End of last week we spotted the first new-born Impala. All the females of species, which have mating seasons (Impala, Wildebeest, Kudu, and Warthog), will give birth between now and January.
A lot of cuteness.
Have a good week!
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 640 | 1/750sec | f6.3 | ev+0 | 240mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode
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This week, I saw a Black Rhino flehmen for the first time.
The bull picked up the scent of a female, stuck his nose into the soil where the cow had urinated, and then inhaled as much air as possible towards the Jacobson’s organ (vomeronasal organ) to analyze if the lady was in estrous.
Many mammals show this behaviour, but I had never seen a Black Rhino doing it. What a sighting!
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 32000 | 1/500sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode
#CanonOnEyeLevel
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This morning I captured a short video clip of one of Thanda Safari’s male Lions roaring. One of the most impressive sounds to be heard on the African savanna!
Technical data Video: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | 4K video recording | Cropped/sized to HD
Technical data Picture: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 400 | 1/60sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode
#CanonOnEyeLevel
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A dazzle of Burchell’s Zebra at Thanda Safari having a bit of an argument!
#CanonOnEyeLevel
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Just before sunrise I took this image with my iPhone. I think it has a painting-like quality showing my road to work …
Technical data: Apple 14 Pro Max | Ultra Wide Camera 13mm | ISO 1000 | 1/6600sec | f2.2 | ev+0 | Edit: Shadows enhanced
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
… stood this young Kudu bull. He was stock-still, awaiting my move.
Often, the first reaction of many prey species is not to run when they encounter a predator (or anything else moving about which they are not certain, like me in my Jimny).
Instead, they freeze in place to see if the sighted potential threat continues on a course parallel or away from themselves. If that is the case, they go back to what they were doing before the encounter.
But if the subject of interest (me in this case!) turns towards them or remains still for too long, then they will take evasive action and run away.
This is exactly what happened in this case as I had to continue on the road.
Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f2.8/70-200mm | ISO 100 | 1/500sec | f2.8 | ev+0 | 170mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
Canon at Eye Level – Black Rhino
I have posted very little since early September, and some of you may have wondered what I have been up to.
I have just returned from a fantastic three week trip with two American guests who are also my friends from my time in the USA. We began our journey in the Drakensberg Mountains, visited the Battlefields, explored the iSimangaliso Wetlands, encountered the Big Five at Thanda, and concluded our travels in Durban at the fabulous Oyster Box Hotel to enjoy city life for a few days.
A few trip stats: 21 days, 7 overnight locations, 19 excursions and activities, and 11 game drives. I will soon be sharing a photo trip report about our adventures.
Upon my return, Thanda Safari and The Royal Thanda Club hosted the most extraordinary five-day event I have ever witnessed in the African bush. It was an extravaganza with over 120 guests from around the world staying in our six new Royal Thanda Club Villas, Villa iZulu, Thanda Safari Lodge, and Thanda Tented Camp. The experience was both exhilarating and exhausting!
This afternoon, for the first time in a while, I had the opportunity to venture out onto the reserve on my own. Just before sunset, I managed to capture this picture of a Black Rhino browsing in a recently burned area. The majestic creature appeared quite relaxed (for a Black Rhino!) and I was able to take a few shots from a distance. After wild cats, this is my favorite mammal species. What an evening!
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f/11, 800mm | ISO 25600 | 1/500 sec | EV +0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode
#CanonAtEyeLevel
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If you want to read more of my stories and see more of my pictures, you should visit my blog at https://sperka.info/blog/
This young Thanda Safari Lioness was following her mother across a recently burned area. I took this picture last night just as the sun had set. I love the stark contrast between the cat and the background.
Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f2.8/70-200mm | ISO 16000 | 1/500sec | f2.8 | ev+0 | 200mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode
#CanonOnEyeLevel
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
If you want to read more of my stories and see more of my pictures, you should visit my blog at https://sperka.info/blog/
This was the view morning from the Villa iZulu deck towards its waterhole. A herd of Elephants stopped by for a drink before moving on for more grazing and browsing. It was a most beautiful scene enjoyed up close by the guests on two of Thanda Safari’s game viewers.
And it was a perfect beginning to a Thanda Safari wedding day. The celebration started the previous evening with a romantic dinner under the stars. A moving wedding ceremony with 75 guests in the bush on a hilltop was followed by a creative photo shoot for the couple, a superb wedding reception with a multi-course gourmet meal, ended this morning with a bush breakfast on a warm, sunny morning.
I am happy that I was part of the team that made this happen!
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
Last night this small herd of Elephants enjoyed an evening swim at my favourite waterhole at Thanda Safari.
The sun had already set when I took this video footage with my long lenses, not disturbing their play in and around the water.
Enjoy your evening!
Technical data: Canon R6 with EF 500mm L 4.0 and with 70-200mm L 2.8 | shot without stabiler using beanbag support
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
If you want to read more of my stories and see more of my pictures, you should visit my blog at https://sperka.info/blog/
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 