I have selected fourteen images which are now hanging in two of the suites at Thanda’s Villa iZulu. These are some of my favorite images and I have prepared them in sepia to match the existing old-fashioned frames. Over the next few days I would like to share these images with you.
Here is number nine: White Rhino Cow
PS: If you stay at Thanda’s Villa iZulu in the suites number 2 or 3 you can view them in the original print.
Support the fight for the survival of these magnificent creatures!
To see two White Rhinos mating is a very rare sighting for any safari guest – and also for a guide 🙂
Thanda guests were able to observe this pair of White Rhinos mating when the sun set on the day and on this year. Considering all the bad news about the number of Rhinos killed in 2013 this scene promises some good news of a future birth for this threatened species. With a gestation period of 16 month it will be 2015 when the new calf will be born at Thanda.
… chatting up – Rhino style …
… mounting – a difficult procedure …
… a lengthy process and a heavy burden …
… getting off – finally!
In this picture the little White Rhino is running along mum towards a waterhole. Mum was a bit agitated, but it had nothing to do with the game drive vehicle in the area. A young bull was giving her some unwanted attention and she got out-of-the-way quickly (with her tail rolled up).
Today is Wold Rhino Day – This is a chance to raise awareness and support for these prehistoric creatures. Over 600 rhinos have been killed this year in South Africa alone, that is more than 2 each day!
The Thanda Foundation is a founding member of Project Rhino Kwazulu Natal, an organization dedicated to the fight for Rhino survival.
Please show your support by sharing this message and/or by actively supporting Project Rhino (http://www.projectrhinokzn.org). Thank you!
Picture by Christian Sperka – Specialist Photography Guide and Resident Wildlife Photographer – Thanda Private Game Reserve
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.
This small male White Rhino calf put us in our place!
He came right up to the vehicle (which was standing below his level) and showed us his “big” horn, jumped up and down and snorted a bit. When we did not react he retreated quickly back to mum. She was undisturbed by his “manly behavior”.
They were grazing in a beautiful area surrounded by trees. A fabulous sighting for my guests.
Sorry for not blogging for a few days. I was very busy guiding and teaching photography. Now I am off work for seven days 🙂
So, I thought I share a few recent and very Thanda special sightings with you.
We spotted a small Serval on the fence to our base camp. This was my first Serval sighting at Thanda …
… our dominant male Lion got quite a fright when he almost stepped on this Puff Adder in the dark. The snake gave him a warning hiss and continued on its path …
.. and another first for me was a Secretary Bird hunting on our savanna …
… and last but not least two of my favorite Rhino images from the last two weeks. A Rhino illuminated with red light walking at moonlight and …
… a Rhino having a mud bath – pure bliss!
When we were looking for Rhinos in the South of Thanda Private Game Reserve we came across some very rare guests.
A few Woodland Kingfisher were displaying to one another in the Fever Trees along the Mduna River.
A little later found a female White Rhinoceros and her calf and ended the game drive with gin&tonics – enjoying a beautiful summer evening in the bush!
I have promised to post some pictures of Thanda after the recent rains.
These three pictures of Giraffes on the savanna, a White Rhino on a grassy hill top and an Elephant bull in between Fever trees show Thanda animals in their “new juicy” environment.
Have a good weekend!
PS: If you are wondering why most of the Giraffe stare in the same direction. They were watching two Cheetah males lying under a tree :-).
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 