… are noted for the impressive webs they weave. There are quite a few different species in the genus _Trichonephila_. The females can reach sizes of over 5cm (2″). The males are usually 2/3 smaller.
This picture shows what one can close-up work one can do with a good smart phone.
Technical data: Apple 14 Pro Max | Main Camera 48mm | ISO 80 | 1/85sec | f1.8 | ev+0 | 240mm
When a pride of lions has many juvenile members, the experienced Lionesses often leave them for a while to attempt hunting on their own.
Especially young male Lions regularly “mess up” a hunt by being too obvious and/or too clumsy.
In this picture, a Lioness returned to the pride from such an unsuccessful outing, and all the youngsters ran enthusiastically to greet her.
A moment after this image was taken, they complained (moaned) to mum about being hungry.
And a few minutes after that, a dazzle of Zebras walked by, and the whole pride (8 lions) tried to catch one of them, again with no success.
As it got very warm at the time, they all decided to settle down in the shade of a tree and try their luck again in the evening.
A great experience for the guests on my vehicle!
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 1250 | 1/3000 sec | f6.3 | EV +0 | 150mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Cropped to 25% of the original image
If you would like to read more of my stories and see more of my pictures, you should visit my blog at https://www.sperka.com
Looking at a Zebra … Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 320 | 1/2000sec | f6.3 | ev+0 | 190mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 50% of original image
When I sent this picture (which I took this evening on my way home) to a friend, he responded with ‘this is Photoshop, isn’t it’.
Well, the answer is that it is not! Our dominant male lion raised his head from sleeping just as the sun had set. I was in the right place at the right time!
This picture was taken with my iPhone 14 Pro Max and was edited with the standard iPhone tools.
Here are the steps taken:
1 – The picture was first cropped to 9:16 (portrait).
Terrapins are the ultimate sun worshippers. On a nice warm day, they will pile up on top of one another to catch the sun’s rays and at the same time exchange body heat (retain as much heat as possible to stay warm).
A few days ago, I took this picture of nine of these ‘freshwater turtles’ on a piece of wood in the middle of one of Thanda Safari’s waterholes.
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f/11 800mm | ISO 4000 | 1/500 sec | EV -1 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Cropped to 10% of the original image.
Today, I am departing for a brief excursion into the Drakensberg Mountains. I plan to explore some new locations and attend two concerts featuring the renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir.
Before my departure, I thought I share a short slide show with some of my favorite photographs captured at Thanda and Pakamisa over the past three weeks.
I hope you will like the combination of wildlife, scenery, and night skies.
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/
Thanda Safari recently purchased a Seestar S50, an intelligent astronomical telescope. I like working with it, as requires very little setup and lets me display/save the magnified stellar objects’ images on my iPad.
Besides looking at nebulas and other deep space objects it works very well for moon observation and sun observation (using a special filter).
This evening I took this moon picture from the Thanda House garden.
I also enjoy night sky photography. This – rather blue – milky way picture I took this morning at 5:30 before sunrise, during the nautical twilight, and just before the start of the ‘blue hour’. In this lucky shot I captured a shooting star.
Crisp winter nights are ideal for star gazing and photography. I am looking forward to some more night sessions in the upcoming winter months.
Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens L 17-40mm | ISO 6400 | 8sec | f4 | ev+0 | 19mm | Manual focus | WB Auto | M Mode | Crop to 40% of original image
As some of you have reminded me that I never provided the answer to my Lion quiz from 9 April, I would like to apologize for the delay. https://sperka.info/2024/04/09/noses/
Zanele, the oldest Lioness at Thanda Safari at 15 years old, was located in the top-right corner of the picture.
This is the portrait I captured of her on that day.
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f/11 800mm | ISO 3200 | 1/750sec | EV +0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Image cropped to 40% of the original size.
Two weeks ago, I wrote about our largest pride of Lions (called Zanele’s Pride). I described the energy with which the seven youngsters of the group trained for their adult life hunting skills.
When I met the group again a few days ago, they lounged comfortably at Thanda House dam near my home.
As I approached the waterhole, all nine Lions raised their heads, and I was able to get a frontal portrait shot of each of them.
It is astonishing that all of the young ones now look very much like adult Lions. Here is a bit of a quiz question:
Can you identify Zanele (15 years old) in this collage?
I give you a little hint: Look at the noses!
[The answer will be in my next post.]
If you would like to like to read more of my stories and see more of my pictures, you should visit my blog at https://sperka.info/blog/
Lions on the dam near Thanda HouseThanda House Dam
Impalas are the most prevalent type of antelope found in sub-Saharan Africa (and on Thanda Safari). They have remained pretty much the same for over five million years, a real success in terms of evolution.
The tiny Suni antelope is the closest relative to Impala. Black-faced Impalas in Namibia and Angola are seen as a distinct subspecies.
Their ability to adapt their eating habits is a key factor in their evolutionary success. They feed on grasses during the rainy season and switch to eating tree-material as the dry season progresses, ensuring a steady food supply that allows female impalas to give birth to a new lamb each year.
Impalas are a vital food source for large predators – including some Eagles – and have high mortality rates, particularly during the birthing season. Their sharp eyesight and alert behavior help them detect predators like Leopards and Cheetahs, prompting the herd to make warning sounds.
The best time to see the very cute Impala fawns is in December and January, when all the females give birth almost at the same time.
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 12800 | 1/500sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 40% of original image
If you might want to like to read more of my stories and see more of my pictures, you should visit my blog at https://sperka.info/blog/
After many years of using my Land Rover Defender, affectionately named The Green Mamba One, I have made the decision to sell this classic safari vehicle.
Throughout the years, some of you have accompanied me on game drives, experiencing the luxury features of this very special mode of transport. And many of you have enjoyed the countless wildlife photographs I captured from its vantage point, shared on social media.
I am hoping to find a passionate Land Rover Defender enthusiast who will appreciate and acquire her in her excellent condition. At just 22 years old, she is not considered old for a Defender.
If any of you are interested, feel free to contact me at +27633294323 (WhatsApp) or at info@sperka.com.
While bidding farewell is bittersweet, I am looking forward to her successor. My new photographic safari vehicle will be named THE GREEN MAMBA TWO, a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser LC79 4.2 D S/C currently undergoing customization to my specifications.
Thanda Management and I are looking forward to deploying her for service at Thanda Safari by mid-2024 and I will provide updates on her readiness.
Similar to The Green Mamba One, my new safari vehicle will include numerous photography and luxury features:
THE GREEN MAMBA TWO
– Specially designed five-seat, two-row passenger area with increased legroom for optimal eye-level photography and videography
– Ample additional storage space for photographic gear
– USB ports for charging equipment in each seating row
– GSM cell phone booster and WiFi router enabling live social media updates from the reserve
– Built-in digital two-way radio for secure communication during game drives
– Nespresso coffee machine for a special bush barista bar experience (supported by a second battery and a 2500W 230V inverter)
– Complete Martini bar setup
– All-red-light configuration for night safaris
– JBL audio system (for birding support and occasional bush parties)
– 13″ Apple iPad setup with essential nature apps (Roberts Birds, Stuart Mammals, …) and live GPS location map of Thanda Safari
– High-quality binoculars available for all guests onboard.
With Thanda Safari having transitioned to an All-Land-Cruiser fleet, this change was necessary to maintain the reliable service expected at a five-star operation.
I eagerly anticipate hosting many of you as guests on THE GREEN MAMBA TWO.
The short video shows The Green Mamba One as she looks now, ready for a new owner.
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 