Family Life – Hyena Style!
What a sighting …
Thanda’s Hyenas are rather shy and usually move away quickly when disturbed. But this morning, after heavy rainfall in the night, we found a Hyena family outside their den. Two little ones where playing around their elders and a very small pup had a prolonged suckling session. It did not want it stop even when the adult female got up and started walking away. For a little while the tiny Hyena was dragged along until it finally release mum. A beautiful sighting on a damp morning!
Pictures by Christian Sperka – Resident Wildlife Photographer – Thanda Safari
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A patient cat!
I really enjoyed this one!
Thanda Safari guests’ enjoyed today’s Leopard sighting. The beautiful cat climbed a tree after an encounter with another male and then stayed there patiently until all game viewing vehicles had come by and all our guests had a good look at him. As the last vehicle arrived he decided to leave the tree and disappear in the undergrowth.
What an evening!
Picture by Christian Sperka – Resident Wildlife Photographer – Thanda Safari
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LONG LIVE THE KING – Africa Geographic Magazine
Nine of my Lion images got published in the recent issue of Africa Geographic Magazine. The pictures accompany an article by ecologist and science journalist Cheryl Lyn Dybas titled the LONG LIVE THE KING – LAST ROAR OF AFRICA’S LIONS.
As a partner photographer for Panthera, the only organization in the world devoted exclusively to the conservation of the world’s 38 wild cat species, I had been asked to contribute to this story about the plight of Lions in West and Central Africa. And I was very happy to do so!
An interesting and important – but very sobering – article!
http://magazine.africageographic.com/weekly/issue-88/long-live-the-king/
#africageo #pantheracats #panthera #christiansperka
Bird of the Day – African Fish Eagle
The sound of Africa: African Fish Eagle – This picture was taken at iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu Natal (St.Lucia Estuary).
To view more of my African Fish Eagle images go to http://www.sperka.biz/sgb9
The African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa wherever large bodies of open water occur that have an abundant food supply. It is the national bird of Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Sudan.
This species resembles the North American Bald Eagle in appearance.
The African Fish Eagle is a large bird, and the female, at 3.2-3.6 kg (7-8 lbs) is larger than the male, at 2-2.5 kg (4.4-5.5 lbs). The adult is very distinctive in appearance with a mostly brown body with a white head like the Bald Eagle and large, powerful, black wings. The plumage of the juvenile is brown in colour, and the eyes are paler compared to the adult. The feet have rough soles and are equipped with powerful talons in order to enable the eagle to grasp slippery aquatic prey.
World Wildlife Day 2016
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” Mahatma Gandhi
Noisy 15 Seconds
I enjoyed this morning game drive 🙂
There is no comparison to a proper Lion roar. Turn your volume up and then listen to 15 very noisy seconds with Thanda Safari’s dominant male Lion. And then imagine you are sitting in an open Safari vehicle 15 meters from this magnificent cat. What an incredible feeling. That’s Thanda!
Pictures and Video by Christian Sperka – Resident Wildlife Photographer – Thanda Safari
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Thanda Safari is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World
Bird of the Day – Purple-crested Turaco
A shy and very beautiful bird: Purple-crested Turaco. The Zulus call it Gwala Gwala, which means coward, describing its behavior at slightest disturbance 🙂 This picture was taken at Mkuze Game Reserve, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
To view more of my Gwala Gwala images go to http://www.sperka.biz/sgb8
The Purple-crested Turaco (Tauraco porphyreolophus) is the National Bird of the Kingdom of Swaziland, and the crimson flight feathers of this and related Turaco species are important in the ceremonial regalia of the Swazi royal family. It has a purple colored crest above a green head, a red ring around their eyes, and a black bill. The neck and chest are green and brown. The rest of the body is purple, with red flight feathers. Purple-crested Turacos live in woodland and evergreen forests. They eat mainly fruit.
Bird of the Day – Lilac-breasted Roller
One of the most striking color combinations in the bush: Lilac-breasted Roller. This picture was taken at Kings Camp, Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa.
To view more of my Lilac-breasted Roller images go to http://www.sperka.biz/sgb5
The Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus) is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, preferring open woodland and savanna. 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. Nesting takes place in a natural hole in a tree where a clutch of 2–4 eggs is laid, and incubated by both parents, who are extremely aggressive in defence of their nest, taking on raptors and other birds. During the breeding season the male will rise to great heights, descending in swoops and dives, while uttering harsh, discordant cries.
Bird of the Day – Secretary Bird
One of my favorite birds of prey: The Secretary Bird. This picture was taken at Etosha National Park in Namibia.
To view more of my Secretary Bird images go to http://www.sperka.biz/sgb6
The Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a very large bird of prey. Endemic to Africa, it is usually found in the open grasslands and savannah of the sub-Saharan region.
Unlike most birds of prey, the Secretary Bird is largely terrestrial, hunting its prey on foot. Adults hunt in pairs and sometimes as loose familial flocks, stalking through the habitat with long strides. Prey may consist of insects, small mammals, lizards, snakes, young birds, bird eggs, and sometimes also dead animals. The importance of snakes in the diet may have been exaggerated in the past, although they can be locally important and venomous species such as adders and cobras are regularly among the types of snake preyed upon.
It appears on the coats of arms of Sudan and South Africa.
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