This is one of the cutest pictures I have been taking in a long time. This small Baby Rhino was walking with its mum through high grass in the early morning hours. From all the dew on the grass it got very wet and was a bit irritated with the world … and with me 😊
Have a good Saturday.
#Thandasafari @thandasafari
#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #lockdownsafari
One of the most dangerous animals to meet on foot is a solitary male Buffalo. These so called ‘Dugaboys’ are usually in a bad mood. They are old males which are no longer with their herds, as they had been under too much pressure from younger bulls.
They usually spend their remaining days close to waterholes feeding on soft vegetation and using the waterhole’s mud to cool down and fend off parasites. As they were gregarious all their life they seem to dislike to be alone. Being constantly harassed by predators like Lions and Hyena they are ready to attack anyone that comes near them without any warning.
All of this, combined with their instinctive fear of humans, results in some of the most ‘interesting’ meetings in the wild.
Enjoy your weekend!
#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari #lockdownsafari
My favorite eagle, the Bateleur, has a French name which stands for ‘Tide Rope Walker’ or more freely translated juggler or acrobat (German: Gaukler / Zulu: iNgqungqulu). Due to its very short tail it got a very distinct way of flying which probably led to this rather unusual name.
It is the most colorful of the eagles in Africa. At Thanda we are at the Southern end of its distribution range and we are lucky to see them regularly on the reserve.
I realize that I have neglected my bird posts a bit over the last few weeks, but I will try to do better in the future 😊.
Have a good day!
#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #lockdownsafari #bateleur
After a very pleasant afternoon game drive I was on the way home as the sun was about to set. On the road, which leads to the Thanda Safari Lodge, this beautiful scene presented itself: Perfectly lit Giraffes in front of the Lebombo Mountains!
Enjoy your evening.
#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari #lockdownsafari
Now available for delivery world-wide!
Recently I had quite a few questions regarding my Thanda Cats coffee table book. Besides being available for purchase at Thanda Safari’s curio shops I can also send it to you wherever you are in the world.
Click here to have a look at some sample spreads from the large, 108 page, high quality, soft cover, 30x30cm, 12×12″ book. Also for price/shipping information and/or to order the book:
https://sperka.info/thandacats/
It is all about Thanda Safari’s Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs.
PS: I took the title page picture, the ‘Bird Watching Lioness’, in April 2013.
Spotted Hyenas often look like they are laughing. But fierce competition within their species and pressure from Lions provide very few reasons for laughter. I love to watch these incredible creatures, the leaders of nature’s clean up crew 😊
Have a good Wednesday!
Thandasafari @thandasafari #Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #lockdownsafari
I love the high-pitched sound Cheetahs produce when they are calling one another. This is a short video of a male coalition calling for a female nearby. We were parked right next to them and I was able to get this footage with my iPhone.
I hope you will enjoy your evening!
#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari #lockdownsafari
Walking through wet grass left one of Thanda Safari’s male Lion’s mane looking much darker than it really is.
But whatever the color, he is a handsome animal and he knows it 😊
Enjoy the day!
#Thandasafari @thandasafari #Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #lockdownsafari #lion #lions
The evening’s game drive was all about Rhinos, Black and White. A little White Rhino was suckling as the patient mum stood very still for quite a long time. As we came around a corner in the road a Black Rhino listened very carefully before running off. And on the way home I could just stop the car in time, not to injure this beautiful African Rock Python as it crossed the road.
Have a good night!
#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari #lockdownsafari
This morning I had the perfect sighting to explain the members of the ‘bush cleanup crew’.
This important team is lead by Spotted Hyena and includes White-backed Vultures, Hooded Vultures, Black-Backes Jackals, Woolly-necked Storks and Pied Crows. I found all of them together in one sighting on the Thanda Safari savanna.
The Hyena was feeding on an Impala carcass and all the others tried to get bits and pieces as the Hyena dragged the animal remains around.
All of the creatures play a major role in keeping the bush tidy and clean.
#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari
