Tag: CHRISTIAN SPERKA PHOTOGRAPHY

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Cute and camouflaged!

Two days ago, just after sunset, I sat for a while with two little Cheetah cubs as they were waiting for their mum to come back from a hunt.

These small cats instinctively knew not to follow their mother based on her body language but to stay behind and wait for her return.

Camouflaged in bush colors, they blended into their surroundings perfectly, and I had to concentrate not to lose sight of them.

Some people argue that their grey/white/black back fur coloration is a special sort of defense. When viewed from the top, they look very similar to a Honey Badger, one of the most ferocious creatures on earth. A large raptor, like a Martial Eagle, would love a Cheetah cub as prey but would think twice before attacking a Honey Badger. Evolution at work or just a coincidence, who knows!

I left the two little creatures just as their mum returned, and when I started to lose sight of them in the dark.

Have a good Sunday and a great week!

Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 25600 | 1/250sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Cropped to 50% of the original image

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/

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 25600 | 1/90sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 50% of original image
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 25600 | 1/125sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 10% of original image
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 8000 | 1/500sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 10% of original image
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 12800 | 1/250sec | f6.3 | ev+0 | 220mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 50% of original image
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The only one …

Nowadays, most scientists acknowledge forty species of wild cats.

Five of these are considered large cats (members of the genus _Panthera_): Lion, Tiger, Jaguar, Leopard, and Snow Leopard.

The two species of Clouded Leopards (found in South-east Asia) are often considered the bridge between large and small cats. However, most of the time, they are acknowledged as large cats.

All other 33 species of wild cats are considered small cats (sub-family _Felinae_). This includes Cheetahs (Genus _Acinonyx_) and Cougars (Genus _Puma_).

Looking just at body size and weight, these two species could certainly be considered large cats, but scientifically they are not.

But one thing is for sure. The only cats built for speed rather than power are Cheetahs.

With their special body design (slim body, long legs, rudder-like tail, and semi-retracted ‘spike-like’ claws) they are the fastest land mammals on earth.

I enjoy the frequent sightings of these day-active cats on Thanda Safari. I took this picture of one of our females a week ago. I love the orange eyes!

Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f4.0/500mm | ISO 400 | 1/500sec | f4 | ev+0.5 | 500mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 10% of the original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

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Two weeks!

The last two weeks in Thanda Safari pictures. I hope you enjoy them!

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

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Very special …

I love taking pictures of all fauna and flora, but there is something very special about an interesting cat portrait.

I love the picture of this young male Lion that I took earlier this week.

I hope you like it too.

Have a great weekend!

Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 4000 | 1/750 sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 35% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

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Twinspots

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I do not often post bird pictures on this channel (as I have a separate birding quiz channel), but I thought these two pictures merit a post.

I captured the images of these Pink-throated Twinspots (top: male / bottom: female) as we were in the middle of a Lion sighting!

The little birds are named Twinspots because every single feather – with the white spots – has exactly two of them .

For birding enthusiasts observing these small seed-eaters is a very special treat and my guests were surprised that I was even more excited about them than about the four young Lions.

Technical data (top): Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 2000 | 1/2000sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode

Technical data (bottom): Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 400 | 1/500sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode

If you are interested in my birding quiz just send me a message and I will add you to the quiz WhatsApp broadcasting list!

#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/

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Little time!

I had very little time last week for wildlife posts. But this is a slide show with thirty pictures I took during the week on Thanda.

Have a great week!

#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/

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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

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This is a slideshow with some of my favorite pictures taken last week (Saint Lucia, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Pakamisa Private Game Reserve, and Thanda Safari).

Have a great week!

#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/

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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

Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 2500 | 1/2000sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 25% of original image
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 125 | 1/500sec | f6.3 | ev-1 | 240mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 30% of original image

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Alone!

Yesterday morning, I got up early to watch the sun rise over the Indian Ocean. For the first hour, I was alone as far as I could see along the sandy shores of Saint Lucia’s Jabula Beach, except for some birds.

It was very enjoyable listening to the waves and watching the birds.

I am currently on one of my ‘Christian Sperka Photography Custom Luxury Tours’ with two guests from Germany. We started in Umhlanga, spent three nights in Saint Lucia, and are now enjoying four nights at Pakamisa Private Game Reserve. Next Monday, we will move on to Thanda Safari for another four nights. After a good-bye dinner at Bel Punto in Umdloti , they will depart for home. The two of them are having a great time, with a lot of activities and plenty time to relax.

(Top) Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 8000 | 1/500sec | ev+1 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 30% of original image

(Left) Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 500 | 1/500sec | f6.3 | ev+0 | 150mm | WB AWB | AV Mode | Crop to 25% of original image

(Middle) Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 1600 | 1/500sec | ev+1 | WB AWB | AV Mode | Crop to 25% of original image

(Right) Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 100 | 1/1500sec | f5.6 | ev+0 | 240mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 70% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

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