giraffe – Page 10 – Christian Sperka Photography

2014-03-03

Smooth and Rough – Female and Male!

I recently took these images of a female and a male Giraffe on Thanda. Without looking at the rest of the animals it is quite clear which one is the male and which is the female.

Smooth lines and hairs on top of the ossicones (the horn-like extensions of the skull) define the female head. A rough outline with many calluses from fighting other males and being bold on top of the ossicones shows a distinctly male head.

So, when looking trough binoculars and seeing only the head of a Giraffe sticking out from the trees, it is quite easy to tell what gender animal it is!

2013-10-26

Strange Encounter!

At the small waterhole in front of Thanda’s Villa iZulu a Spotted Hyena and a journey of Southern Giraffe met and interacted for almost an hour. This image shows Bheki in between the actors in this early morning drama.

… The Hyena had come to the waterhole when the Giraffe interrupted its morning drink…

… It moved off when the tallest land mammals came in to have their drink …

… But not far – at one time the carnivore ventured almost to “kicking distance” …

… We left after watching this scene for almost an hour – On the way back to Thanda’s Safari Lodge we ran into an Elephant road block. The matriarch was having an eye on us while we followed the herd slowly until they made their way through the bush to another waterhole. What a morning!

2013-10-15

Pole Position

From time to time Bheki gives up his tracker seat on the front of our game viewer to one of the Thanda guests.

It is a very special experience seeing the animals from a tracker’s perspective and trying to find tracks along the road.

In this picture a guest from France enjoyed observing a Giraffe male from his “pole position” 🙂

2013-08-04

Winter Rain!

This afternoon we had some winter rain. Despite the unusual wet weather for this season the Thanda guests enjoyed great game drives with Elephant bulls, a herd of Buffalo and this young Giraffe (in Zebra company).

2013-07-302013-07-30

Pakamisa

On Saturday and Sunday I was invited to a game reserve near Pongola named Pakamisa. This very special place specializes in exploring the African bush on horseback (for more information go to www.pakamisa.co.za).

I enjoy taking pictures of these beautiful horses in action. The really good news for me is that they recently got a new horse, which will be able to take my weight. I am looking forward to my first time on a horse 🙂

2013-07-25

Ithala

Today I have spent my first day at Ithala Game Reserve in the North of Kwazulu Natal. Ithala is a beautiful mountainous reserve with many interesting tracks. I will spend three days of my off-time here.

Next to regular roads Ithala has some interesting 4×4 trails. Some of them are rather rocky and very challenging (Inclines for first gear low with center and back diff set). My Toyota Fortuner mastered the steepest one very well.

This image was taken after the ascent from top of the mountain …

… Once back in the plains I took this image of a male Giraffe at sunset …

… and just after sunset I encountered this male Ostrich along the road.

I also saw White Rhino, Zebra, Wildebeest, Kudu and many different bird species.

A good first day!

2013-05-12

Sky over Thanda

On today’s Thanda Game Drive we encountered this Giraffe on a hill top under a beautiful sky.

Have a good week!

2013-04-02

Symbols of Africa!

For me these are two true symbols for the African bush: Giraffe and Fever Tree! The Thanda guests on my vehicle enjoyed this beautiful scene in the morning sun.

The Fever Tree (Acacia xanthophloea) is a species of Acacia native to eastern and southern Africa. The trees grow to a height of 15–25 m. The characteristic bark is smooth, powdery and greenish-yellow in color It is one of the few trees where photosynthesis takes place in the bark. Fever trees are fast-growing and short-lived.

2013-02-17

Magic Moment!

After a game drive with excellent Giraffe, Lion, Rhino and Hyena sightings we made our way back to the Lodge when the sun had set and the moon was providing the illumination.

This picture is by no means perfect. It is a freehand shot with very little light. But it represents the magic moment experienced by the Thanda guests – seeing a Giraffe moving soundless under the moon.

The Magic of Africa!

PS: For the photographers among you: f/5.6 – 1.6sec – ISO 1600 – 35mm – no support

2013-02-12

Shade with a View!

This male Giraffe was looking for a shady spot in the middle of the day. A Marula Tree on top of one of Thanda’s hill was just the right place. And with a view, too 🙂