Talley Smith

The Week in Pictures # 41

by Talley Smith May 11, 2012

This week brought a new twist on the recent leopard drama. The rutting season of the impala also made sure there was plenty of full-bellied lions and leopards, as the testosterone-fueled rams spent more time chasing one another than detecting predators nearby. The vegetation is getting drier and the air clearer, making for excellent photographic [...]

The Week in Pictures # 40

by Talley Smith May 4, 2012

If you have been following the blog recently, you will know by now that this week brought very sad answers to our questions about the Sparta Pride. Despite trying to be passive observers of the wilderness, it is always an emotional event for us to learn of the demise of a creature who for years [...]

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The Week in Pictures #39

by Talley Smith April 27, 2012

This week, once again, the lions were relatively quiet and elusive around Londolozi, leaving room for incredible sightings of other top predators: leopard, hyena and even wild dog. The young Mashaba Female is growing up, and also contributing to some territorial disputes amongst the females of the south eastern section of Londolozi. The wild dogs [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 38

by Talley Smith April 20, 2012

This week, the recent lion drama subsided somewhat, leaving room for fantastic leopard viewing as well as time with the ‘smaller’ things. When the lions are vocalizing and patrolling their territory with the same intensity as they were last week, the leopards tend to make themselves scarce, as they are so vulnerable to lions. This [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 37

by Talley Smith April 13, 2012

Each week when I go over my photos to put together this post, I am blown away by the amount of incredible things we see within only seven days here. This week was no exception. Without question, the lions stole the show, with many different prides and coalitions traversing Londolozi. At one stage during the [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 36

by Talley Smith April 6, 2012

Two weeks away from the bush and so much has changed! Winter is truly upon us, with the vegetation getting drier, the nights colder, and the migratory birds heading back north. As is the case most of the time after Freddy and I have been on leave, we are very keen to see our feline [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 35

by Talley Smith March 16, 2012

This week, as opposed to the normal game drive, we spent quite a bit of time on foot. The purpose of walking in the bush is not usually to view and photograph the larger mammals so much as gaining a different perspective and focusing on the smaller, more subtle things. On one particular morning, Adam [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 34

by Talley Smith March 9, 2012

People sometimes ask us, ‘Do you ever get bored seeing the same animals all the time?’ For one thing, getting to observe the same (territorial) animals over time allows us to follow the stories of their lives, and also, in the bush you see and learn something new every day, no matter how much time [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 33

by Talley Smith March 2, 2012

What a week for photography! The sun was out and the animals were everywhere. This week saw the return of the Tsalala Pride, as well as the continued emergence of a new leopard to Londolozi, and three particularly interesting sightings which highlighted the immense amount of competition in the bush. Enjoy the Week in Pictures…

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The Week in Pictures # 32

by Talley Smith February 24, 2012

Last week we focused on the ‘little’ things, and this week the big cats are back! As I’ve mentioned before, Freddy’s and my favourite thing to do is find an animal or a group and follow them, watching their behaviour as they go about their daily lives in the bush. This is particularly interesting with [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 31

by Talley Smith February 17, 2012

As we settled back into bush life this week, we continued to enjoy tracking our feline friends, but also spent time with many of the smaller animals. Birds are abundant at this time of year, and the Marula fruits are attracting animals from elephants to insects. The rain continues to hold off, giving us hot [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 30

by Talley Smith February 10, 2012

This week brought sunshine and – for the most part – clear skies, giving the flood-ridden land a chance to dry out a bit. As we began to traverse more areas around Londolozi with decreasing risk of getting stuck in the mud, we found more and more of our old friends safe and sound. Admittedly, [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 29

by Talley Smith January 20, 2012

This week started off beautifully with some fantastic sightings of the Sparta Pride and their new cubs, a pack of Wild Dogs crossing the Sand River and an unknown Female Leopard in the North. The Majingilane Males were seen interacting with the Sparta Pride cubs which bodes well for the future considering the dynamic which [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 28

by Talley Smith January 13, 2012

Sometimes when guests ask, ‘When is the best time of the year to come to Londolozi?’, my response is that if you are a photographer, and interested in the big mammals, then winter is preferable. The dry weather provides clear skies, excellent light, and less dense vegetation to block the view. This week, however, I [...]

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The Week in Pictures #27

by Talley Smith January 6, 2012

This week was abundant with leopard sightings, as David Dampier mentioned on Wednesday. There were many familiar faces, but perhaps what was most interesting for me was seeing some leopards new to the area. We are so fortunate at Londolozi to view leopards that are very relaxed with the game drive vehicles, and because of [...]

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The Week in Pictures #26

by Talley Smith December 30, 2011

This week, through the deluge of rain over Christmas and the hot, humid and termite-filled aftermath, the bush was full of diversity. We had some great highlights including some fantastic leopard sightings, but unfortunately also some lowlights with the most recent Tsalala Pride incident. My dear friend Shaun, who was a faithful follower and supporter [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 25

by Talley Smith December 23, 2011

This week brought slightly less ‘kill’ action but more diversity amongst the species, and interesting behaviors. We are still embracing summer with all the youngsters, migratory birds, and reptiles around every corner. We saw a few familiar faces amongst the predators, and also had a few return visits from some long lost friends. Enjoy this [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 24

by Talley Smith December 16, 2011

This week was action-packed, and I suppose if there was to be a general theme, it would be the circle of life. We continued to see babies and even witnessed the birth of a wildebeest (sorry no photos as we were walking at the time!). We saw animals mating as well as birds in full [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 23

by Talley Smith December 9, 2011

Summer is now in full swing at Londolozi. As Adam mentioned on Wednesday, there are babies everywhere hiding amongst the thick green vegetation. The cascading call of the Woodlands kingfisher competes with the shrill Red-chested cuckoo’s song with the constant buzz of Christmas beetles during the day, and at night a chorus of frogs emanates [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 22

by Talley Smith November 25, 2011

This week I have been (unfortunately) out of the bush, so have put together another installment of some of the bird shots I have taken over the past six weeks. People often ask when is the ‘best time’ to come to the bush, and if you have any interest in birds, that time is definitely [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 21

by Talley Smith November 18, 2011

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any hotter, this week brought daily temperatures well into the forties. Despite having to wake up earlier in the mornings to beat the heat, this meant we got to see some unique adaptations of the animals, and of course the warmer weather brought out more flowers and we’re [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 20

by Talley Smith November 11, 2011

If you’ve ever been on a game drive with Freddy and me, you’ll know that our favourite thing to do is find an individual animal, or a group of animals, and stay with them watching their behaviour for as long as possible. The ability to do this relatively often is one of the very special things about Londolozi. In my opinion, that is what being out here is all about: you can go down a checklist of animals at a zoo just to ‘see’ them, but to actually be a part of a wild animal’s life, watching how it goes about surviving every day in its own environment, is incredibly unique to coming on a safari. This week I’ve highlighted a few leopard sightings where we did just this: stayed with the animals for almost the entire game drive, witnessing behaviours both distinctive of the individual as well as a few patterns. Enjoy this Week in Pictures…

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The Week in Pictures # 19

by Talley Smith November 4, 2011

This week, the rains really came. We had several days where there was little break in precipitation, resulting in thickening green growth, vibrant colours, a rising river and many animals refreshed by both the water and nutritious vegetation. Most evenings carried the soft lulls of thunder the whole night through, with lions roaring intermittently and the frogs competing for their calls to be heard. As David Dampier mentioned in his post this week, rain brings a challenge to photography… but we luckily had some breaks where we were able to capture a few shots. Enjoy this Week in Pictures…

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The Week in Pictures # 18

by Talley Smith October 28, 2011

This week the weather became significantly warmer, with the occasional unpredicted thunderstorm. Spring seems in the air more than ever, and I think the most appropriate theme for this week was the emergence of small things: birds, creepy crawlies as well as new arrivals. We had chicks, pups, cubs and calves, all of which of course made us very happy! Enjoy this week in pictures…

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The Week in Pictures # 17

by Talley Smith October 21, 2011

Last week I promised leopards for this week, and did they ever deliver! As the weather gets more unpredictable, the days mixed with thunderstorms and summer sunshine, the bush is getting greener and the variety of creatures big and small grows. We had a few truly memorable cat sightings and a highlight for me was discovering some very small hyenas. Enjoy this Week in Pictures…

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The Week in Pictures # 16

by Talley Smith October 14, 2011

Last week we had rain, and this week another crucial element of life in the bushveld – fire. Several controlled burns were conducted on Londolozi, which are essential to the nutrient cycle of the soil and making room for new, green growth. Fire is an important process which would naturally be created by lightning strikes. Post-fire, the burned areas brought us sightings with interesting colours as well as behaviours – the birds hunting on the exposed ground, and the herbivores feeding on the greenflush. I have purposefully left leopards out of this Week in Pictures (except for the Maxabene Young Male’s tail, below), mainly because David Dampier’s post earlier this week in Leopards of Londolozi contained such stunning images and the latest updates. More next week on leopards, but in the meantime, enjoy this Week in Pictures…

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The Week in Pictures #15

by Talley Smith October 7, 2011

Last week it became warmer, and with this week came another sign of summer… rain! Water is life, so we welcomed the storm clouds with open arms. Game viewing can be fantastic in the rain – after all, the animals are still here – and in particular, predators will sometimes use the rain to mask [...]

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The Week in Pictures # 14

by Talley Smith September 30, 2011

As mentioned in last week’s Week in Pictures, the usual suspects are back! This week we were treated to a wonderful variety of landscapes, and creatures big and small. I was also very lucky to have some visitors from my native Bermuda, who clearly brought some great bush energy! Particular mention must go to an interesting interaction between two leopards, as well as the birthday of a pachyderm. There was also no shortage of lions this week. Enjoy this Week in Pictures…

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The Week in Pictures # 13

by Talley Smith September 23, 2011

I haven’t been in the bush for the past week so what I’ve decided to do is put up a series of my best bird shots over the past six weeks. Sometimes with the excitement of the big cats, birds often get overlooked. They are, however, a major part of a Londolozi safari nonetheless. Updates on the usual suspects will continue from next, however enjoy this week in pictures…

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The Week in Pictures # 12

by Talley Smith September 16, 2011

Spring has sprung and the bush is changing. The evenings are becoming balmy, the Jackalberry trees are shedding their leaves making room for new growth, the Knobthorns are in full flower, and the migratory bird species are returning. This week we observed this metamorphosis along with the resulting adaptive behaviours of the animals, and had one particularly emotional and intense sighting which embraced the circle of life in a different way…

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Meet the Blog Team: Rich

by Talley Smith September 13, 2011

As head of the Londolozi Online Media & Marketing Department, Rich Laburn has brought our special place in the African Bushveld to the rest of the world, through setting up an informative, professional, visually appealing and user-friendly platform. But don’t let his computer skills fool you: this wildlife enthusiast is still a ranger at heart…

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The Week in Pictures # 11

by Talley Smith September 9, 2011

This week again I had the pleasure of spending time with several experienced and devoted photographers. Many had come to Londolozi in the hopes of photographing a leopard. Fortunately for us Mother Nature, as well as Freddy ‘Eagle Eyes’ Engobeni, did not disappoint. We were treated to a variety of sightings of the Maxabene Female, the Vomba Young Female, the Dudley Riverbank 5:5 Male, the Marthly Male, and the Vomba Female, to name only a few! Otherwise we took some time to enjoy the remaining winter colours and light, sharing photography tips and embracing the bushveld. Enjoy this week in pictures…

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The Week in Pictures # 10

by Talley Smith September 2, 2011

As winter comes to an end, the days are getting longer and warmer, meaning more time in the bush for photographs! This week we had fantastic sightings of some familiar faces like the Tsalala Pride and the Maxabene 3:2 Young Male, as well as being able to share quality moments with less familiar individuals. In particular it was a privilege to be able to spend more time with the Maxabene Female and the Nyeleti 4:3 Young Male…

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The Week in Pictures # 9

by Talley Smith August 26, 2011

This past week I didn’t spend as much time on traditional safari but rather driving the specialised Photographic Vehicle, which meant that we were able to stay out in the bush all day, patiently spending large amounts of time with various animals. Our guests were particularly keen birders, and therefore in addition to tracking the usual suspects like the Sparta lions and various leopards, we had the privilege of being able to sit in great birding spots to enjoy the view and hone our bird photography skills – in my mind the most difficult animals to photograph. The three days we spent on the Photographic Vehicle came to its pinnacle on the final night when we discovered a new access to the den site of the younger Tsalala cubs. We spent a few breathtaking moments as these youngsters curiously approached us… see for yourself!

guest choice to stay out

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Marthly Male Kills Baboon

by Talley Smith August 21, 2011

Last week, the Marthly 3:2 Male Leopard crossed south over the Sand River, out of his usual domain in the north, walked straight through camp, and killed an unlucky female baboon. It seem as though the Marthly Male, or Tyson as he is affectionately known, had taken it upon himself to regulate the baboon population, leaving his territory with purpose and ignoring the abundance of easier prey in camp such as bushbuck and nyala. After all, baboons are no friends of leopards: they often spot them with their unbelievable eyesight and give away their presence to potential prey with deep alarm barks…

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The Week in Pictures # 8

by Talley Smith August 19, 2011

What a different, striking week at Londolozi. As you will see from the pictures below, it was not just the usual lion and leopard sightings but also the more scenic misty mornings and winter bird life. Coupled with that was an extraordinary sighting between wild dogs and elephants. The pack gave us a fantastic few sightings before disappearing into western Sabi Sands. Also of note were the males from the Southern pride who continue to survive despite the tough conditions between male lions. With a bit of luck we will continue to see more of these good looking young males. As always, enjoy this week in pictures…

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The Week in Pictures # 7

by Talley Smith August 12, 2011

I always find it interesting to look back at what the bushveld presents to me on a weekly basis. On some occasions I will spend hours with just a single leopard, watching its movements, behaviour and delighting in the spectacle which it puts on for my guests and I. It is easy to forget about everything else until that animal melts into the bush and I have to find another to replace their presence. It seems as though the Dudley 5:5 Male was a regular feature of my weekly post, however this last week I have barely seen him. Instead my love affair with the Camp Pan Male has been rekindled as he has treated my guests and I to various spectacular sightings and interactions. I guess it is the unpredictable nature of the bush that makes guiding at Londolozi so exciting and our relationships with these animals so special. Although I have long since learnt never to be certain as to what a drive will present, I do know that it will always be special. Enjoy the pictures…

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The Plaque Rock

by Talley Smith August 7, 2011

The “Howard Mackie” plaque, seen in this picture, is in memory of Howard and the great contribution he made to the start up of Londolozi and also as a Founder Pioneer in creation of “Helicapture” – the original and first ever game capture company in South Africa. Howard became a leading expert in the capture and after care of wild animals. This poignant photograph demonstrates the timelessness and enduring renewable cycle of nature as yet another generation of the Leopards of Londolozi visit at “plaque rock” in the heart of Londolozi…

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The Week in Pictures # 6

by Talley Smith July 22, 2011

Great Tuskers are always a special sighting. Magnificent and established, these old bulls are a proud testament to strength, wisdom and peace in the bushveld. This last week saw such a Tusker move through Londolozi, a unique sighting in addition to all the other interesting big cat movements going on. The Tsalala Pride seem at home at their new densite with exceptional viewing of the older cubs over the past few days. Of course, what would a week in pictures be without the magnificent Majingilane Coalition. Not only did we witness one of them mating with a female from the Sparta pride, but we also the whole coalition together early one evening. Take a look for yourself…

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The Week in Pictures # 5

by Talley Smith July 15, 2011

The heart of winter has descended upon us, yet it seems as though spring is already here. With an assortment of cubs, pups and foals, one could be forgiven for thinking the season of renewal has already arrived. This past week delivered more fantastic game viewing of diverse wildlife such as wild dogs, the Tsalala lionesses, the Nyeleti Young Male and a stunning cheetah amongst other things. Take a look to see for yourself…

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The Week in Pictures # 4

by Talley Smith July 8, 2011

The Week in pictures at Londolozi Game Reserve. A fascinating beginning to July with many sightings of elephant herds, the Sparta lionesses and the Dudley 5:5 Young Male and Vomba Female together, as well as a trip back to the one of the early members of the Londolozi family…

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The Week In Pictures # 3

by Talley Smith July 1, 2011

The week in pictures at Londolozi Game Reserve from the 25th June to the 1st July. Some wonderful images from Talley, which include a new, unknown male leopard…

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The Week in Pictures # 2

by Talley Smith June 24, 2011

The week in pictures at Londolozi Game Reserve from 18 to 24 June 2011…

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Found! – Tsalala cubs still alive

by Talley Smith June 20, 2011

The Majingilane males had caused havoc. After killing one of the Southern Pride young males they had run north and scattered the Tsalala lionesses and the four older cubs who were with them. The two lionesses and two cubs regrouped, however the remaining two were nowhere to be found.

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The Week in Pictures # 1

by Talley Smith June 17, 2011

The last week in pictures at Londolozi Game Reserve including a video of the spectacular Lunar Eclipse…

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Talley Smith

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