Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are very special. Not just because they are beautiful and very fast, but because they are the only cat species built for speed.
In taxonomy (the branch of science concerned with the classification of organisms) they are the only living member of the genus Acinonyx, which sets them apart from the other 40 cat species on earth. With their long legs, semi-retracted claws, excellent vision, and a specially designed steering tail they are designed for short speed runs to kill their prey.
This picture is of one of Thanda Safari’s Cheetah youngsters. I took this portrait a week ago. The black lines running down from the eyes to the mouth on both sides of the nose are the best way of identifying a cat portrait as that of a Cheetah. No other cats shows these tear-lines.
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 2500 | 1/750sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 20% of original image
This collage illustrates why animal tracking is such a very specialised skill. The bottom pictures of this collage shows a Lion track on the side of the road (Toes on the right, foot pad on the left).
Unless one has experience and the aptitude for reading tracks one would never interpret this faint print on the ground as that of a Lion. I am not very good at this, but my tracker Bheki Ngubane can spot these tracks from a moving vehicle!
The picture on top shows the corresponding underside of the back foot of a Lioness. The track shown in the bottom picture was created by her walking just before she lay down to rest.
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 6400 | 1/60sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 50% of original image
… means ‘the quiet one’ in isiZulu. This is a very apt name for one of our oldest and largest Elephant bulls.
If you look carefully at this pictures you can see him dribbling urine from his penial shief (between his back legs). This means that he is in musth (heightened sexual activity period) and dribbles liquid all day.
But unlike most younger bulls this over six ton old gentleman remain quite gentle. When I encountered him last night at dusk he moved quietly swaggering past my vehicles while stopping from time to time to nibble on some trees and grasses.
PS: He is partially wet in this picture as he had just mudded himself at a small waterhole.
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 3200 | 1/750sec | f6.3 | ev+0 | 100mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 10% of original image
One of the main traits of a Hyena is its incredible adaptability. Hyenas are highly versatile creatures and have evolved to thrive in various habitats, including grasslands, savannas, mountains, and even deserts.
Their ability to adapt to different environments enables them to find food sources and survive in a wide range of conditions.
We had a great early morning encounter of a clan of 8 Spotted Hyenas finishing off a carcass in the vicinity of a herd of grazing Cape Buffalo.
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 1600 | 1/750sec | f6.7 | ev+0 | 200mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 25% of original image
The sound of a Lion roaring is quite unique. I took this picture and recorded this short video clip last night around sunset within an hour to document this incredible experience.
But the recording cannot convey the feeling as one’s whole body reacts, being only a few meter away from the source of this impressive roar.
The sound can be heard from over 8 kilometers (5 miles) away and can reach over 110dB (in one meter/yard distance).
Technical data picture: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 1600 | 1/180sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 90% of original image
Technical data: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max – Main camera 24mm | f1.78 | 30 FPS | Red filtered spotlight | ev-1
This little Elephant took a nose dive, or better trunk dive, in front of its mum. The small creature was sparring with another calf when it suddenly decided to catch up with mum, in the hurry stumbling over its own feet. The large female gently used her trunk to get her offspring back up.
Elephant calfs are very playful and often overestimate their capabilities, getting themselves into trouble. Elephant adults are some of the best parents on earth and are usually able to help their youngsters.
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 320 | 1/500sec | f5.6 | ev+0 | 120mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 10% of original image
A young Lion portrait is the first wildlife picture I took in 2024.
Four of the boisterous youngsters where with their mum near a waterhole as she was scanning the area for some dinner.
The look on the face of this small male is already the look of a serious cat. Cubs of those age (about 8 months) are still very playful, but with their sharp claws and teeth they can already create serious damage.
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 4000 | 1/500sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 25% of original image
I took a few days off over Christmas and New Year to visit my family and friends in Germany.
This is a short travel journal with a few iPhone pictures and descriptions of a few of the excellent meals I enjoyed during my visit.
I am back on Thanda Safari as of tomorrow to resume my regular wildlife posts.
22 Dec
I arrived in Zürich, Switzerland, and took a train ride to a town called Frick from where my brother picked me up for the short car ride to my parents place. It was good to see the family again and I had a very restful evening.
23 Dec
A quiet day with a bit of last minute Christmas shopping and ‘the almost’ traditional dinner with my brothers (and this year with my oldest nephew) in the Fuchshöhle (= Fox Hole). This is one of my favorite restaurants in the town of Bad Säckingen (Picture: The catholic church on the town square).
My dinner: Pumpkin creme soup, roasted duck with red cabbage and spätzle, and a superb lime-buttermilk-ice-cream.
24 Dec
I was decorating our Christmas tree and the whole family came together on the evening for a meal and the exchange of Christmas gifts. I got a lot of sweets and chocolate. They must know me!
25 Dec
No white Christmas for me this year. It was rather warm and rainy on Christmas day. Another quiet family occasion (Picture: The view from my parents’ place in Germany looking towards Switzerland).
26 Dec
I went for a very enjoyable walk with some family members around a small lake near the town where I grew up. It was a beautiful sunny day. I needed the exercise after an excellent Chinese lunch and before an Indian dinner. (Pictures: At the Bergsee (=Hill lake)
27 Dec
I had invited all my family (including boyfriends and girlfriend of the younger generation) to a very good Italian lunch. In the afternoon my older nephew, his girlfriend, and I visited the Vitra design exhibition and museum in Weil, Germany. Vitra is a manufacturer of very high end furniture, especially chairs. Worth a visit! (Pictures: The exhibition and me testing one of the comfy chairs)
My lunch: Beef carpaccio, mushroom and onion pizza with salad, and some Italian ice cream
28 Dec
Another rainy day. I worked a bit on my photography of my old model train set pieces for sale on Ebay. In the evening I had a very enjoyable dinner with old friends.
Another walk around the Bergsee. This time it was raining a bit and I got these rather moody pictures. And today was a very special day. It was my parents’ 64th wedding anniversary. We celebrated with a special lunch prepared by my younger brother for this occasion. (Picture: The roses my dad gave to my mum to mark the occasion). And another special dinner with friends from Switzerland in the Fuchshöhle.
30 Dec
My last family dinner for this trip in Germany. This time at an excellent Italian restaurant by the name of Schützengarten (=shooter’s garden). The picture of the day is of a bronze art column in front of the restaurant depicting the city’s history.
My dinner: Beef carpaccio, veal steak with a leek risotto, and panna cotta
31 Dec
A last day with my parents and I left close to mid-night on a flight from Zürich to Johannesburg. I welcomed the New Year 10,000 meters (30,000″) above the ground.
I have returned to Thanda Safari after spending one night in Pretoria. Now I am ready to resume working on wildlife photography.
Thanks to all of you for following my posts throughout 2023. This is my last post for this year. I am going to take off until early January to visit my parents, brothers, nieces and nephews in Germany. I will be back with more pictures and stories from the African Wild in 2024.
I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year 2024!
Schöne Ferien!
Vielen Dank an alle, die meine Posts im Jahr 2023 verfolgt haben. Dies ist mein letzter Beitrag für dieses Jahr. Bis Ende Januar werde ich meine Eltern, Brüder, Nichten und Neffen in Deutschland besuchen. Anfang Januar 2024 gibt’s dann wieder Bilder und Geschichten aus der afrikanischen Wildnis.
Ich wünsche Euch allen frohe Weihnachten und ein glückliches neues Jahr 2024!
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 