Tag: south africa

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI 53

A Cheepard!

Well, there is no such animal, but
I think this would be a good term for a Cheetah which behave more like a Leopard. One of Thanda Safari’s male Cheetahs is very shy and elusive, likes the thick bush and has no problem to disappear for days on end. Even with telemetry (all Thanda’s Cheetahs are part of a conservation program and wear radio collars) this specimen is behaving like Houdini.

But this morning, with the help of Thanda Safari’s wildlife coordinator Mariana Venter, I was able to take some good pictures of this beautiful cat. On the same game drive we saw another Cheetah female, a Black Rhino, a Black-headed Heron and a magnificent Kudu bull in the morning mist.

What a drive!

Enjoy your weekend and stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME FRIDAY

Humans go jogging to keep fit but animals only move fast if they if they really have to.

What do you think is the reason for those two large male Lions to jogg for the good part of a kilometer (half a mile)?

I can tell you that it has nothing to do with keeping fit. It was all about getting close to the two males on the neighboring property who were having their morning roar. Eventually they stopped jogging and started roaring in return.

But that will be another short video coming soon 😊 Stay tuned and stay safe!

PS: All of this was recorded with an iPhone XS Max!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari #iphonesafari #smartphonesafari

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI 52

At this evening game drive I focused mainly on Giraffes.

I really enjoy these awkwardly designed but rather slow thinking creatures with their huge eyes.

Have a good evening – Stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME THURSDAY

Three days ago I asked if you can name the Small Five. So here are the answers: Antlion, Leopard Tortoise, Elephant Shrew, Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, and Rhino Beatle.

And I got one more question: who are the Ugly Five 😊? (… and no, they do not include me!)

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS 51

I usually get up around 4:30am but today Lion roars coming from directly in front of my room woke me up half an hour early. I quickly got ready and went out with the Green Mamba (my safari vehicle) to find the sources of the sounds. After a few minutes I caught up with our two dominant males who were in a roaring match with the neighbor’s cats.

For the next four hours I kept trailing them on their morning territorial walk. I will put together video footage and pictures from this magical morning and post it soon. For today I have combined one of my favorite pictures taken around 5:15am under a starry sky while they performed a roaring duet next to my car.

I recommend you close your eyes for half a minute and enjoy the amazing sound!

Stay safe.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME WEDNESDAY

Sorry, today’s picture is a bit late: Lions having a nigh time drink!

Stay safe.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI NO.50

Cheetah Care!

One of Thanda Safari’s male Cheetah injured his leg a few weeks ago. Since then he and his coalition partner are in a boma (enclosed area with full room service!) to allow the leg to heal. On the weekend the Thanda wildlife team and the attending veterinarian Dr.Trevor Viljoen with his team took additional X-rays and discussed continued treatment. The uninjured Cheetah was watching the proceedings with interest and with a few snarls.

When these two males arrived at Thanda in June 2018, the wildlife team kept them together in a boma for quite a while where they bonded successfully into a coalition. They were then released onto the reserve and have stayed together since then. Individuals in such Cheetah coalitions have a much greater chance of surviving the pressures of other large predators.

Have a good evening and stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME TUESDAY

There are the Big Five and then the Small Five. Leopard Tortoises are my favorite of the Small Five. Can you name the other four?

🐆 🐢 😊 …

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXXXIX

We had a short and very quiet drive this afternoon. The evening sky after the sun had set was most beautiful and on my way home I passed Giraffes posing in front of the darkening sky.

When the evenings get chilly and the skies turn such deep orange then it is clear that winter is coming!

Have a good night and stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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STAY-AT-HOME MONDAY

Have you ever seen a Zebra photobombing?! 😊

Have a good week, stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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