THANDA – Page 101 – Christian Sperka Photography

2013-07-11

A bad image …

… but I had to post it 🙂

My first night back at Thanda and what do you think woke me up?

… Thanda’s dominant male Lion was roaring this morning and it sounded as if he was in front of my door. The sun had not risen yet, it was still quite dark. I got up and opened my front door to see the large male crossing the road outside the gate.

I had no camera in my room so I grabbed my iPad and took this (very marginal) image of the male disappearing into the grass. See if you can spot him.

A bad image, but what a wake-up call!

2013-06-26

Small cat on the way home

Today Bheki and I saw this Serval on the way back from the Lodge. A very special sighting!

2013-06-24

Morning Walk with Mum!

Thanda’s three month old Cheetah cubs were on a early morning walk down the road with their mum and the Thanda guests had a good look at them.

When the cubs are this young we do not view them “off-road” so this was a very special treat not only for the guests, but also for all trackers and guides who got to see them that morning.

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Cold Sunrise!

When I left Thanda at sunrise our two male Cheetah walked directly towards me. In this picture the “visible” Cheetah’s breath is a sign for a cold winter’s morning in Kwazulu Natal.

I spent an enjoyable day at a hide in Mkuze Game Reserve and I will post a few of today’s images in the near future :-).

… and thanks for all the kind birthday wishes!

2013-06-18

Giant Pictures

When one is taking close-up pictures of two male Elephants sparring it feels a bit like taking pictures of two giants. In this case the two young bulls were close enough to merit the use of a wide angle lens which is not used too often for wildlife photography :-).

The Thanda guests on my vehicle and on the vehicle in the picture enjoyed this action-filled sighting.

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Solid Food!

Thanda’s small Cheetah cubs are already eating some solid food. Their mum had hunted an Impala and they joined in the – for Cheetah typical – hasty meal. The three month old the cubs are also still suckling.

The pictures show the cubs in the road waiting for their mum to return from her hunt, mum looking for the cubs and the cubs in the high grass around the kill.

Patience for almost two hours was rewarded with these images!

2013-06-14

The First Wild Leopard

Showing a Leopard to his guests is a pleasure for any field guide.

But being able to show one of these magnificent creatures to someone who has never seen a Leopard before is very special.

This happened to me on Friday evening. One of the Thanda guests on my vehicle saw her very first wild Leopard!

2013-06-11

Welcome home!

Our dominant male Lion gave me an impressive “Welcome Home” at the end of today’s evening game drive.

The Thanda guests on my vehicle were most impressed … and so was I 🙂

2013-06-11

A very special place…

Today it is one year since I have arrived at Thanda Private Game Reserve. It is a very special place to work and to live at.

Having three jobs (Field Guide, Photography Teacher and Resident Wildlife Photographer) at the same time is demanding, but I really enjoy doing all three!

This is a collage of some of my favorite images which I have taken since my arrival at Thanda.

Thanks Thanda!

2013-06-10

What a feeling!

Being chased by a male Lion is an incredible feeling.

Even if the chase is not meant for the vehicle but for other Lions nearby. When this huge predator runs to close the distance to the vehicle your instinct is telling you to get away while your knowledge tells you to stand your ground.

While the experienced Thanda guides take the proper decisions – keeping a cool head – some of our guests have one of the most exciting moments in their life.

What a feeling!