An interesting Lion sighting! Thanda’s North Pride having a late evening drink at a small waterhole, only illuminated by the spotlight reflection.
Reflection
Stalking!
If the vehicle you are on is used by a male Lion as cover in his stealthy approach to a herd of buffalo, you can be sure you are in for an interesting time.
This beautiful creature was slowly following a herd of buffalo. He approached from the back of my vehicle (first image) and then stopped absolutely still beside me (second image) before he followed his prey carefully into the bush in front of my car.
It was too dark to follow up further, nevertheless it was exciting to be in the middle of a drama, where only one of the actors knew what was happening.
A note for the photographers among you: These pictures were taken at very low-light conditions (Picture 1: ISO 6400, f/2.8, 1/90s, hand-held, 300mm / Picture 2: ISO 6400. f/2.8, 1/45s, hand-held, 115mm, -0.50eV)
Bush Breakfast – with a special guest!
I enjoyed today’s bush breakfast at Pakamisa. Mon Ami, one of Pakamisa’s horses, paid us a visit at the table 🙂 – Picture by Isabella Stepski
Have a look at Pakamisa’s blog about this breakfast – with some of my pictures 🙂 – http://pakamisablog.com/2015/04/05/easter-bush-breakfast/
Happy Easter!
Frohe Ostern Feliz Pascua Joyeuses Pâques Vrolijk Pasen Buona Pasqua Felix Pascha God påske Wesołych Świąt Happy Easter Glad Påsk Maligayang Pasko ng Pagkabuhay hyvää pääsiäistä 复活节快乐 復活節快樂 부활절 축복 받으세요 สุขสันต์วันอีสเตอร์ イースター、 おめでとう Phasika elithokozayo Geseënde Paasfees
From me and my 2015 South African Easter Bunny 🙂
It is actually a Scrub Hare 🙂
My Great-Uncle would have been proud!
In the 1950s and 1960s my great-uncle, Werner Knecht, was a well known food photographer in Switzerland. He would have been proud to know that three of my food images were published in a South African magazine called “Urban Life’n Style”.
Have a look at this article about Pakamisa’s Head Chef Thandeka Nxumalo and her recipes at http://issuu.com/urbanlifenstyle/docs/april_2015/68.
Pakamisa is a private game reserve in KwaZulu Natal focusing on horseback safaris. It features a five star lodge with stunning vistas and an excellent cuisine.
Wake up!
This little Lion just woke up from his midday nap and had a bit of a stretch before it started annoying its mother, who was not yet ready to go. I love the look in her eyes: “Ready to go!”
PS: Sorry for blogging so little over the last few weeks, but I was very busy with some local projects on Thanda and had very little time for anything else.
Dancing Elephant ?!
Not really 🙂 This young Thanda Elephant bull was changing direction rather quickly as he was chasing some Cape Buffalo. One of my favorite Elephant shots ever! The Thanda guests enjoyed the very active scene. Elephants chasing Buffalo and Buffalo chasing Elephants.
Flying Venom Video
This is a short YouTube video about a recent snake release. This Mozambique Spitting Cobra mistook the lens of my GoPro for an eye and spat directly onto it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD7R_weiP8I
Youngsters!
These three Wildebeest youngster were playing hard, but as soon as I got close enough to take pictures they just posed for the camera!
More about Blue Wildebeest:
The gestation period is about eight and a half months and between 80 and 90% of the calves are born within a three-week time period. Female wildebeest give birth in the middle of a herd rather than alone, and typically in the middle of the day. This allows time for the newborn to become steady on its feet before night falls and the predators become more active. Calves weigh about 19 kg (42 lb) at birth, and can usually stand on their own within a few minutes of birth. To escape predation, calves remain close to their mothers for a significant time, and may continue suckling until the next year’s calf is nearly due.
And the answer is …
Dried Mozambique Spitting Cobra Venom!
Congratulations to everyone who got the correct answer and thanks for all the other “inventive” guesses.
When I release captured snakes I usually place them in front of my GoPro to record the event. This small Cobra mistook the camera lens for an eye and targeted its venom accordingly (The picture shows her in “mid-spit”). Full marks for hitting the target 🙂 This was an excellent demonstration why it is very important to always wear protective goggles when dealing with a Spitting Cobra or any “unidentified” snake. Better safe than sorry.
These snakes are generally nervous and highly strung. When confronted at close quarters they spread their long narrow hoods and will readily “spit” in defense. By doing this the venom can be ejected at a distance of 2–3 metres (6½-10 feet), with remarkable accuracy. When in a confined area like a tube these reptiles might bite instead of spit.
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 