THANDA – Page 114 – Christian Sperka Photography

2012-10-22

Proof!

When I drove towards Thanda House this morning I saw a few yellowish spots in a tree, which we not there before.

When I came closer I was surprised to see Lions lounging in a tree next to the road. And I was even more surprised to not only see the juveniles in the tree, but also one of the big Lionesses.

I watched them for a while (and they me :-)) until they decided that it got too hot up there and they moved across the road into thick (and cool) bush.

It was as that they wanted to proof the point I made with a picture I published yesterday (Lions and Trees – https://christiansperka.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/lions-and-trees/).

2012-10-21

Identified

The picture in the previous post was of two Cape Buffalo bulls fighting!

Here is the complete picture.

PS: Please note the “un-disturbed” Oxpecker on the bull to the left 🙂

2012-10-21

Identify?

It is a very rainy day at Thanda and I am not driving today. So I was working in my office on pictures. I came across an interesting picture and I cut out a detail.

Can you identify the species, the number of animals involved and the activity they are engaged in?

2012-10-21

Lions and Trees

It is often said that Lions only seldom climb trees.

In my experience it happens quite regular. Especially with cubs and juveniles. If one of the youngsters climbs a tree all the others usually have to follow :-).

And sometimes this can be quite amusing as the young males are usually much more clumsy at this than the females.

Have a great Sunday!

2012-10-18

Foamy Nest and Many Fathers :-)

Nests of Foam-nest Tree Frogs are very important “bush signs”. These type of Frogs build bright white nests on branches above water. They mate in what is described as polyandry. The simultaneous polyandry begins when a female releases eggs onto a tree branch. Up to 12 males then cluster around her and fertilize the eggs by producing sperm which they whip into a foamy ‘nest’ with their hind legs.

These nests are warning signs for bush walkers. If one spots one of the nests one knows that there is a water body below, which – in the “hot season” often attract Buffalo, Black Rhinos and other large mammals for a cooling mud bath. So whenever one sees these nests one should be extra careful walking in the area.

2012-10-17

Elephant Road Block

When I left Thanda House today to drive over to Base Camp I hit a bit of traffic. But my delay was not caused by other cars but by our herd of Elephants. And just as I stopped the car and got my camera out – never leave home without it 🙂 – our youngest herd member crossed the road. He got a bit excited and I could confirm that we got a little boy!

2012-10-14

Expression

I was filing images today when I came across this one. I love the expression on the young Lion’s face. He had just finished eating on a Wildebeest kill.

Have a good Sunday!

2012-10-13

Bush Statistics :-)

Today I put together my Thanda sighting report. I had a total of 183 major/special game sightings since I arrived at Thanda in June.

Here are the detailed numbers 🙂
42 x Lions / 40 x Elephants / 34 x Cheetah / 32 x Buffalo / 23 x White Rhino / 3 x Spotted Hyena / 2 x Leopard / 1 x Black Rhino / 1 x African Wild Dog /5 x Others (Jackal, Python, Puff Adder, Vultures)

And here are three of my favorite pictures from this week …

… our Elephant herd moving away from me. Please note the little one (2 weeks old) in between!

… two Zebras biting one another “lovingly”

… one of the Cheetah brothers walking close to my camera (on the savanna)

2012-10-13

Growing Fast!

Our four small Lion subs are growing up fast. But they are still the favorites for most of the Thanda guests 🙂

2012-10-12

Funny Posture!

Yesterday, I caught this Giraffe in this funny posture just as it was getting on its feet from a sitting position.

Giraffe sleep only for very short periods, usually no longer than 5 minutes at a time and they cannot put their head down for any extended time, as they would risk brain damage from the increased blood pressure.

And a personal note …

For the next seven days my tracker Bheki and I are on leave. After driving Thanda guests for most of our 21 work days we have now one week of time to relax before getting back to work for another 21 day stretch. I hope to get a chance to go to Mkuze Game Reserve and to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve to get some animal pictures from different environments.