CHRISTIAN SPERKA PHOTOGRAPHY – Page 110 – Christian Sperka Photography

2016-04-15

Nashville Memories

Clouded Leopard portrait

An artist named Martyn Norris has recently asked for permission to use one of my Clouded Leopard images as a basis for one of his drawings. I really like the result – thanks Martyn!

And looking at this image took me back to when I was working as photographer and photography teacher at Nashville Zoo at Grassmere. I really enjoyed my time in Nashville and I miss my friends in the Music City USA. I hope to visit again, soon.

If you are travelling to Nashville make sure you visit this excellent zoo – http://www.nashvillezoo.org …

… and also have a look at Martyn’s other work (if your are on Facebook 🙂 – http://www.facebook.com/martynfoxart.

2016-04-13

A bath to cool down – a drink to refresh …

I really enjoyed this one. Thanks to Ali (Thanda Safari Wildlife Department) for calling me in.

Elephants are smart. First the Thanda Safari Herd of Elephants had a refreshing bath at one waterhole (chasing away some Buffalo to get the tub for themselves). Then they moved to the next waterhole for a drink of clean – non-muddy – water.

How many Elephants do you count? It was the complete herd, and a few adult bulls joining the ladies and the youngsters for the refreshment.

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

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Thanda Safari is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World

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2016-03-27

Happy Easter Everyone!

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2016-03-21

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

Thanda Safari is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World

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2016-03-14

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

Thanda Safari is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World

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2016-03-04

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

2016-03-03

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

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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.

2016-03-03

World Wildlife Day 2016

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” Mahatma Gandhi

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2016-02-282016-03-01

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

Thanda Safari is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World

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2016-02-252016-02-25

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

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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.