There is something magic about the spontaneous, the unrehearsed. I think this is why I find such intrigue in the images caught by a camera trap. There is no composition, planning or manipulation. Only chance. The image is as it is and I find great beauty in that.
When Alex of Tracker Academy asked whether I would be interested in putting up the camera in a spot where his team were finding tracks of the elusive Meller’s mongoose, I was only too keen. This meant placing the camera in the North Western part of the reserve where we have only recently opened way for a road. There are large tracts of land here that we rarely traverse. What we noticed with the location of the trap and the low angle in which we positioned it, was less diurnal activity and a lot more nocturnal creatures being caught on film!
Although some of the images a little more blurred than I’d like which may lead to a little speculation, I could not contain my excitement with the diversity of species we have managed to capture in the last two weeks. A total of 15 species: Elephant, Impala, Duiker, Steenbok, Scrub Hare, Civet, Genet, White-tailed Mongoose, Meller’s Mongoose, Banded Mongoose, Hyena, Porcupine, Zebra, Leopard and possibly a Pangolin!
I hope you all enjoy the selection.
The red dot marks the spot where I set up the trap. There is a new road along this path that is not on this map but one can still see how large the pieces of land are adjacent to this area, making it more exciting to see what moves around here.
A Scrub hare sneaks past the camera!
A beautiful, spotted, nocturnal creature that we do not often get to see: a Civet.
If you look carefully in the bottom right corner there is a dark shape of which I can only guess to be a Pangolin!
A large elephant dwarfs the camera and we get a glimpse of two front legs and a swinging trunk.
The largest of the mongoose species: the solitary White-tailed Mongoose.
This Porcupine was followed by a second shortly after as they sauntered south down the road.
The low-angle of the camera trap just managed to capture a part of a zebra as it makes its early morning commute.
Another capture of a Civet. Note the striking patterns on the neck area.
A baby Banded Mongoose investigates something on the road.
The trap managed to capture this leopard cruising very quickly past.
Morning light catches an Impala as day breaks.
A Genet peers up at just the right time to capture this shot.
Could this be the Meller’s Mongoose we are looking for? The size and slightly darker shade of the tail indicates so but we are hoping for another shot in the next few weeks to confirm!
A male duiker on a morning mission.
Great timing just manages to include this hyena as it walks away.
A male Steenbok gets up close to the trap – can you see the ticks around his eye?
Which is your favourite image?
Written by: Andrea Campbell, Londolozi Landcare Assistant
Amazing images. Love the porcupine, civet and genet, as they are hardly seen in the day. Great to see the nocturnal animals.
Love them all! Please keep sharing!
How fun, Andrea! It’s like being a spy! Great job!
I have a camera trap in Africa and the pictures that are sent to me are incredible. Seeing so much that only happens at night. Thank you for sharing your pictures with us.
Hi Diane. Where is your camera trap? In which country and area and what are the main species you are capturing? I find this field very exciting.
Thanks Andrea for this selection. All the photos are great but I especially like the possible Pangolin because this animal is one of my favorites and in this image there is a touch of mystery… The camera trap is a success and I look forward to the part 3 !!!
Thanks David! I think the image is as mysterious as the animal itself.
Great photos, Andrea. I look forward to seeing more!
I love the leopard with spots blurred by motion except for one foreleg whuch didn’t move within the time frame of the photograph
Wow I bet Tracker Academy will be happy re the Meller’s Mongoose. The White tailed Mongoose is also an exciting citing. The Pangolin, I will have to believe you 🙂 but blurred or not, its nice to see all these not often seen. Thanks Andrea 🙂
Alex and his team are so pleased! I have left the camera trap in the same place for a while longer to see whether we can get a better shot of the Meller’s Mongoose and the Pangolin! Thanks for the comment Wendy!
Wow, it’s great how many different animals your camera trap managed to capture Andrea! I especially like the ones of the Civet and the Genet since I have never seen either of these animals before! I can’t wait to see what images you capture next!
Thanks Jill! I’m glad you enjoy the civet and genet images, they are two animals I get so excited seeing on evening drive.
Fantastic images. Such a variety of wildlife passing by. On our visit, we challenged you to find a Pangolin Andrea and you did it!
Hi Janice. I think you may be confusing me with Andrea Sithole, the tracker? Was your ranger Greg Pingo? If so they are an amazing team, especially if they managed to find you one of our elusive pangolins! Glad you enjoy the pics though!
Hi Andrea
I don’t think I am confusing you but don’t expect you to remember us. You were the guide for Paul and me at Savanna Private Game Reserve Sabi Sands but were about to leave for another position. Nelson Mandella died on my birthday whilst we were there. Significant day! You told us about your blog and in looking for it, I found you at Londolozi. I have been obsessed with the Londolozi website ever since and love the information, photographs and stories. Maybe we will get there one day. Your position as Landcare Assistant sounds interesting. Keep up the fascinating work.
Hi Janice. Of course I remember you. It was just before I left Savanna. Apologies for the confusion, I thought you meant you had visited Londolozi. Thank you for your comments on my blog as well. Are you planning a trip anytime soon? It would be fantastic to drive you here at Londolozi!
Am trying to save the pennies to come to Londolozi. In the meantime I will just continue to drool over the wonderful newsletter and website. Keep looking after the place and all those wonderful species. X
HI ANDREA,
GREAT SHOTS, SUCH A GOOD IDEA AS HAVE ALREADY ARTICULATED TO YOU.
WE WILL CHAT WHEN I AM THERE IN JULY, SO PLEASE MAKE A NOTE IN YOUR DIARY FOR US TO MEET. (15TH TO 26TH)
KIND REGARDS,
TED.
Thanks so much Ted, I look forward to our chat in July.
Nice pictures. Please keep sharing.