I wish all my friends around the world a HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014
Picture: The THANDA Elephant herd on the mountains in the western part of the reserve.
Hope!
To see two White Rhinos mating is a very rare sighting for any safari guest – and also for a guide 🙂
Thanda guests were able to observe this pair of White Rhinos mating when the sun set on the day and on this year. Considering all the bad news about the number of Rhinos killed in 2013 this scene promises some good news of a future birth for this threatened species. With a gestation period of 16 month it will be 2015 when the new calf will be born at Thanda.
… chatting up – Rhino style …
… mounting – a difficult procedure …
… a lengthy process and a heavy burden …
… getting off – finally!
Timo, Philip, Quinten – the small things and a rainy day!
Timo, Philip, Quinten – three young Thanda guests – had already seen Lions, Elephants, Rhinos, Buffalo, Giraffes and many other mammals on their first few game drives.
So, on this rainy summers day they set out with their parents, tracker and myself to find some other exciting Wildlife. And they had a great drive watching a Praying Mantis which jumped onto the vehicle …
… studying a Scorpion close up and …
… learn about many more “bush secrets”.
They enjoyed this “rainy weather & small things” drive as much as all the “big game” drives and will return to home and to their friends with many very special bush stories.
Rhinos in the Snow?
When one looks at this images one could think that these two White Rhinos are walking in the snow!
So I thought this makes for a nice Winter holiday images for all my friends on the northern hemisphere.
But, in reality the white stuff on the ground is ash from a bush fire. The Rhino mum and her calf enjoy rubbing their square lips in the ash – this makes them truly White Rhinos 🙂
Enjoy your Christmas/New Year holidays!
Not bothered!
This was my favorite Leopard sighting since I started working at Thanda 18 month ago!
In the early morning hours we spotted this beautiful male Leopard lounging in a tree. He was quite relaxed, mustered us for a while, had a short nap, yawned a few times and then slowly disappeared into the bush.
The reason why all the Thanda guests on my vehicle, Bheki – my tracker – and I liked this sighting so much was because this magnificent cat was not bothered by our presence and did not react to us and our vehicle, even if he was clearly aware of us. Observing animals without interfering with their behavior – my favorite kind of sighting!
Looking for breakfast!
This small Elephant did not mind the rain. He was moving between all his elders and ended up with mum – demanding his morning meal.
The Thanda guests enjoyed their early morning game drive – despite the summer rain!
Too wet to ride :-(
I had a great time at Pakamisa (www.pakamisa.com)!
I enjoyed the birding course with Prof. Ian MacDonald, learning a lot about the birds in Kwazulu Natal and – despite the very rainy weather – I got some good bird shots. Staying at this beautiful place in the Zululand hills, enjoying the excellent cuisine and the five star service is a treat. And, as always on Pakamisa, I had the opportunity to take some good horse images.
I was only a bit disappointed that the weather did not allow for my first horse ride. Pakamisa acquired recently a horse which is strong enough to carry a portly gentleman as myself :-).
Well, I hope to be back at Pakamisa soon and I hope the weather will be good enough for my first horse ride 🙂
Picture above: Scarlet-chested Sunbird feeding in the Pakamisa lodge garden.
Pakamisa’s stables.
Two of Pakamisa’s Arabians. Baracka (a mare) on the left and her full brother Jamaal.
“My horse” at Pakamisa. This beautiful crossbred between a Thoroughbred and a Shire named Badger is strong enough for me to ride. I am looking forward to my first ride!
A Ostrich portrait taken in the rain at Pakamisa.
Baby Ostriches grow very fast. The seven youngsters are only three month old, but already almost as tall as their parents.
I (on the left) learned a lot about birds during the course with Prof. Ian MacDonald (on the right).
A Pakamisa bird party. These Weavers and Quelea enjoyed the leftovers from the Ostrich feeding.
A Golden-breasted Bunting chick calling to be fed!
Keeping up with mum
In this picture the little White Rhino is running along mum towards a waterhole. Mum was a bit agitated, but it had nothing to do with the game drive vehicle in the area. A young bull was giving her some unwanted attention and she got out-of-the-way quickly (with her tail rolled up).
Just too hot!- and gone for a while ….
Our dominant male Lion gave me “the look” when he was rolling over in a shady spot on a very hot and humid afternoon.
Have a good weekend!
PS: I will be off Thanda for a few days and my blog messages may be less frequent than usually. I am looking forward to participating in a birding course at Pakamisa, one of my favorite places in Kwazulu Natal, and then I will just go where the fancy takes me – that might not be the correct English expression – but you know what I mean 🙂 I will be back working on Thanda on 18 December.
ISIBINDI – Rhino Parade
The Thanda wildlife team joined Wildlands Conservation Trust representatives at the unveiling of the latest “Rhino Parade Art” at Durban’s King Shaka International Airport.
Read more at ISIBINDI – Rhino Parade.
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 