south africa – Page 156 – Christian Sperka Photography

2013-09-17

Fight for Rhinos

Africa has lost more than 100,000 Rhinos in the past 45 years – Over 2,000 Rhinos have been killed by poachers in South Africa since 2008 – Over 600 this year alone.

The Thanda Foundation is a founding member of Project Rhino Kwazulu Natal, an organization dedicated to the fight for Rhino survival.

Show your support during this official Rhino Week by sharing this message and/or by actively supporting Project Rhino (http://www.projectrhinokzn.org). Thank you!

Today’s Rhino Image: A crash of Square-lipped Rhinoceros (White Rhino) is crossing a road on Thanda.

2013-09-15

She loves birds!

The face of Lions change completely if they are looking up at the sky and follow birds.

One of the Thanda guests on my vehicle suggested that this Lioness must really love birds – I am sure she does 🙂

2013-09-14

Water and Mud!

Watch Thanda’s herd of Elephants having a bath at Mgankla Dam. The Thanda guests enjoyed observing these gentle giants playing with Water and Mud!

2013-09-12

Let’s have a drink together!

We are very grateful at Thanda for last summer’s heavy rain falls, which have ensured that our main waterholes still have water for our animals at the end of this winter (dry season).

Thanda guests enjoyed watching our two largest Elephant bulls having a drink together at one of largest dams. Last year at the same time this “bar” would have been closed already for the rest of the winter 🙂

2013-09-09

BIRDS – Brown-hooded Kingfisher

One of the Thanda guests was very surprised when this Brown-hooded Kingfisher did not fly off when we approach but kept sitting on its branch almost to “touching-distance”.

These small birds are usually not to tolerant to vehicle approaches, but this specimen did not care. Thanks for the great photo opportunity :-).

2013-09-06

Experience and Youth!

When this Lion mum was watching a few approaching Zebras she was “frozen” whenever the Zebras looked in her direction. Her daughter imitated mum and was very still as well. Her brother on the other hand was moving around behind them and alarmed the Zebras. Boys will be boys – No dinner this time!

The Thanda guests on my vehicle enjoyed this display of experience and youth!

2013-09-05

A Big Five Sighting :-)

One of the youngest Thanda guests provided a “Big Five Sighting” at yesterday’s drink stop at sun down. The guests enjoyed their drinks watching the beautiful Thanda scenery in the presence of Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo 🙂

On the way back to the lodge we spotted a real Leopard. Having the fluffy “Big Five” on board brought us luck!

2013-09-03

Ivory!

Protect them! … no further comment …

2013-09-02

Evening Drinks!

This afternoon we followed a few of Thanda’s White Rhino on there way to a waterhole. The guest on my vehicles enjoyed watching these large creatures “filling up” before they went back to grassing on the savanna. This was a perfect ending for a game drive that started with rutting Impalas and a pride of Lions at another waterhole.

2013-09-01

BIRDS – Green-winged Pytilia

Another BIRD series image: A Green-winged Pytilia (Melba Finch). This picture was taken at Thanda Private Game Reserve on 15 August 2013.