CHRISTIAN SPERKA PHOTOGRAPHY – Page 82 – Christian Sperka Photography

2020-05-22

STAY-AT-HOME FRIDAY

Humans go jogging to keep fit but animals only move fast if they if they really have to.

What do you think is the reason for those two large male Lions to jogg for the good part of a kilometer (half a mile)?

I can tell you that it has nothing to do with keeping fit. It was all about getting close to the two males on the neighboring property who were having their morning roar. Eventually they stopped jogging and started roaring in return.

But that will be another short video coming soon 😊 Stay tuned and stay safe!

PS: All of this was recorded with an iPhone XS Max!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari #iphonesafari #smartphonesafari

2020-05-212020-05-22

STAY-AT-HOME THURSDAY

Three days ago I asked if you can name the Small Five. So here are the answers: Antlion, Leopard Tortoise, Elephant Shrew, Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, and Rhino Beatle.

And I got one more question: who are the Ugly Five 😊? (… and no, they do not include me!)

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

2020-05-20

STAY-AT-HOME WEDNESDAY

Sorry, today’s picture is a bit late: Lions having a nigh time drink!

Stay safe.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

2020-05-19

STAY-AT-HOME TUESDAY

There are the Big Five and then the Small Five. Leopard Tortoises are my favorite of the Small Five. Can you name the other four?

🐆 🐢 😊 …

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

2020-05-18

STAY-AT-HOME MONDAY

Have you ever seen a Zebra photobombing?! 😊

Have a good week, stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

2020-05-17

The ANTELOPES of Thanda

On safari we talk a lot about the big five and most of the pictures we post are about them. The antelopes are often overlooked in photography even if one sees them far more often than the Big Five.

Over the last few days I have introduced the five antelope species, which I am seeing most on my game drives: Impala, Wildebeest, Nyala, Kudu and Waterbuck.

In this collage I have included the other seven species living on Thanda. Some of them are not seen so often, but they are around.

1 Greater Kudu *

2 Waterbuck *

3 Blue Wildebeest *

4 Nyala *

5 Common Reedbuck

6 Impala *

7 Southern Bushbuck

8 Mountain Reedbuck

9 Common Duiker

10 Natal Red Duiker

11 Steenbok

12 Suni

> Listed in order of weight/size

* = Commonly seen on Thanda

2020-05-16

LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXXXVII

https://youtu.be/WFhTpeN85rk

Today’s lock down safari is a five minute speedy video around the savanna. Just click on the link and enjoy the ride 😊 and stay safe!

Wildlife4Kids http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery http://www.sperka.biz

My YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/christiansperkaphotography

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

2020-05-16

ANTELOPES!

Today: Blue Wildebeest or Striped Gnu

Sometimes people forget that Wildbeest are antelopes. With their funny looks – they are one of the Ugly Five – they appear a bit like lean and upset cows 😊.

Their social interactions are rather unusual for antelopes. The males are territorial and the females are nomadic. This means that if the ladies like the local place holder they will stay with him for a while. And if not they will move on to the next contender’s area.

That is the reason why a friend of mine calls single Wildebeest bulls the losers. When ladies approach a male’s territory then he will move to a high point in his area and start displaying for them. It can look rather odd. That is the reason why the Zulu word for Wildebeest is iNkonkoni, which also means crazy.

Have a good day and stay safe!

Wildlife4Kids

http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales

http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery

http://www.sperka.biz

My YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/christiansperkaphotography

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

2020-05-15

ANTELOPES!

Today: Waterbuck

Of all large antelopes at Thanda Waterbucks are the shyest. They are specialized to live in wet environments like marshes and they secret a greasy, smelly substance into their pelt to repel water. It smells so bad that even Oxpeckers will never sit on Waterbucks! The ointment also helps with their hooves. Unlike other hoofed animals they do not get foot rot when staying on very wet ground for a long time. Only the males have beautiful straight horns.

Have a good weekend and and stay safe!

Wildlife4Kids

http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales

http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery

http://www.sperka.biz

My YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/christiansperkaphotography

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

2020-05-14

ANTELOPES!

Today: Impalas

Impalas are the most common antelope on Thanda Safari. They always look immaculate because they practice allo-grooming. This means that they groom each other with their special comb like teeth in places they cannot reach themselves.

Male and female look very similar except that the males are larger and have horns. We are currently in the rutting season when males fight for their mating rights. During that time they also make incredible loud grunting noises to get ride of rivals and – I assume 😊 – to attract the ladies.

Enjoy your day and stay safe!