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STAY-AT-HOME SUNDAY

This morning I had the perfect sighting to explain the members of the ‘bush cleanup crew’.

This important team is lead by Spotted Hyena and includes White-backed Vultures, Hooded Vultures, Black-Backes Jackals, Woolly-necked Storks and Pied Crows. I found all of them together in one sighting on the Thanda Safari savanna.

The Hyena was feeding on an Impala carcass and all the others tried to get bits and pieces as the Hyena dragged the animal remains around.

All of the creatures play a major role in keeping the bush tidy and clean.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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TOMORROW, SUNDAY: LIVE FROM THE WATERHOLE AT THE THANDA SAFARI LODGE

Tomorrow, Sunday, 25 May, I will be spending all day at the small waterhole in front of the Thanda Safari Lodge.

From time to time – when something interesting is happening at the waterhole – I will go Live on Instagram Stories at http://www.instagram.com/thandasafari and http://www.instagram.com/christiansperkaphotography.

I am looking forward to chatting with many of you then.

As soon as the Covid-19 crisis is over, all of us at Thanda are looking forward to welcoming you for your own relaxing Sunday at the waterhole!

Christian Sperka, Resident Wildlife Photographer at Thanda Safari

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STAY-AT-HOME EMOJI SATURDAY

❤️ 🇿🇦 🦒 🦒 👀 😆

… or for the emoji illiterate like me: I love South African Giraffes, they look so funny 😊😷

Stay Safe!

#christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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… and on a historical note …

On 22 May 2004, exactly 16 years ago, His Majesty King Zwelithini Goodwill kaBhekuzulu officially opened Thanda Safari Lodge.

Right now the only visitors at this most beautiful place are our animals, but we are looking forward to welcoming guests again soon, from all over the world!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI 53

A Cheepard!

Well, there is no such animal, but
I think this would be a good term for a Cheetah which behave more like a Leopard. One of Thanda Safari’s male Cheetahs is very shy and elusive, likes the thick bush and has no problem to disappear for days on end. Even with telemetry (all Thanda’s Cheetahs are part of a conservation program and wear radio collars) this specimen is behaving like Houdini.

But this morning, with the help of Thanda Safari’s wildlife coordinator Mariana Venter, I was able to take some good pictures of this beautiful cat. On the same game drive we saw another Cheetah female, a Black Rhino, a Black-headed Heron and a magnificent Kudu bull in the morning mist.

What a drive!

Enjoy your weekend and stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME FRIDAY

Humans go jogging to keep fit but animals only move fast if they if they really have to.

What do you think is the reason for those two large male Lions to jogg for the good part of a kilometer (half a mile)?

I can tell you that it has nothing to do with keeping fit. It was all about getting close to the two males on the neighboring property who were having their morning roar. Eventually they stopped jogging and started roaring in return.

But that will be another short video coming soon 😊 Stay tuned and stay safe!

PS: All of this was recorded with an iPhone XS Max!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari #iphonesafari #smartphonesafari

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI 52

At this evening game drive I focused mainly on Giraffes.

I really enjoy these awkwardly designed but rather slow thinking creatures with their huge eyes.

Have a good evening – Stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME THURSDAY

Three days ago I asked if you can name the Small Five. So here are the answers: Antlion, Leopard Tortoise, Elephant Shrew, Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, and Rhino Beatle.

And I got one more question: who are the Ugly Five 😊? (… and no, they do not include me!)

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS 51

I usually get up around 4:30am but today Lion roars coming from directly in front of my room woke me up half an hour early. I quickly got ready and went out with the Green Mamba (my safari vehicle) to find the sources of the sounds. After a few minutes I caught up with our two dominant males who were in a roaring match with the neighbor’s cats.

For the next four hours I kept trailing them on their morning territorial walk. I will put together video footage and pictures from this magical morning and post it soon. For today I have combined one of my favorite pictures taken around 5:15am under a starry sky while they performed a roaring duet next to my car.

I recommend you close your eyes for half a minute and enjoy the amazing sound!

Stay safe.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME WEDNESDAY

Sorry, today’s picture is a bit late: Lions having a nigh time drink!

Stay safe.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari