Topic: A true JOURNEY of Giraffe at Thanda Safari. Journey is the group noun for a group of Giraffe
Technical data: Canon R6 MII with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 640 | 1/500sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode
Picture of the Day!
Picture of the Day!
Topic: Summer sunset with Giraffe!
Technical data: Canon R6 MII with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 100 | 1/500sec | f6.3 | ev+1 | 240mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
Picture of the Day!
Topic: Giraffe and Oxpeckers
Technical data: Canon R6 MII with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 10000 | 1/500sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
Picture of the Day!
Topic: Giraffe in the Moonlight
Technical data: Canon R6 MII with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 51200 | 1/8sec | f4.5 | ev+0 | 50mm | WB AUTO | AV Mode | Hand-held
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
iPhone & Eye-Level – Giraffe
This afternoon, I returned to Thanda House driving along the reserve fence. This large Giraffe bull did not want to step out of my way as he was ‘air-sparring’ with another bull on the neighboring game reserve. Normally, bulls stand next to one another as they spar or fight by hitting one another, swinging their massive heads.
As these two could not get together, they were swinging at the air! (short video below) I took this eye-level shot as I passed him while he stepped back towards the fence.
[Taken from my Suzuki Jimny with an Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max using the 24mm main camera at Thanda Safari]
#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/
Wrong way!
This was the moment when these South African Giraffes realized that they were going the wrong way.
As these three tall mammals appeared around the corner, one of Thanda Safari’s Lionesses (part of a large pride), who was snoozing in the sun, started chasing the Giraffes.
Even though she was not a real threat to the three large ruminants, their instinct made them turn and run immediately as this encounter was too close for comfort.
Unless one of Giraffes trips and falls during the chase, a small group of Lions will rarely attempt an adult Giraffe kill. A kick from one of their strong legs can break a Lion’s jaw and condemn it to death.
At Thanda, Lions on occasion target Giraffes calves. Such kills provide a lot of meat to the predators.
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 200 | 1/500sec | f6.7 | ev+0 | 130mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 30% of original image
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
Mammals and Birds!
There are far more ectotherms (cold-blooded animals) than endotherms (warm-blooded animals) on Earth.
With the exception of mammals and birds, most life forms rely on their surroundings and behavior to regulate their internal temperature, a process known as thermoregulation.
Fish, reptiles, and amphibians, with very few exceptions, are considered ectotherms. In this picture, you can see two of my favorite endotherms: a South African Giraffe and a Secretary Bird.
Have a great week!
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 100 | 1/500 sec | f6.3 | EV +0 | 240mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Image cropped to 15% of the original size.
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
OSSICONES
… are skin-covered bone structures on the heads of Giraffes and male Okapi. They are distinguished from the similar structures of horns and antlers by a permanent covering of skin and fur.
Similar to animals with horns or antlers, male giraffes use their ossicones as weapons during combat, using their heads as clubs.
In early development, they are not bony and are not fused to skull. Ossicones usually fuse to the skull at sexual maturity.
Females and young Giraffes (male and female) have hair on top of their ossicones while adult males are bald.
Technical Data: Canon R6 with RF lens f/11, 800mm | ISO 1600 | 1/500 sec | EV +/-0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 45% of original image
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
Necks too short?
Two days ago, I spent the late afternoon at one of my favorite Thanda Safari water holes.
And just as the sun started to set, four giraffes arrived to have an evening drink.
When most mammals want to have a drink, they simply lower their heads to the water. Their necks are long enough and their legs are short enough to make this a very simple process.
Not so for adult giraffes. They either have to spread their front legs extra wide or do a funny half-kneel to reach the water to drink.
So the giraffes either have legs that are too long or necks that are too short!
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 2000 | 1/2000sec | f6.3 | ev+0 | 220mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 60% of the original image.
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
… and few extra pictures from the same ‘photo shoot’:
Osteophagia …
… is the term for a Giraffe behavior which seems rather odd.
Often, these largest land mammals are seen chewing bone material. The reason is to augment any calcium and/or phosphorus deficiency in their bodies. The material is manipulated in and out of the mouth using the tongue while being sucked and chewed.
I took this short video of a Thanda Safari Giraffe looking rather funny, which put me in a good mood for the weekend. I hope you enjoy yours!
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | 4K Video | Hand-held
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 