The pace of the bush has not slacked off, as the cooler weather has kept the activity going until well into the morning. The Sparta pride have been successful in their hunting, bringing down at least two adult wildebeest of late, while the Majingilane have met with similar success, hunting and killing two buffalos in the South Eastern corner of the reserve.
The big news is how relaxed the cubs of the Tamboti female are getting, and as she is stashing them fairly regularly in the Inyathini drainage line, the rangers and trackers have a fair idea of where to start the search in the mornings.
Enjoy this week in Pictures…
Ants. Often overlooked but fascinating little creatures. I have been experimenting with a macro lens of late, exploring a tiny world which to its inhabitants is every bit as dramatic and potentially dangerous as that of a lion fighting for survival on the African plains. f9, 1/640, ISO 2500
Another rarely seen francolin, this time the Coqui. Like the Shelley’s, the Coqui also favours long grass, and is also heard far more often than it is seen. f3.5, 1/1000, ISO 100
The vertical stripes on the face of this young Burchell’s Zebra stallion make this photo for me. f3.5, 1/500, ISO 640
A rather disgruntled hippo contemplates his rather dismal wallow at Sable Boma Pan. As winter approaches, wallows and waterholes begin drying up, leaving little space left for the hippos and resulting in rising tensions between them. f3.5, 1/800, ISO 640
Two of the Sparta Pride sub-adults climbed a termite mound on this evening to get a better view of a warthog that was making its way back to its burrow. Too far away to give chase to, they opted to let it go, and by the morning their mothers had caught a wildebeest for them to feast on. f2.8, 1/200, ISO 3200
This Majingilane was following the tailed Tsalala lioness around near Nanga Pan in the North. She was not very receptive, and the next day he was mating with her sister a few kilometres away on the Londolozi Soccer field. f4.5, 1/640, ISO 640
A tangle of lions, as three of the Majingilane coalition reunite one morning to the west of camp. We had heard roaring coming from all different directions throughout the night and were lucky enough to be on hand when the trio got together on this cool autumn morning. f8, 1/320, ISO 640
The Mashaba female and cub. Spending an exorbitant amount of time around Vomba Dam and the Strip Donga, both of which lie relatively close to camp, sightings of theses two beautiful leopards have been fairly frequent of late. f4.5, 1/1000, ISO 640
A buffalo cow absolutely covered in oxpeckers. Although often forming a symbiotic relationship with large herbivores, oxpeckers can actually be detrimental to their health at times, keeping wounds open and opening up old ones. f3.2, 1/1600, ISO 320
The morning sun catches the spray as a bull elephant drinks from Circuit Pan. f3.2, 1/4000, ISO 2000
One of the Tamboti female’s cubs. The female and her two youngsters were found on this morning on an impala kill. Also in attendance was the Camp Pan male, who is either the father of the cubs or believes himself to be. The morning resulted in one cub getting firmly stuck up in a marula tree, unable to climb down until it launched itself into a neighbouring bushwillow. f3.5, 1/500, ISO 320
Ranger Mike Karantonis gets a welcome visitor in the form of one of the Tamboti female’s cubs. Amazingly relaxed around the vehicles at such an early age, these little leopards, although not often seen, have already provided some amazing viewing. f5.6, 1/400, ISO 640
Leopard symmetry, as the Vomba female and her cub lie next to each other shortly after reuniting one evening. f4, 1/400, ISO 1600
One of the most amazing leopard-in-tree sightings I have ever been privileged enough to bear witness to, as the Nyelethi 4:3 young male climbed a dead leadwood tree above us after we had followed him through long grass for about 15 minutes. f6.3, 1/500, ISO 160
The same sighting. Perfect viewing. f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 320
Photographed by James Tyrrell
![Kambula Pride Playing On Riverbank (6) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/13085423/Kambula-Pride-playing-on-riverbank-6-RCB-280x178.jpg)
Nyelethi 4:3 black and white photograph is unreal!! Well done JT I’m so jealous!! It just keeps getting better!!
Never a disappointment! I hope I get to take some amazing pictures upon my return in 85 days!
Outstanding photos, particularly liked the innocent look on the face of the leopard cub and also the one where two lions are standing on the termite mound. Every week, I look forward to your The Week In Pictures. Keep up the brilliant work
I try to pick a favorite…..not possible. Love the zebra and the cub and …. and…. and. Counting days till I’m back at Londolozi.
Wow. Just Wow.
James, incredible week in pictures. The zebra, elephant spray and leopards are unbelievable shots! Well done, rich
Well said Rae…WOW, JUST WOW!
I also loved the zebra one! And all of them!
Es sind sehr schöne Bilder
JT! Well done bud, your photo’s just keep getting better and better. Love the leopard in leadwood shots.
Great pics James, brings back some fantastic memories, missing you all so much.
JT, that’s an unbelieveble collection! The last shot in particular is really special.
Beautiful pictures. I enjoyed it. Thank you.
James!!!! How do you expect one to chose a favourite out of this bunch of stunning pics?? You have outdone yourself with this posting – thank you so much for sharing – I also cannot wait for the “This week in Pictures” – Keep them coming.
Thanks again
Fabulous photos – Thanks!
Wow JT what an awesome collection of pictures…. As always…
James,
The pictures are wonderful – wish we were there! It has been a while since we have seen any pictures of the Tsalala lions – particularly the original tailless. How are they doing?
We are certainly appreciative of all of the updates on the happenings at Londolozi.
Thank you,
Amy
Awesome shots. Really fantastic, out of the box thinking shots too. And as for the last two shots, I wish they were mine.
Epic shots, James!!! I can’t decide between the elephant spray and the zebra. Those should be hanging in a gallery somewhere. Of course, the leopards are exquisite too. Once again, I’m left homesick for Londolozi.
James, I love the cropping and detail of the zebra stripes, bull elephant spray and the b/w Nyelethi is, yes, amazing. These perspectives add depth and beauty to the magnificent animals seen live and in so many other photos.