This one is actually called a Bushpig. The members of this species are completely nocturnal and extremely shy.
During my 19 years in the bush I have only seen them a few times and I got even fewer pictures. They are very fierce creatures which even Lions usually leave alone. So, this is not your average pig.
Have a good day!
#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #lockdownsafari #bushpig
Spotted Hyenas often look like they are laughing. But fierce competition within their species and pressure from Lions provide very few reasons for laughter. I love to watch these incredible creatures, the leaders of nature’s clean up crew 😊
Have a good Wednesday!
Thandasafari @thandasafari #Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #lockdownsafari
I love the high-pitched sound Cheetahs produce when they are calling one another. This is a short video of a male coalition calling for a female nearby. We were parked right next to them and I was able to get this footage with my iPhone.
I hope you will enjoy your evening!
#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari #lockdownsafari
The evening’s game drive was all about Rhinos, Black and White. A little White Rhino was suckling as the patient mum stood very still for quite a long time. As we came around a corner in the road a Black Rhino listened very carefully before running off. And on the way home I could just stop the car in time, not to injure this beautiful African Rock Python as it crossed the road.
Have a good night!
#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari #lockdownsafari
When I was archiving pictures I came across this image of two little Lions, which I took many years ago.
But I think baby Lion pictures never get old 😊
I am back from my off time and I hope you will continue to enjoy my two daily posts.
Have a good week!
#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #lockdownsafari #babylions #lion #lions #lioncubs
Hello Everyone
Since the Covid-19 crisis started I have been on game drives almost every day to create content for two social media post daily (64 consecutive days of posting with 130 messages).
Now it is time for a little break.
From Monday, 25 May to Sunday, 31 May I will put away my iPhones and iPad, my cameras and my drone and stay away from my computers for a while.
The Stay-at-Home picture posts and the Lock-Down-Safari posts will resume on Monday, 1June. Thanks for your understanding.
Have a good week and stay safe 😊
#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography
Tomorrow, Sunday, 25 May, I will be spending all day at the small waterhole in front of the Thanda Safari Lodge.
From time to time – when something interesting is happening at the waterhole – I will go Live on Instagram Stories at http://www.instagram.com/thandasafari and http://www.instagram.com/christiansperkaphotography.
I am looking forward to chatting with many of you then.
As soon as the Covid-19 crisis is over, all of us at Thanda are looking forward to welcoming you for your own relaxing Sunday at the waterhole!
Christian Sperka, Resident Wildlife Photographer at Thanda Safari
A Cheepard!
Well, there is no such animal, but
I think this would be a good term for a Cheetah which behave more like a Leopard. One of Thanda Safari’s male Cheetahs is very shy and elusive, likes the thick bush and has no problem to disappear for days on end. Even with telemetry (all Thanda’s Cheetahs are part of a conservation program and wear radio collars) this specimen is behaving like Houdini.
But this morning, with the help of Thanda Safari’s wildlife coordinator Mariana Venter, I was able to take some good pictures of this beautiful cat. On the same game drive we saw another Cheetah female, a Black Rhino, a Black-headed Heron and a magnificent Kudu bull in the morning mist.
What a drive!
Enjoy your weekend and stay safe!
#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari
At this evening game drive I focused mainly on Giraffes.
I really enjoy these awkwardly designed but rather slow thinking creatures with their huge eyes.
Have a good evening – Stay safe!
#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari
I usually get up around 4:30am but today Lion roars coming from directly in front of my room woke me up half an hour early. I quickly got ready and went out with the Green Mamba (my safari vehicle) to find the sources of the sounds. After a few minutes I caught up with our two dominant males who were in a roaring match with the neighbor’s cats.
For the next four hours I kept trailing them on their morning territorial walk. I will put together video footage and pictures from this magical morning and post it soon. For today I have combined one of my favorite pictures taken around 5:15am under a starry sky while they performed a roaring duet next to my car.
I recommend you close your eyes for half a minute and enjoy the amazing sound!
Stay safe.
#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 