cheetah Day – This is one of Thanda Safari’s Cheetah boys – They are two of my favorite cat models 🙂

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Cheetahs once ranged almost across the entire African continent and into Asia. Today, they are found in only 23% of their historic African range and are extinct in Asia except for a small population in Iran. The problems for this endangered species are habit loss, habitat fragmentation, conflict with other predators, Human-wildlife conflicts, illegal wildlife trade and their rather problematic genetics. Thanda Safari has a few of these magnificent creatures and is active in conserving their future.

Read more about International Cheetah Day at http://internationalcheetahday.com/

If you want to support Thanda Safari’s Cheetah conservation efforts directly please contact us at research@thanda.co.za.

#SaveTheCheetah #IntlCheetahDay

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A Cheetah Kill!

Only two times in 16 years …

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To see Cheetahs feeding on a kill is an infrequent sighting, as these large cats usually eat quickly and then leave the remains of their prey to other bush creatures. But seeing them killing an animal right in front of you is very rare, indeed.

Yesterday morning was the second time I ever observed these fast cats taking down an antelope.

Thanda’s Cheetah brothers chased an Nyala bull and killed him right in front of our vehicle. Unfortunately I was driving at the time, following them over a hill crest, so I got no pictures of the actual kill, but I got a few picture before and after the take-down.

The Thanda Safari guests on this evening game drive were very excited about this very special sighting!

Pictures and text by Christian Sperka – Resident Wildlife Photographer – Thanda Safari

20161122-cs0_1746-e-00 The chase and the kill!

20161122-cs2_4767-e-00 The kill!

20161122-cs2_4782-e-00 Feeding on the Nyala…

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EYES!

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It has been years since I have created my EYES series of carnivore portraits. I love the strong expressions, especially in the feline eyes, when the color is removed from the rest of the images.

I am currently working on a new selection and this is one of my favorites so far.

Enjoy this Lion King, King of Lions!

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Thanda Safari – Conservation in Action

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Today the Thanda Safari wildlife department recovered two six month old Cheetah cubs whose mother had been recently killed by Lions, which are one of the major threats to Cheetahs in the wild. Veterinarian Dr.Mike Toft darted the two young males. Wrapped in towels to keep them warm, the cubs were transferred into one of Thanda’s predator bomas (an enclosed secure area). Soon after they woke up the two little cats enjoyed their first ‘room service’ (a dead Impala antelope). Thanda Safari wildlife management is currently evaluating how to proceed, as the two youngsters are not old enough yet to fend for themselves.

To see more pictures go to the blog message at https://thandablog.com/2016/09/28/cheetahcubs/.

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More about Cheetah and Lions:
Lions are capable of killing Cheetahs, but Lions rarely eat Cheetahs. When given the chance, Lions will kill adult or cub Cheetahs that are found in their territory. Close to 90 percent of…

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Heritage Day

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Today is South Africa’s Heritage Day.

My view on heritage: Learn from the past and help the children to build a better future!

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New Arrivals!

I enjoyed that ‘photo shoot’ 🙂

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It is always a very special moment when new Lion cubs are seen for the first time. After the mother gives birth she keeps the newborns away from her pride and the rest of the world for six to eight weeks. Today was such a special day at Thanda Safari. Three young Lions met safari vehicles for the first time and they were most curious and not shy at all 🙂

Enjoy the pictures!

Pictures by Christian Sperka – Resident Wildlife Photographer – Thanda Safari

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Gentle Giant Research

One of my most special experiences as a Wildlife Photographer so far!

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This week marks a particularly exciting event at Thanda Safari.

In partnering with the Wild Tomorrow Fund, we were able to immobilise three carefully selected Elephants in order to attach tracking collars. Two dominant Elephant cows and a single large bull will now be collecting valuable data which will enable us to see exactly how the breeding herds and a bachelor group utilise their time and space on the reserve. This will offer insights into habitat use as well as movement patterns over rainfall events and seasonal changes. At the same time, multiple micro weather stations have been installed throughout the reserve and the Elephant movements over the landscapes will be mapped considering the daily changes in climatic conditions.

While we had the opportunity, blood samples were taken as part of a study with the University of Pretoria which will investigate the long-term effects of the PZP immuno-contraception programme which has…

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