Heavy Breathing!

Heavy breathers 😊 Thanda Safari’s male Lions (coalition) were strolling past the Green Mamba this afternoon, breathing rather heavily. The ultra-wide-angle lens of my new iPhone Pro Max captures the scene very nicely 🦁

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

THANDA SAFARI WILDLIFE AND PHOTOGRAPHY WEEKEND

I thought some of you might be interested in the upcoming wildlife and photography weekend on Thanda Safari.

I will be around all weekend to help with camera setups, answer questions and – if requested – critique pictures.

Lorraine Doyle (Wildlife Manager) and I will give short talks about the supporting role of photography in wildlife conservation.

We will also have a ‘best photo of the weekend’ competition.

And Vincent Hindson, Thanda Safari field guide and expert photographer, will join me to support our photographer-guests.

For more info or bookings please contact reservations@thanda.co.za or call +27325860149.

#Thandasafari @thandasafari #christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography

Night View

A beautiful night view of one of Thanda Safari’s water holes.

With the incredible rains in this season all our dams and pans are full and currently there is water in puddles all over the reserve. Together with the lush vegetation this provides ideal conditions for all fauna to flourish.

This picture was taken last night after the sun had set with my new iPhone 12 Pro Max!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

HAPPY EASTER

… to all my friends around the world 🐰 🥚 🐣 My easter bunny picture is a of a South African Baby Scrub Hare at Thanda Safari.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

🐦 NEW FOR BIRD LOVERS 🐦

@ChristianSperkaBirding

Many of my birder friends have ‘complained’ that most of my photography posts at @christiansperkaphotography are about mammals and only a very few about birds.

I have therefore decided to start a new Instagram account @christiansperkabirding and a new Facebook page http://www.fb.me/christiansperkabirding where 100% of all posts will be about birds.

Please follow either of them and feel free to share this information with anyone else who might enjoy my wildlife and bird photography. Thanks!

I will also create a ‘Birding Read-Only WhatsApp Group’ with the same posts in case any of you are not using social media but still would like to receive the picture posts. Just send me a message and I will add you to the group 😊

PS: The on-going bird quiz posts are separate and have nothing to do with this page.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari #pakamisagamereserve @pakamisagamereserve #krugernationalpark #mkuze #mkuzegamereserve #kruger @nashvillezoo #nashvillezoo

Let’s talk about big cats – the honorary members!

Beside the five official members of the genus Panthera (Tiger, Lion, Jaguar, Leopard and Snow Leopard) there are five more cat species which do not quite fit into the ‘small cat definition’ as they are rather large and/or have very special features.

I will introduce these over the next few days. Let’s start today with the fastest land animal: The Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus).

It is the only cat fully adapted for speed instead of power. It cannot roar and misses other big car traits. It is therefore classified in its own genus. I took this Cheetah portrait a few years ago at Thanda Safari.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

RELAXED

I love sitting with relaxed Leopards and observe these beautiful creatures observing me 😊

#Thandasafari @thandasafari #christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography

AFTERNOON SUN

It is a pure pleasure to watch a herd of Elephants in the late afternoon sun. The Thanda Safari guests enjoyed this encounter with the some of our gentle giants very much.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari