More images (and the story) coming soon …
This picture shows three Ostrich males on the plane below the misty Hlomo Hlomo mountain.
Incredible Sky!
After a light afternoon rain a magnificent rainbow appeared today over Thanda.
The camera can only capture a fraction of the real beauty of this incredible African sky.
Pictures by Christian Sperka – Specialist Photography Guide and Resident Wildlife Photographer – Thanda Private Game Reserve
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Thanda Private Game Reserve is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World
Just a teaser!
I spent Monday and Tuesday on a friend’s Game Reserve. Look out for the stunning images to come …
Frog Watch
Imagine you drive along the road and suddenly a Frog jumps up from the front of your car, lands in the middle of your windscreen and then keeps staring at you while you keep driving 🙂
This one did that to me!
After a little while I drove close to a branch and gave him a chance to get off. He hang onto this branch for a little while before moving on.
405 Drawing of a little lion who just woke up in ballpoint pen after photo by Christian Sperka
Have a look what Thomas did with my picture (see today’s post)!
WO’GOA travel magazine
A great 32 page article about Thanda with 20 of my wildlife images was published in WO’GOA Travel Magazine.
Full online Version:
http://issuu.com/wogoa/docs/wo_goa_something_is_always_brewing._7ace47577c3483/25?e=11152346/11766886
Thanks to WO’GOA travel magazine for this fabulous photo led feature on us!
The 32 page article is available online at http://issuu.com/wogoa/docs/wo_goa_something_is_always_brewing._7ace47577c3483/25?e=11152346/11766886
Flying Venom Video
This is a short YouTube video about a recent snake release. This Mozambique Spitting Cobra mistook the lens of my GoPro for an eye and spat directly onto it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD7R_weiP8I
Youngsters!
These three Wildebeest youngster were playing hard, but as soon as I got close enough to take pictures they just posed for the camera!
More about Blue Wildebeest:
The gestation period is about eight and a half months and between 80 and 90% of the calves are born within a three-week time period. Female wildebeest give birth in the middle of a herd rather than alone, and typically in the middle of the day. This allows time for the newborn to become steady on its feet before night falls and the predators become more active. Calves weigh about 19 kg (42 lb) at birth, and can usually stand on their own within a few minutes of birth. To escape predation, calves remain close to their mothers for a significant time, and may continue suckling until the next year’s calf is nearly due.
And the answer is …
Dried Mozambique Spitting Cobra Venom!
Congratulations to everyone who got the correct answer and thanks for all the other “inventive” guesses.
When I release captured snakes I usually place them in front of my GoPro to record the event. This small Cobra mistook the camera lens for an eye and targeted its venom accordingly (The picture shows her in “mid-spit”). Full marks for hitting the target 🙂 This was an excellent demonstration why it is very important to always wear protective goggles when dealing with a Spitting Cobra or any “unidentified” snake. Better safe than sorry.
These snakes are generally nervous and highly strung. When confronted at close quarters they spread their long narrow hoods and will readily “spit” in defense. By doing this the venom can be ejected at a distance of 2–3 metres (6½-10 feet), with remarkable accuracy. When in a confined area like a tube these reptiles might bite instead of spit.
What substance?
When I picked up my GoPro camera after a “wildlife photo shoot” there was a strange substance on the lens. Can you guess what it is?
