LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXXI

When no change is good news!

In the last few weeks we have seen wildlife behaving very differently around cities. Kangaroos in the streets of towns, bears strolling down main streets and large wild cats prowling trough people’s back yards.

Quite a few people have asked me if the animals’ behavior on Thanda Safari has changed since the national-wide Covid-19 lock down began. Before 24 March our wildlife often encountered multiple game viewing vehicles in one day. Especially Lion, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo were the most viewed species.

From my observation during my daily drives over the last month there has been no change at all. And that is excellent news.

It means that the game drive operations of our guides and trackers have always focused on minimum disturbance of the animals during drive. Even the general game, which are usually ‘flight species’ (Giraffes, Zebras, Warthogs, Impalas, …) show no difference in behavior.

Thanda Safari is an ecosystem where animals come first!

PS: This is a short slide show to enjoy this ecosystem!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

STAY-AT-HOME BIRD WEDNESDAY

The feathers of the Green Wood Hoopoe, as of many other birds, are iridescent. This means that the colors change dependent on the angle of the viewer.

Have a good bird Wednesday, stay home and stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXXI

Vincent and I went on a very wet safari this afternoon. After it had rained all night and most of the day we took a short drive. We saw some general game, some Buffalo and a White Rhino.

I used my iPhone and my binoculars to get a close up shot. Considering the rain, the bad light and the distance the shots turned out remarkably well 😊

Have a good evening, stay home and stay safe

PS: We are very happy about the rain – more than 30mm last night!

… as taken through the binoculars
… and cropped to a square picture!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

STAY-AT-HOME TUESDAY

For a bit of a laugh 😊

Stay home and stay safe.

#Thandasafari @thandasafari #christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography

LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXX

Today I did a little experiment and left my cameras at home. Equipped with two iPhones (Xs Max and 7+), a pair of Swarovski binoculars and an adapter to attach a phone to the binos I went onto evening safari.

And here are some of the pictures which proof that a smart phone safari can be very rewarding. If you want to know more about this you can watch my video on the topic: https://youtu.be/eLeKTRP615g

Getting close 😊
2x magnification lens
Trough Swarovski 8×42 Binoculars
1x magnification lens
3.5x zoom (crop)
2 x magnification lens
Me and my iPhone Xs Max
1x magnification lens
1 x magnification lens

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

STAY-AT-HOME MONDAY

The picture for this morning is of a Nile Monitor enjoying the evening sun. They are also called African Small-Grain Lizard or Water Leguaan.

Have a good week, stay home and stay safe!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXVIII

As promised in this morning’s post here is a short video of yesterday’s close encounter with one of our Elephant herds.

You know you are close enough when the Ellie’s walk in your shadow 😊

Stay home and stay safe!

My YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/christiansperkaphotography

Wildlife4Kids http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales

http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery

http://www.sperka.biz

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

STAY-AT-HOME SATURDAY

Being close to Elephants is very special. I know that for many people it is terrifying. That is the reason why I make sure to keep a ‘comfort distance’ when driving with guests on safari.

But I personally do not mind to be close to these gentle giants as long as it is on their terms. Yesterday evening I was watching a breeding herd of Elephants from quite a distance when they decided to change direction and walk straight towards my vehicle. I set up my iPhone to take some video and I kept shooting with my cameras.

This picture is a closeup (taken with a 70mm lens) of an Elephant bull’s skin as he was passing in touching distance. It was exhilarating and calming at the same time to have these huge creators so very close.

I am planning to post some of the video footage this evening, but I thought you might enjoy this special picture!

Stay home and stay safe.

My YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/christiansperkaphotography

Wildlife4Kids

http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales

http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery

http://www.sperka.biz

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

LOCK DOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI XXVII

I live in a magical place. These are four images I took today today:

5:48 (am) at Thanda House just before I left in the morning

6:22 (am) in the western part of the reserve as the sun started burning away the morning mist

17:09 (5:09pm) am Elephant walking west just as the sun was setting

17:57 (5:57pm) after the sun had set three Giraffe bulls were fighting on the savanna as I was on my way home

Have a good weekend, stay home and stay safe!

My YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/christiansperkaphotography

Wildlife4Kids http://www.wildlife4kids.com

Thanda Tales

http://www.thandatales.co.za

My Online Gallery

http://www.sperka.biz

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari