The first heat has hit! The knobthorns are flowering and the first Wahlberg’s eagles have been sighted, a sure sign that winter is coming to an end. Although I am excited to once again be driving through verdant green hillsides and have all the migrant bird species back, I can’t say I won’t miss winter. The chill of the early mornings and the mist hanging low in the valleys are two of my favourite things about the bush.
It’s not over yet though, and there is still a nip in the air in the mornings. The wildlife continues to impress, so while we await the first rains in a month or two, enjoy this Week in Pictures…
The male cheetah surveys his domain. Will he and the female mate again and have more cubs? We are hopeful, as both have been spending time in similar areas.
An elephant bull snatches a quick drink as he crosses the Sand River to rejoin his herd.
This hooded vulture had landed to investigate the scene of a Sparta Pride kill. Finding nothing left, he didn’t mind when one of the Majingilane moved in and forced him into the air again.
The second youngest hyena at the newest den site gets bullied by some of the older cubs while its mother lies nonchalantly by.
Getting a nasty nip one too many times, it sought solace next to her.
An amazing little frog. Unfortunately its eyes are slightly out of focus, owing to the shallow depth of field I had on the Macro lens
The Makhotini male was found in the deep south recently. He hasn’t been seen for awhile in these parts, and reports from the south of the reserve, as well as a big cut on his lip and nose, tell of a territorial confrontation with another big male leopard not so long ago.
Although it might seem insensitive, this little elephant calf provided us with great amusement when it mock charged us on the banks of the Maxabene River, displaying as much bravado as it could muster, but when it descended onto the sand to follow its mother, it tripped immediately and fell headfirst. Here it flails about while trying to get back to its feet
The Tutlwa female stands over the Gowrie male. She has been mating with him recently, deep in the territory of the Nanga female.
The Nanga female and one of her cubs. Our worst fears could be realised, as we believe one of the cubs may have been killed by the Tutlwa female.
Cheetah, vantage point, sunset. A winning photographic combination.
He looks west towards the Drakensberg and the setting sun, probably looking to settle down for the night.
The rains will be here in a month or two, and mud-baths will be the order of the day instead of dustbaths for the elephants.
The Marthly male winds his lonely way through his territory. How long can he hold out against the continuous pressure from the Gowrie male?
These are from a few months ago, as you can probably tell from the green grass, but I was looking at them today and wondering how long it will be before we see the Tamboti female giving birth again? Here she lies with her recently independent youngster in the foreground.
Same setting, different focus. The cub looks back (notice the swollen tick above her eye) while the mother snoozes.
Photographed by James Tyrrell
Beautiful pics. Sad to hear about the Nanga cub. Awesome PIC of the Marthly male
I’m so hoping the Nanga cub was not killed. How will the Nanga and Tutlwa co-exist in the same territory?
Great shots as always,love the hyena cubs and the cheetah at sunset-Anyone seen the Mashaba female James?
Hi Tony,
She’s alive and well! We saw her this morning to the west of camp with a full belly 🙂
James
Thanks,James that is great news.
Beautiful shots— the colors of the sunset with cheetah are gorgeous. I had not really thought infanticide by female leopards was a possibility. WOW! In last couple of years, a number of leopard cubs have reached independence successfully. It has been absolutely wonderful to see, but maybe is putting more territorial pressure on all of the female leopards. Hope Tutlwa and Nanga females can work out territorial differences without doing battle and the remaining Nanga cub survives this difficult time.
Wonderful, wonderful pictures again, James. I’m returning to Founders in 2 weeks and am beyond excited! I’m looking forward to getting some photography tips, and hoping to see Camp Pan and the Makhotini male for the 5th year running!
Fantastic photographs James! The Cheetah at sunset is stunning and my favourite, but they are all really wonderful. I’m so sorry to hear about the Nanga cub.
Wonderful pictures James, especially the Cheetah & poor little ellie looking rather embarrassed being caught literally “with his pants down”. Hope you have good news of the Nanga cub next post.
HI JAMES, GREAT PICTURES AND I AM PLEASED TO HEAR THAT THE MASHABA FEMALE HAS BEEN SEEN AGAIN! I HAVE NOT MADE MUCH OF A CONTRIBUTION TO THE BLOG IN RECENT MONTHS AS I HAVE BEEN TRAVELLING FAIRLY EXTENSIVELY, BUT I AM STILL READING ALL THE NEWS! KEEP IT COMING AND I WILL SEE YOU ALL AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
KIND REGARDS,
TED.