THE MORNING POST – THE ULTIMATE CAMOUFLAGE

The markings of a Leopard are one of the most incredible designs of nature. The rosette design of the coats of these elusive cats allow them to ‘disappear’ within meters/yards of the observer.

I have seen Leopards walk of a road into a thicket and just vanish. Only once they move (even as little as an ear or the tip of the tail) I was often able to locate them again. And believe me, they are masters in ‘holding still’ and being patient. Many times they were just gone, as a magician from a stage!

Enjoy your weekend 😊

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

THE EVENING POST – VULTURE ARGUMENTS

I have not often heard vultures to be that vocal. There was not much left of this Kudu kill and there were docents of vultures around competing for the food. Listen to their chattering and hissing sounds.

Enjoy your evening 😊

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

THE MORNING POST – TOO CUTE

In the Zulu language the words for ‘too’ and ‘very’ must be interchangeable as most of my Zulu friends often mix them up when they speak English. They would say a meal is ‘too’ nice when they mean ‘very’ nice and a flower is ‘too’ beautiful rather than ‘very’ beautiful.

But looking at this image both terms would be quite appropriate, as this little Egyptian Gosling is just *too cute *😊.

I took these pictures yesterday evening at Thanda Safari.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

THE EVENING POST – CLOSE TO POWER

Late this afternoon I passed a small waterhole just as this old Cape Buffalo Bull turned around and came a bit closer to give me a good look. I had my iPhone on eye level with this impressive creature to get this special perspective shot 😊

PS: Please do not try this yourself unless you know how to interpret the buffalo’s moods.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

THE MORNING POST – MESSY DRINKER

Giraffes wiggle their head when they finished drinking and usually spurt water around. Yesterday evening this male did a beautiful demonstration of how it is done 😊

Enjoy your day!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

THE EVENING POST – AT SUNSET

I spent some time with our two Cheetah boys on the savanna. They were looking at some nearby Zebras but we had very high winds today and the two just stayed in one spot for most of the time.

Just as the sun was setting they started stalking some Wildebeest, but it was obvious that they were not serious.

Have a good evening 😊

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

THE MORNING POST – HORNS

Horns of antelopes, goats, cattle … are normally made of keratin with a life bone core. But there are exceptions. Rhino ‘horns’ are made of keratin only and are structured like compressed hair.

Giraffe ‘horns’ are actually called ossicones and are part of the skull (bone) covered with furred skins. And deer antlers are not true horns either as they are dead bone without any covering.

So not all that looks like a horn is a horn, but you do not want to get in contact with any of them 😊

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

THE EVENING POST – LEFT-OVERS BREAKFAST

This Black-backed Jackal enjoyed his left-overs breakfast of an Impala kill. Our arrival had conveniently spooked a Hyena and all the Vultures who were feasting on the antelope remains. So this little one moved right in and got his fair share 😊

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

THE MORNING POST – STALKING AND RUNNING

Together with his coalition partner this Cheetah male was stalking Wildebeests. I was too far away with the wrong lenses ☹️ to get any usable images of the subsequent chase.

But all of us were very surprised when the two Cheetahs came running over the ridge the other way a few seconds later, being pursued by two agitated Zebras. The Cheetahs ran flat out into a nearby thicket and did not reappear for a long time. It was one of these situation when the predators better get out of the way of prey if they know what is good for them 😊

PS: Adult Zebras are too large to be prey for Cheetah but Zebra foals are very much on the menu list. Result: Angry Zebras

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

THE EVENING POST – STAR

One of my favorite Thanda Safari Leopard images. What a stare ! It felt intimidating even if I knew I was safe in the vehicle 😊

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari