While browsing through some of my older images today I found this Leopard picture I took many years ago. It was never published. So here it is now.
Enjoy your weekend 🙂
Unpublished
Ignore the car!
Lions normally ignore game drive vehicles, especially when the encounter is on their terms. The Thanda dominant male was passing within touching distance of the vehicle, undisturbed by the humans within the car.
It was not necessary to tell any of the Thanda guests to sit very still and be quiet during this sighting, that was done quite naturally 🙂
What a morning!
Ready for my close-up!
One of Thanda’s largest Elephant bulls was standing still for a few seconds – for his close-up pictures 🙂 – before he moved on down the hill. This gentle giant was trailing the breeding herd which had crossed the road in front of the vehicle on the way to a nearby waterhole. What an experience for the Thanda guests!
A Leopard and his Tracks
The main job of Thanda’s expert trackers is to find and interpret the signs which animals leave when they move through the bush. Foot imprints, droppings/dung , broken branches, depressed grass and cut leaves lying around the ground are only a few of these marks. Thanda guests are always fascinated to see how our Zulu trackers are able to pick up these signs.
This collage shows one of Thanda’s beautiful Leopard males and very visible Leopard footprints. Unfortunately most of the time the tracks are not that clear and obvious 🙂
Constant argument!
Baboons have a lot of arguments. Especially the young ones are constantly busy with playful fighting.
I enjoy watching them as long as they stay out of my room 🙂
Well protected!
What a surprise when I arrived at Pakamisa Private Game Reserve this afternoon!
These little Ostrich chicks were on a walk-about with their parents when I got to take these pictures.
The Ostrich mom and dad were very alert to ensure that nothing would harm there young ones. I used a long lens and kept my distance 🙂
From Paradise to Paradise!
Sometimes people ask me why I live in the middle of the bush and why did I give up a well paid executive’s life in the city. Well, here is a large part of the answer.
When I took a break from my computer work today (yes, that is still part of my job, even in the bush), I stepped outside the building. Here is what I watched while I had lunch:
Five beautiful Kudu bulls strolled past Thanda House, just along the tree line. A group of Nyala was browsing along the fence while two Hadeda Ibises were looking for food under the fever trees in the garden. A group of Vervet Monkeys were playing on the house roof and in the trees. Impalas, Wildebeest, Zebra and Giraffes moved past my front gate towards the nearby waterhole. Three semi-resident Warthogs had their lunch and a beautiful butterfly was looking for nectar.
And all of this on a clear and sunny day! Any other reason required? 🙂
And now I am off to Pakamisa for a few days break – from Paradise to Paradise!
Thanda House – My home in the bush!
Off to the water past my gate.
Browsing and grasing for lunch.
A Kudu midday stroll …
At the waterhole.
Looking for lunch 🙂
Airborne
No words – just enjoy the images 🙂
Summer is on the way!
The last few days Thanda guests enjoyed summer temperatures, making good use of the pools at the Thanda Safari Lodge, Thanda Tented Camp and the Villa iZulu.
The Thanda Elephants did the same, enjoying a mid-day drink and bath. As always an impressive sight!
Hyenas, Horses and a Sunset
Just before I went off work for seven days I was able to participate in a Hyena capture operation (five Hyenas were to be transferred to another game reserve).
Then I spent a few days at Pakamisa enjoying a bit of riding, excellent company and superb food! It was great that Magdel and Warren from Thanda were able to join me at Pakamisa for a one night stay. This picture shows all of us leaving the stables for a morning ride.
Isabella took this group picture of me, Badger and the warthogs 🙂
I also did a “romantic drinks at sundown” photo shoot. I like the results.
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 