Long-time guest of Londolozi, Tony Goldman, recently submitted a host of stunning images taken on his recent visit. Here we present a selection of the best ones:
Bright colours in flowers serve mainly to attract pollinators such as sunbirds. Pictured here is a collared sunbird, whose iridescent green head and yellow underbelly are unmistakeable.
The Tutlwa female is still holding territory from the northern bank of the Sand River over to the Manyelethi. She has been seen lactating of late but there has been no sign of the litter yet.
A recent downpour of 35mm filled up some of the ephemeral pans around the reserve and topped up the permanent ones. This herd of elephants took full advantage of the extra water availability.
A spotted hyena lopes along, constantly sniffing the air for the scent of carrion and always listening for alarm barks or distress calls that may betray the position of a kill to be stolen.
One of the more colourful residents of the Lowveld, the crested barbet is able to call almost indefinitely by using one of its bronchial tubes to breathe in and out while using the other tube to vocalise.
The juxtaposition of vivid green and saffron yellow highlights the current seasonal transformation the bush is undergoing. Although I doubt the Inyathini male leopard appreciates the evocative beauty of his surroundings, I’m sure he is very aware of the changes that Spring is bringing with it.
Portrayed as harbingers of doom in many cultures, vultures still perform a vital function in the bush as waste removal technicians. Here a white-backed vulture hunches over as it anticipates the first thermals of the day.
The Burchell’s Zebra, named after the nineteenth century British explorer William Burchell, is a common inhabitant of Londolozi’s grasslands. This dazzle (the collective noun for zebras) seemed just as interested in us as we were in them.
A female nyala gives her calf a gentle nudge in the right direction. This calf was the one featured in the recent post entitled “The Nyala in my Garden”.
The Open Areas’ resident male cheetah scans the surrounding grasslands from one of his more well-used marula trees. A gentle slope and convenient low fork provide a suitable platform and easy enough climb for this cat who is in no way as adept at tree-climbing as his spotted cousin, the leopard.
Spring is here and the European bee-eaters should be arriving any day now, with the southern carmine bee-eaters following a month or two in their wake. Little bee-eaters, like the one pictured here, are resident at Londolozi all year and are a favourite subject for bird photographers.
A pastel sunset adds some much-needed colour to what was otherwise a cloudy grey day. The elephant herds have already begun to feed on the rich grasses that are emerging after the recent rains.
Another collared sunbird, from a different angle this time. The blooming of many flowers around the camp has been providing a bonanza for these birds of late.
The lilac-breasted roller subsists largely on small invertebrates such as beetles, and vertebrates as well, as this unfortunate frog discovered.
A female paradise flycatcher. These beautiful inhabitants of riparian vegetation are estimated to occur at a density of one pair every 150m in suitable habitat. the male of the species looks almost identical but has a much longer tail.
Evening light bathes a small herd of elephants as they approach a small pan.
A moment of affection between some of Africa’s most social animals.
The beak and eye colour of this red-billed oxpecker provides a wonderful contrast with the black and white tones of a Burchell’s Zebra’s coat.
An unorthodox portrait of the Piva male leopard, looking straight into the eye of the lens. He is instantly recognisable by the distinct oval of spots along the top of his head.
Photographed by Londolozi Guest, Tony Goldman
Really lovely pictures, fantastic clarity and composition! Thanks for sharing them.
If Tutlwa does have cubs again who do you guys think the father is as she mated with the Gowrie male shortly after she lost her last cubs which was around 3-4 months ago so if hes the father and the fact that he is most likely dead those cubs will be in danger unless she mated with Robsons as well cant remember if she did.
Stunning images
Tony Goldman has a career as a wildlife photographer. The images are absolutely stunning.
Stunning bird photos in particular. Well done
“Phantastic Photos ! Really among the best posted by a guest. Obviously ….a very talented photographer with a great “eye .”
Stunning pictures Tony! I particularly love the one of the Vulture, the detail of his feathers is amazing. Thank you for sharing, but we want more 🙂 please??
Well done! Stunning.
I LOVE the superb photos by Anthony Goldman, and the captions beneath are both educational and delightful. Thank you for so many gorgeous contributions, Anthony.
Spectacular images Tony…all really beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing them with us!
Anthony Goldman, I take this occasion to ask you if there will be soon a book of your birds published. Your birds are so beautiful that they are more than photos for me. They are “live”. I hope you understand what I mean.
You have already given me photos of “my” Léopards that are very important for me.
But your birds! Your skill at photographing birds is giving so much pleasure to my eyes.
Thank you!
What a beautiful collection of photographs!
Thanks very much everyone for the kind comments and hopefully more to come next year 🙂
Such stunning clarity and pics Tony. Thank you for sharing.
Great photos as always -like the zebra/redbilled oxpecker
Beautiful photos, each one.
Great photos Tony, would be most interested to know what equipment and especially what lenses you have used?!!
Stunning , all of them , The best and only way to make a good name for youre self is to shoot with youre camera , you have done that , so well . and you should be very proud to share them ,,, simply stunning ,