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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXXXII

Two Elephant bulls arrived while I was out to watch birds coming to the waterhole for their morning drinks. The DSLR with the long lens got a rest and I recorded this video with my iPhone.

Enjoy the show, stay home and stay safe!

Wildlife4Kids http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery http://www.sperka.biz

My YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/christiansperkaphotography

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXVIII

As promised in this morning’s post here is a short video of yesterday’s close encounter with one of our Elephant herds.

You know you are close enough when the Ellie’s walk in your shadow 😊

Stay home and stay safe!

My YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/christiansperkaphotography

Wildlife4Kids http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales

http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery

http://www.sperka.biz

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME SATURDAY

Being close to Elephants is very special. I know that for many people it is terrifying. That is the reason why I make sure to keep a ‘comfort distance’ when driving with guests on safari.

But I personally do not mind to be close to these gentle giants as long as it is on their terms. Yesterday evening I was watching a breeding herd of Elephants from quite a distance when they decided to change direction and walk straight towards my vehicle. I set up my iPhone to take some video and I kept shooting with my cameras.

This picture is a closeup (taken with a 70mm lens) of an Elephant bull’s skin as he was passing in touching distance. It was exhilarating and calming at the same time to have these huge creators so very close.

I am planning to post some of the video footage this evening, but I thought you might enjoy this special picture!

Stay home and stay safe.

My YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/christiansperkaphotography

Wildlife4Kids

http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales

http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery

http://www.sperka.biz

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXVII

I live in a magical place. These are four images I took today today:

5:48 (am) at Thanda House just before I left in the morning

6:22 (am) in the western part of the reserve as the sun started burning away the morning mist

17:09 (5:09pm) am Elephant walking west just as the sun was setting

17:57 (5:57pm) after the sun had set three Giraffe bulls were fighting on the savanna as I was on my way home

Have a good weekend, stay home and stay safe!

My YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/christiansperkaphotography

Wildlife4Kids http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales

http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery

http://www.sperka.biz

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME THURSDAY

Elephants are most impressive. A fully grown adult male will weight around 6,000kg (13,000lbs). The largest recorded specimen (in Angola 1956) was about 11,000kg (24,000lbs).

But for me the most impressive side is their intelligence. Whenever I meet them on Safari their behavior in such encounters sets them apart from all other mammals (with the exception of Primates). They are far less predictable than any other species and therefore have to be treated with a lot of respect and caution.

I met this beautiful specimen a few years ago in Namibia. And I will probably not surprise you when I tell you that I respectfully withdrew from his path 😊

Enjoy your day, stay home and stay safe!

PS: Check out my lock-down site for kiddies – with a new animal pictures every day! http://www.wildlife4kids.com

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XV

On day 15 of our lock-down I was able to participate in a very special operation. One of our Elephants was limping badly and our Wildlife department together with our veterinarian decided that we had to remove whatever caused the problem.

Once the Elephant bull was darted from a helicopter a large sharp piece of wood was removed from the his food and he was treated with antibiotics to fend of any possible infection.

It was a very quick operation to ensure the well-being of one of our priority species animals.

Good night, stay home and stay safe 😊

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME SUNDAY

Having fun after a mud bath!

Fun fact: Young elephant calves sometimes suck their trunks to help them relaxing when they are not feeding.

Many of us have to stay home in this worldwide crisis. So I thought you might enjoy to receive a wildlife image every day of the week until things are back to normal.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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MAMMAL FRIDAY – ELEPHANT BABY

This little Elephant enjoyed its mud bath at the Thanda Tented Camp waterhole 😊 Have a good weekend!

PS: The picture was taken with an iPhone XS Max and a set of Nikon Monarch Binoculars.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari