I hate what happens to Rhinos all over Africa. Human ignorance and stupidity may eliminate these fascinating species. Please support all efforts to stop the madness!
Feathery Spectrum!
I have not posted a bird picture for quite a while. So here are a few images of one of my favorite birds in South Africa.
Lilac-breaster Rollers have many colors of the spectrum in their plumage.
These pictures were taken in Phinda Private Game Reserve, the Timbavati Private Game Reserve and in Kruger National Park.
More about Lilac-breasted Rollers:
The Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus) is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. Usually found alone or in pairs, it perches conspicuously at the tops of trees, poles or other high vantage points from where it can spot insects, lizards, scorpions, snails, small birds and rodents moving about at ground level. It is the national bird of Botswana.
Photography Class on Saturday
Quite a few people have asked me if I will still teach photography classes before I leave for South Africa end of May.
Yes, I will 🙂
There are still a few places available in the class this Saturday (from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m.). Here is the link in case you would like to book: http://www.nashvillezoo.org/education/animal-art-photography-i-adult
There is one more class scheduled before I leave:
Animal Art Photography II on 5/19/2012
http://www.nashvillezoo.org/education/animal-art-photography-ii-adult
Starting in June Amiee Stubbs, the Official Nashville Zoo Photographer, will start teaching the classes and private lessons at the Nashville Zoo.
Picture of the Week 14 – The tree that shines from afar
[View all Pictures of the Week 2012]
This African Elephant is browsing in between Fever Trees on Phinda Private Game Reserve, South Africa.
In the Zulu language the Fever Tree is called umHlosinga (the tree that shines from afar). This beautiful acacia has a pale white bark and green foliage. It is one of the few trees where photosynthesis takes place in the bark. The yellow color on the Elephant’s skin is from rubbing against one of the trees.
Enjoy the picture!
The Tree That Shines From Afar ( Fever Tree – Acacia xanthophloea)
REMINDER – South Africa 100 – Invitation for tomorrow’s First Saturday Gallery Crawl
At my last event at the April First Saturday Gallery Crawl I will show one hundred of my best African wildlife images at the Arcade in downtown Nashville.
A reception with drinks and “nibbles” will be held from 2p.m. to 6.pm. for all of you receiving this invitation . The offical gallery crawl will start at 6p.m. and last until 9p.m.
When: Saturday, April 7, 2012 from 2p.m. to 9p.m.
Where: Christian Sperka Photography / Animal Art Photography Gallery at the Arcade
For more information go to https://christiansperka.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/south-africa-100-invitation/
More from Reelfoot Lake …
Here are four more Reelfoot Lake pictures (Tennessee, USA).
Check out Nancy Moore’s website for more information on boat trips on the lake http://blbweb.bluebasin.com (the site is about her “bed and breakfast” place, but she also does great photography lake trips – just contact her at jaybird@bluebasin.com)
Into the Sun – Osprey and Geese at Sunrise on Reelfoot Lake
Take-off – Duck on Reelfoot Lake
Nesting – Bald Eagle at Reelfoot Lake
What are YOU looking at? – Osprey at Reelfoot Lake
Enjoy the pictures!
Picture of the Week 13 – Final Approach
[View all Pictures of the Week 2012]
This Osprey was landing on his nest on a dead tree in Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee, USA.
I took this picture on Tuesday morning during a very productive four hour boat tour on the lake.
More pictures will follow soon (I got a bit of an editing backlog :-).
Owl, Turtle and Duck!
Today I got quite a few interesting shots during my morning walk at Radnor Lake (Nashville, Tennessee, USA).
Enjoy the Owl, the Turtles and the Duck 🙂
South Africa 100 – Invitation
Invitation to the First Saturday Gallery Crawl
At my last event at the April First Saturday Gallery Crawl I will show one hundred of my best African wildlife images at the Arcade in downtown Nashville. These images were taken during my 20 trips to Southern Africa over the last ten years.
A reception with drinks and “nibbles” will be held from 2p.m. to 6.pm. for all of you receiving this invitation :-). The offical gallery crawl will start at 6p.m. and last until 9p.m.
When: Saturday, April 7, 2012 from 2p.m. to 9p.m.
Where: Christian Sperka Photography / Animal Art Photography Gallery at the Arcade [Downtown Nashville in the block between Church and Union Streets and 4th and 5th Avenues]
My gallery will close on April 8, 2012. Amiee Stubbs, the new Official Nashville Zoo Photographer, will open her new gallery at the same location during the June First Saturday Gallery Crawl. See amieestubbs.com.
PS: A few people have asked me what they could get me as a good-bye present for my move to South Africa. As I will have stringent luggage and shipment restrcitions I suggest for those who want, that they could contribute to my “African Vehicle Fund” = small contributions to buy my first vehicle in SA. But, the best gift would be for you to come on Saturday, April 7, and enjoy the afternoon and evening with me!
Coveted by lions ?
Coveted by Lions! ?
That’s how many of my friends see me once I am in Africa, including a cartoonist many years ago :-). Well, I will try to stay off the lunch menu of these beautiful cats at Thanda, my new home and place of work in South Africa.
Over the last few weeks I got asked many times where exactly is Thanda? So here is some more information:
Thanda is situated approximately 220 km north of Durban. The closest commercial airport is Richards Bay and the closest international airport is King Shaka Airport, Durban.
Coordinates – Base Camp: 27° 48′ 23″ South, 32° 06′ 33″ East (View using Google Maps)
It is located in northern Kwazulu Natal, in a sub-tropical, semi-arid area and the climate is very warm with average daily temperatures spanning 20°C – 30°C. Because Thanda is situated so close to the Indian Ocean, warmed by the Agulhas sea current, the summers are not as short as Mpumalanga and the winters are not as cold.
Reserve size: ~14,000 hectare / ~140 square kilometers /~35,000 acres
Thanda hosts the magnificent seven – Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Cape Hunting Dog, Black and White Rhino, Cape Buffalo and African Elephants – as well as a large variety of general game species (Giraffe, Zebra, Kudu, Impala, Nyala, Wildebeest ….) and many different birds species.
I have started my preparations for the move to South Africa, if everything goes well I will arrive at Thanda on June 7, 2012!
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 