Today we changed the radio collar on our Cheetah mum so that the Wildlife Team can continue to monitor her progress – I was allowed to be hands – on for a moment – Thanks to Warren for taking the picture 🙂
And this is a collage of the operation – before – during – after
Lions normally ignore game drive vehicles, especially when the encounter is on their terms. The Thanda dominant male was passing within touching distance of the vehicle, undisturbed by the humans within the car.
It was not necessary to tell any of the Thanda guests to sit very still and be quiet during this sighting, that was done quite naturally 🙂
What a morning!
One of Thanda’s largest Elephant bulls was standing still for a few seconds – for his close-up pictures 🙂 – before he moved on down the hill. This gentle giant was trailing the breeding herd which had crossed the road in front of the vehicle on the way to a nearby waterhole. What an experience for the Thanda guests!
The main job of Thanda’s expert trackers is to find and interpret the signs which animals leave when they move through the bush. Foot imprints, droppings/dung , broken branches, depressed grass and cut leaves lying around the ground are only a few of these marks. Thanda guests are always fascinated to see how our Zulu trackers are able to pick up these signs.
This collage shows one of Thanda’s beautiful Leopard males and very visible Leopard footprints. Unfortunately most of the time the tracks are not that clear and obvious 🙂
Sometimes people ask me why I live in the middle of the bush and why did I give up a well paid executive’s life in the city. Well, here is a large part of the answer.
When I took a break from my computer work today (yes, that is still part of my job, even in the bush), I stepped outside the building. Here is what I watched while I had lunch:
Five beautiful Kudu bulls strolled past Thanda House, just along the tree line. A group of Nyala was browsing along the fence while two Hadeda Ibises were looking for food under the fever trees in the garden. A group of Vervet Monkeys were playing on the house roof and in the trees. Impalas, Wildebeest, Zebra and Giraffes moved past my front gate towards the nearby waterhole. Three semi-resident Warthogs had their lunch and a beautiful butterfly was looking for nectar.
And all of this on a clear and sunny day! Any other reason required? 🙂
And now I am off to Pakamisa for a few days break – from Paradise to Paradise!
Thanda House – My home in the bush!
Off to the water past my gate.
Browsing and grasing for lunch.
A Kudu midday stroll …
At the waterhole.
Looking for lunch 🙂
No words – just enjoy the images 🙂
The last few days Thanda guests enjoyed summer temperatures, making good use of the pools at the Thanda Safari Lodge, Thanda Tented Camp and the Villa iZulu.
The Thanda Elephants did the same, enjoying a mid-day drink and bath. As always an impressive sight!
I was sitting for eleven minutes at Thanda’s South Gate entrance and watched the little bird bath opposite the sitting area. Eleven bird species came down to drink 🙂
Birding fast and furious!
PS: Quite a few people have heard about my car accident last night – I am perfectly OK – If you want to read the complete story go to http://wp.me/P1rzfb-1js
Sometimes an image is just right!
I titled this one: Give me patience …
It is one of my favourite 2014 images.
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 