lily – Christian Sperka Photography

2023-10-15

Bloody magnificent!

No, I was not trying to swear when writing this. I was just describing the Blood Lily (or Fireball Lily, or Powderpuff Lilly, or Mnduze in isiZulu, scientific name: Scadoxus multiflorus), a beautiful red and yellow flower which can occasionally be seen on Thanda Safari.

Yesterday morning I came across this magnificent specimen along a mountainous road. The species likes moist, shady habitats. Most wild flowers in the South African wilderness are quite small, so seeing this large lily is a special treat.

Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 1000 | 1/500sec | f5.6 | ev+0 | 100mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 80% of original image

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

2013-11-01

The Small Things!

It is not all about the Big Five. A game drive on Thanda is much more than just looking at the “famous grand creatures” of the bush.

Enjoying the presentation of a Scorpion by Bheki, one of the experienced Thanda trackers, spotting a male Southern Tree Agama in its “ready for mating” coloration or viewing a African Blood Lily growing in a burned area after the first rains of the season are just some of the special sightings of “Small Things” which make every day in the African bush very special.