CHRISTIAN SPERKA PHOTOGRAPHY – Page 122 – Christian Sperka Photography

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Best of KwaZulu Natal

My brother Stefan visited me from Germany. He stayed in South Africa for the last two weeks.

We had a great time at three of the best places KwaZulu Natal has to offer!

First we enjoyed pure luxury on the Indian ocean staying at The Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga. Then we moved on to my “home ground” to experience the Big Five at Thanda Private Game Reserve in the heart of Zululand. The last five days we spent horse riding and relaxing on Pakamisa Private Game Reserve with its magnificent views over the hills of Northern KwaZulu Natal.

A perfect way to spend two weeks in Africa. What a life!

2014-11-19

Ellis and Hippos :-)

Today I went the first time on a Lake Jozini morning cruise. This large lake is located in Northern KwaZulu Natal, between Mkuze and Pongola, along the N2.

Despite the overcast weather I got some great Elephant and Hippos shots.

This picture shows a large herd of Elephants (over sixty individuals) coming for a “lake-side” morning drink stop. We spend almost one hour observing the Elli family life.

After we left the Elephants we saw a herd of Cape Buffalo on the opposite side of the lake and we observed Nile Crocodile, Common Reedbuck, Juvenile African Fish Eagle, White-faced Whistling Duck, African Javana, Spur-winged Goose, Egyptian Goose, Grey Heron, Secretary Bird, Western Great Egret, Marabou Stork, African Jacana, African Spoonbill, Red-billed Oxpecker and a few pods of Hippo.

The second image shows one of the Hippos “mock-charging” our boat. This female let us know that she wanted us keep our distance, which we did 🙂

What a day!

2014-11-15

Aggression!

Hippos are quite aggressive. To one another and to anyone who challenges their territory.

The picture above was taken yesterday during a “Hippo and Crocodile” tour on the estuary of Lake St.Lucia.

And so were the pictures below: Nile Crocodile, Yellow Weaver, Pied Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Great Egret, Swift Tern, Frey-headed Gull, Caspian Tern, African Fish Eagle and a Baby Hippo.

Pied Kingfisher

Great Egret

Yellow Weaver

Grey Heron

Swift Tern, Grey-headed Gull, Caspian Turn

African Fish Eagle

Baby Hippo

Nile Crocodile

2014-10-31

Fight!

Hippo males fight a lot! These two were giving quite a performance. Another unpublished image I found during my “filing work”.

Have a good weekend 🙂

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Spectrum

I am currently reviewing many of my older images as I am looking for more material for a new book.

And I came across this – so far unpublished – image of a Lilac-breasted Roller. One of my favorite birds with its many colors!

2014-10-28

Zulu for Guests :-)

Learn a bit of Zulu …..

Our guests enjoy getting to know our staff along with their Zulu culture during their stay with us just as much as spotting the wildlife! We are regularly being asked for the Zulu translation for everyday words such as hello and thank you and have drawn up a list as a reminder for those who have recently visited. We thought it may also be of interest to those who may soon be staying with us:

Hello –Sawubona
Thank you – Ngiyabonga
Delicious – Kumnandi
Beautiful – Muhle
Good – Kuhle
Go well – Hambakahle
We are happy – Sijabule
May I please have this – Ngicela lokhu
How are you – Unjani
Sleep well – Lala kahle
See you tomorrow – Sobonana kusasa
Spoil your self – Zithokozise or Zijabulise
Good choice – Ukhethe kahle
Lion – Bubesi
Elephant – Ndlovu
Buffalo – Nyathi
White Rhino – Nkombe
Black Rhino…

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2014-10-12

What cat is that? – The answers!

… here we go … (answer to https://sperka.info/2014/10/10/what-cat-is-that/)

Snow Leopard, Pallas’Cat (or Manul), Tiger, Lion, Clouded Leopard, Jaguarundi, Cheetah, Serval, Jaguar, African Wild Cat, Leopard, Cougar (or Mountain Lion or Puma), Caracal and Eurasian Lynx.

2014-10-10

What cat is that?

A short quiz for the cat lovers among you!

These are 16 pictures of 14 different cat species – what species are they?

What cat am I?

2014-10-09

Oldies but goodies!

Oldies but goodies – one of my favourite Lion images ever 🙂

2014-10-01

OPERATION RHINO … continued

I love photo shoots like this one …

… a few more images from yesterday’s Rhino capture operation at Thanda.

Under the guidance of Dr.Mike Toft this White Rhino female was tranquillized, a transmitter was implanted into her horn by the Thanda Wildlife Management Team, a general health check was performed and many measurements and some DNA samples were taken.

A group of Thanda guest was participating in this IN THE PATH OF THE WILDLIFE experience which was organized together with Wildlands Conservation Trust. At the end of the successful procedure one of the guests was allowed to “wake up” the Rhino under the watchful eyes of Dr.Toft. What a day!

For more information about Thanda’s IN THE PATH OF THE WILDLIFE guest experiences go to http://www.thanda.com/experience/top-3-activities.htm.

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

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