Tag: wildlife

Posted on

2016 Travel Journal – Days 27 to 31 – Pakamisa

Me and Thanda - This young horse is named 'Love' the same as my home game reserve ...
Thanda and me – This young horse is named ‘Love’ in isiZulu the same as my home – Thanda Safari – Private Game Reserve.

I spent at few days – including my birthday – at one of my favorite places – Pakamisa Private Game Reserve – http://www.pakamisa.com.

Pakamisa, as most of KwaZulu Natal, is still suffering under the very dry weather conditions. There has not been any substantial rain for a long time and this winter (dry season) will continue to be very difficult for “man and beast”. It is not the lack of water but the lack of food which is the major threat to grazing species during a drought. Pakamisa is now supplementing food to help its grazer population to survive the winter.

These are a few pictures I took during this relaxing stay. I have a few more days to myself before I will be back to work at Thanda Safari!

Pakamisa in the early morning …
Too dry …
On the way to the stables …
The Pakamisa team training young horses …
Prinz – Pakamisa’s stallion – longing for the ladies …
Baraka and Prinz …
Thanda and me – This young horse is named ‘Love’ in isiZulu …
Room with a view – Wildebeest in front of my room …
The Pakamisa anti-poaching team patrolling …
A proud male …
The of cantering …
Gwala Gwala …
Purple-crested Turaco …
Takoff and Landing …
Mother and daughter …
Mother and son …

 

Posted on

Clean-Up

The cleanup-crew was busy in front of my home (Thanda House) when I left in the early morning hours (6:06am). These three Spotted Hyena were cleaning up a nearby Lion kill.

20160501 - CS3_8356 - E
… and have a look at this recent Thanda Safari blog about our Hyena census project https://thandablog.com/2016/05/18/hyena-census/

Posted on

50mm

20160503 - CS3_9601 - C - 00

It has been years since I have used a ‘short fixed focus length lens’. Last week, when cleaning my equipment, I picked up my Canon EF f1.4/50mm lens and decided to put in my camera case to give it a try at low light.

And two days ago such a scenario presented itself.

After the sun had set I took this image of our north pride Lions sleeping off a good meal. With very shallow depth of field it creates a special artsy atmosphere. I like it and I think I will use this ‘short beauty’ more often.

Posted on

On Bheki’s hands …

What is the little creature on my tracker Bheki’s hand. Not the fly, the other one?

What does it eat and how does it hunt?

Let’s see who gets it right!

20150810 - CS3_9785 - E - 00

Posted on

LONG LIVE THE KING – Africa Geographic Magazine

AGM 88

Nine of my Lion images got published in the recent issue of Africa Geographic Magazine. The pictures accompany an article by ecologist and science journalist Cheryl Lyn Dybas titled the LONG LIVE THE KING – LAST ROAR OF AFRICA’S LIONS.

As a partner photographer for Panthera, the only organization in the world devoted exclusively to the conservation of the world’s 38 wild cat species, I had been asked to contribute to this story about the plight of Lions in West and Central Africa. And I was very happy to do so!

An interesting and important – but very sobering – article!

http://magazine.africageographic.com/weekly/issue-88/long-live-the-king/ 

#africageo #pantheracats #panthera #christiansperka

 

 

Posted on

Bird of the Day – African Fish Eagle

The sound of Africa: African Fish Eagle – This picture was taken at iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu Natal (St.Lucia Estuary).

To view more of my African Fish Eagle images go to http://www.sperka.biz/sgb9

20070713 - GK4I0319 - E - 07
The African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa wherever large bodies of open water occur that have an abundant food supply. It is the national bird of Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Sudan.

This species resembles the North American Bald Eagle in appearance.

The African Fish Eagle is a large bird, and the female, at 3.2-3.6 kg (7-8 lbs) is larger than the male, at 2-2.5 kg (4.4-5.5 lbs). The adult is very distinctive in appearance with a mostly brown body with a white head like the Bald Eagle and large, powerful, black wings. The plumage of the juvenile is brown in colour, and the eyes are paler compared to the adult. The feet have rough soles and are equipped with powerful talons in order to enable the eagle to grasp slippery aquatic prey.

Coat_of_arms_of_Zimbabwe.svg Coat_of_arms_of_Zambia.svg  Coat_of_arms_of_South_Sudan.svg

Blog at WordPress.com.