CHRISTIAN SPERKA PHOTOGRAPHY – Page 125 – Christian Sperka Photography

2013-03-07

Cape Vidal

On the first two days of my off-time I took a short trip to Cape Vidal on the Indian Ocean. This was the first time I was near the ocean since I arrived in South Africa last June.

In the next few days I will post a few picture stories from my excursion to the St.Lucia Wetlands and Cape Vidal.

This picture shows me walking on the beach at sunset. During the day there were a few dozen people on the beach, but in the late evening only the overnight guests at Cape Vidal remained. I had most of the beach to myself. Good for thinking. I loved it!

2013-02-16

More …

I have been asked by many of my blog readers if I could have more of my wildlife images online. Well, I have uploaded over 380 images which I took since my arrival in South Africa in June 2012. I will add new images every month and the new images will always be at the beginning of the gallery.

Here is the link to the new 2012/2013 New Wildlife Images Gallery : http://www.sperka.biz/new

Enjoy your weekend!

PS: The picture above is my new Facebook Cover!

2013-02-14

Happy Valentine’s Day

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY to all my friends near and far!

If you would like to send a Valentine’s Day e-card with one of my images and make a donation to Panthera at the same time go to http://www.panthera.org/ecards

PS: All the donated money goes 100% to projects to protect the World’s Wild Cats.

2013-01-24

The Circle of Life!

I have recently created this slide to explain the Circle of Life to my guests on one of their game drives. It is amazing to see all the components of this cycle by just looking around when driving through the game reserve.

This fits well with my favorite conservation quote:

“In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught” – Baba Dioum

2013-01-102013-01-10

Somewhat tedious!

During my time off I am organizing all my images from the last three work weeks on Thanda. A somewhat tedious task (looking through hundreds of images), but it has its rewards 🙂

This morning I stumbled across this picture of a young Leopard who dragged a small Warthog kill in a tree. The youngster did have a good look around if anyone was watching before it started its meal.

I also came across the picture below which is now my new Facebook cover:

http://www.facebook.com/AnimalArtPhotography

Enjoy your weekend!

2013-01-092013-01-09

Hluhluwe/iMfolozi

What does a professional Field Guide/Wildlife Photographer do when he is off work and does not have to drive guests in a game reserve?

He goes to another game reserve and drives for the whole day – just for fun 🙂

Today I was the first time in famous Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game Reserve. I had many good sightings (Elephants, White Rhinos, Buffalo Giraffe, …). But my favorite pictures of today are of Chacma Baboons. I watched a family while they were bedding down in a tree for the night.

Enjoy the pictures!

2012-12-252012-12-25

Christmas and New Year in South Africa

Quite a few people have asked me how I spend my Christmas and New Year at Thanda. The answer is simple: Working…

This is one of the busiest times of the year at a game reserve as many guests want to spend a special “Wildlife” Christmas or New Year.

But – as I enjoy being in the bush and guiding people in this beautiful Big Five reserve – working over the holidays is not a sacrifice.

Yesterday I went with two guest families to the Elephant interaction at Bayete Game Reserve. This is one of the regular excursion we do with our guests. Everyone enjoyed interacting with Rambo, Rachel and Jabulani. These three “semi-wild” Elephants which roam freely on the game reserve show up every day for their “human interaction”.

I hope all of you enjoy the festive season, wherever you are!

2012-12-202012-12-20

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2013

With my best wishes for the holiday season from South Africa – Christian

PS: The picture is of one of the North Pride Lion cubs at Thanda Private Game Reserve …

.. and the reason why I have not blogged since 16 December is that my internet connection was down for a few days.

2012-12-102012-12-10

Ostrich, River View and Trogon

I spent a few days at Amakhosi Safari Lodge, a beautiful place near Pongola. Have a look at their website www.amakhosi.com.

One of my favorite pictures from this weekend is of this female Ostrich …

… and despite the weather (from humid/hot to raging thunderstorms) I enjoyed my stay very much. From my room I had a great view of the Mkuze River. I relaxed quite a bit in the hammock while listening to the river sounds and the many bird calls …

… I saw a Narina Trogon, one of my favorite birds and a Paradise Flycatcher (no good pictures, but evidence 🙂 …

… and I enjoyed this view of the Mkuze River from a hide near the lodge, high above the river bed (with Nyala, Bushbuck and Kudu in view while I was at the hide).

Have a good week!

2012-11-15

Back at Thanda!

This time my “seven-day-weekend” was over very quickly. I got quite a bit of photography done at Pakamisa Private Game Reserve, but I will have to go back soon to finish up the job – I am looking forward to it.

The image below is one of my favorite pictures I took today (www.pakamisa.co.za). Pakamisa’s owner Isabella Stepski – on one of her horses – got very close to this Giraffe bull. He was quite relaxed being viewed from horseback.

A few days away was great, but I am also looking forward to driving again on Thanda.

Have a good weekend!