It is always exciting coming back from leave. I always find myself thinking about what has been happening in this beautiful paradise we call home. I, like all the guides at Londolozi, definitely develop relationships and strong bonds with the animals here. It is a feeling I cannot describe but is definitely felt by all who work here or visit Londolozi and this past week has been no different. There is still no sign of rain and I have been amazed at how dry the bush has become over the past two weeks. The beautiful contrasting green colouration of summer is fast fading away as the bush starts to dry out. This winter could prove to be tough on the animals and it will be very interesting to sit back and observe how they all react and cope. Take a look at this Week in Pictures…
A hyena cub eagerly awaits its mom’s return
Leaving space for the animal to look into can create a much more interesting composition and context for the image. The Nanga female.
The detailed reflections of the eye provide a glimpse into what the crocodile may be seeing.
The beautiful bright colouration of the highly venomous boomslang.
The ever graceful Nanga female.
Using light as a single factor can often create dramatic contrast on your image.
The confident Piva Male who has recently taken over the South-Eastern section of Londolozi
The rarest animal at Londolozi – the single female ostrich!
Hide and Seek
Eye-level with an elephant
A Mhangeni male at attention as he listens to the distant alarm calls of a kudu
A young crocodile waiting on an easy meal at the Causeway
The Ximpalapala young female
A male cheetah scans his surroundings for a potential prey.
Evening Alarm: A Swainsons Spurfowl at dusk
The Styx males are becoming frequent visitors to Londolozi, vocalising and advertising their presence.
A Mhangeni young male – his coat beautifully contrasted against the dark blue sky.
Written and Photographed by: Trevor Ryan McCall-Peat
Stunning pics this week Trevor. Love the Mhangeni males.
BEAUTIFUL photos yet again Trevor – LOVE the detail in the close-ups. You are really blessed to live in that environment – thanks for sharing some of your special moments caught on camera.
Great to see the Styx males continue to secure territory for themselves
Trevor, the lighting in your photos is amazing. Love the lions and crocs, but it was really wonderful to see the Nanga and Ximpalapala females.
oops, really should have said Ximpalapala young female!
I agree with Marinda! Fantastic pictures this week. Each week is good, but these are great.
Interesting that the Styx Males are vocalizing! Any other updates on their escapades?
Great shots of Mhangeni male. I’m guessing he’s almost two years old? What’s the Mhangeni pride up to?
Could someone post a map of Londolozi and surrounding territories with higlighted regions for the various prides? Seems like there has been some movement recently. Has Mhangeni pride been around much?
Great pictures! What technique did you use to get the buffalo alone in the light?
The Nanga female is gorgeous.
Beautiful photos. For the ones with dark backgrounds, do you use available light, a flash, or a flashlight to compose the photo? They aren’t Photoshopped, are they?
Trever, your photography is exceptional.
Trevor, sorry for the incorrect spelling!
Loved the Styx male! Some lions have the most interesting manes..
The young hyena is also adorable. love the lighting on the buff.
The trees in the eye of the croc are awesome..
All of them are wonderful! Thank you for sharing
Absolutely stunning! Love the Piva Male picture. Counting down the days until my October visit!
Loved the buffalo. It is not my favorite animal, but such stunning composition. I would never tire of looking at that image.
All beautiful Trevor, but my favourite is the Swainsons Spurfowl at Dusk. Thanks for these they are stunning. Have a great weekend
Any chance of bringing in some other ostriches to keep the solitary one company? Or do they get eaten?
Great photos Trevor. The best set I’ve seen here yet!!!
Well done
Wow thank you everybody for your comments and kind words they are much appreciated. Where do i start there are many questions here and over the next short while i will do my best to get back to every one of them.
Sean – The Styx males have spent quite a bit of time in the south eastern section of Londolozi over the past couple of months. It is not official that they have taken over the area but with vocalising and scent marking it is a good start. They cross to Mala Mala often and will keep you posted over the next few weeks and months.
The mhangeni pride spend a large portion of there time in Singita and we are privileged to see them on a fairly regular basis. They cross onto Londolozi from time to time and when they do its usually only as far as the western sections of the property.
They are a force to be reckoned with as there are still 4 adult lionesses and 9 youngster around the age of two years. This winter will be an interesting time as the youngsters are growing so are there appetites.
Amy and Ed as far as the dark background photos go, I do work on them but there are a few key components. I try and over expose the image using natural light. By doing this key areas of the subject are highlighted such as the eyes, mouth, ears and horns(depending on subject) and afterwards darkening the shadows and background to emphasis the highlighted key areas.
Stunning photos, oh how I wish I was back there……
Beautiful images Trevor! I love the two close-ups of the Piva Male and wonderful photo of the male Cheetah. Good to see the Styx males thriving and I also thought it interesting that they were vocalizing. Thanks for a great week of pictures Trevor…they’re all stunning!
Trevor the photos are absolutely amazing.Having spent four memorable days in the bush with you and Richard this week John and I realize that we were with two artists at work and we are most appreciative. Many thanks indeed.
Trevor,
Awesome shot of the buffalo! I wish i had taken that one, very nice!
Rod
Gail it was wonderful having you this past week. We had some great sightings and was great getting to know yourself and John. Keep well and we hope to see you back here SOON