I worked on my image library and came across two of my favorites 🙂
I hope you enjoy them, too!
Eat in the Ear!
Well done!
Many of my blog readers identified this correctly. Yesterday’s blog picture (https://sperka.info/2016/08/04/mysterious-housing) shows a Red-billed Oxpecker looking for ticks inside a White Rhinos ear 🙂
Have a good weekend 🙂
Mysterious housing!
What bird is this and where does it disappear into? – Have a guess 🙂
Hidden!
A beautiful Leopard in a tree – hard to spot!
Youngsters
The two new Thanda Cheetah cubs are already good looking youngsters, about four month old! Their mum kept them hidden from the world for a considerable time and she is very carefully looking after them.
In the library …
Mkuze
In the over 15 years in which I have visited this National Park I have never seen it as dry. Nsumo Pan is almost dried out completely and except for the two waterholes which are filled by humans there is no water anywhere on the Mkuze Game Reserve.
Here are a few of the images I took during my visit yesterday morning at the two waterhole hides.
Curious …
Departure …
Observation …
Testosterone …
Bulk …
Colorful …
Flying study …
Sun-bathing …
Drink and Dine …
Hunting …
Getting stuck …
Mirror …
Drought … / Nsumo Pan
Water … / Khumasinga Hide
2016 Travel Journal – Days 27 to 31 – Pakamisa
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 …
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.
… and have a look at this recent Thanda Safari blog about our Hyena census project https://thandablog.com/2016/05/18/hyena-census/
50mm
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.
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 