CHRISTIAN SPERKA PHOTOGRAPHY – Page 120 – Christian Sperka Photography

2015-02-27

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.

2015-02-222015-02-22

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.

2015-02-212015-02-21

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?

2015-02-18

What a feeling!

I enjoyed that sighting!

My guests from Sweden had very mixed feelings about this Thanda Elephant sighting. But all of them agreed that the encounter with the young Elephant bull was one of the most extraordinary experiences they ever had.

Trackers and guides are used to the ways of these gentle giants and therefore can react accordingly. This young male was just walking down the road and gave just us a few interested looks before he moved into the bush. He was neither aggressive nor agitated but my first-time-safari-guests experienced the very special thrill of being close to one of the big five.

What a feeling!

Picture by Christian Sperka – Specialist Photography Guide and Resident Wildlife Photographer – Thanda Private Game Reserve

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2015-02-142015-02-13

Happy Valentine’s Day

2015-01-30

Family Time

A Giraffe story 🙂

This is a short picture story about one of Thanda’s youngest Giraffes and her family. Thanda guests always enjoyed observing Giraffes’ family life!

Bonding with daddy

Mum and aunties looking after the little one

Try that

Umbilical cord!

Mother and child

Family picture

Pictures by Christian Sperka – Specialist Photography Guide and Resident Wildlife Photographer – Thanda Private Game Reserve

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2015-01-242015-01-24

Pecking Order

One of my favorite Elephant images ever!

These two young bulls were sparring to measure their strength. The younger of the two – on the left – did not want to give up and kept provoking the older – and much heavier – one. The Thanda guests enjoyed this prolonged spectacle on the open savannah all around the game drive vehicle.

Picture by Christian Sperka – Specialist Photography Guide and Resident Wildlife Photographer – Thanda Private Game Reserve

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2015-01-21

To the Lodge!

Fifteen minutes, bad light and a long lens!

At the end of today’s exciting game drive with sparring Elephants, grazing White Rhinos and a few unusual bird sightings we were on our way back to the Thanda Safari Lodge when this Leopard female appeared on the road in front of us . After a quick look back at us she continued her walk, seemingly unconcerned, for fifteen minutes before disappearing into the bush. What a way to end a game drive!

Picture by Christian Sperka – Specialist Photography Guide and Resident Wildlife Photographer – Thanda Private Game Reserve

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2015-01-18

Rush to Water!

This African Harrier-hawk decided to walk to the edge of a waterhole. Funny to watch 🙂

2015-01-15

An “unhappy” snake!

I usually do not like to anthropomorphize animals but this Southern Vine Snake gave the appearance of being “unhappy”. Close to shedding its skin it was moving slowly through a tree as we spotted the snake. When I got a bit closer to take some pictures it obviously felt a bit threatened (for a short while). It inflated its neck to display the bright skin between the scales to impress its opponent. It work for me :-). This slender snake has a very bright orange tongue with a black tip.

Vine Snakes are rather shy and usually very relaxed. As with the Boomslang the chance of getting bitten is quite low. Its venom is highly haemotoxic and if a bite is not treated quickly it can be fatal. There is no anti-venom available.

It was the first time I was able to get images of this shy neighbor. What a great day!

PS: The eyes of this Vine Snake look “clouded” as it was close to skin shedding time.