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…
The Vomba Young Female pauses in her search for monitor lizards on the banks of the Sand River. As this young leopard continues her endeavors to improve her hunting, she seems to have found many of these reptiles along the river. Shortly after this photo was taken, she managed to nab one; however, her father, the Camp Pan Male, was close by and quickly stole it from her.
An impala carcass lingers in a tree. Usually, if a leopard abandons its kill, the vultures and tawny eagles are quick to descend and polish it off.
Two young elephant bulls tussle, full of themselves on a cold winter's morning. Eventually, one of the females in the herd got so annoyed by the shenanigans that she chased both away, despite being much smaller than either of them.
This week we have had visits from several unknown leopards. This young male posed obligingly for us while hunting for monitor lizards.
The view from Winnis' Clearing on a winter's evening. A few days ago on the evening of the Winter Solstice, the sun set completely to the right of the escarpment's ridge. As we wait for the Winter to conclude, we will watch as it sets further left each evening.
At only a few months old, the Wild Dog pups we have been viewing seem to have endless energy. There are seven youngsters in total, and the adults have been diligent about moving the den site often. This can make tracking them difficult, but will be vital for their survival, and our sightings of them are that much more special.
Confident and cocky, a young male leopard walks past a sunbathing raft of hippos.
An impala leaps aside Taylor's Dam, while the rest of a herd and a Woolly-necked Stork look on.
The Marthly Male, clearly recognizable by his 'mane' as well as his torn right ear, patrols his territory south of the Sand River. In this sighting, he was being followed by the Vomba female, but seemed indifferent to her affections. Having watched the Camp Pan male and Dudley 5:5 Male fight over territory and mating privileges with her, perhaps he is cottoning on to her strategy...
After feeding on a giraffe carcass, the biggest of the three Mapogo males, who used to be the dominant coalition at Londolozi, came for a drink in the late afternoon light. Despite looking older than before, these three males are still in a strong condition.
A herd of buffalo rests during the heat of the day. With Winter firmly upon us, the grass is steadily drying out making it harder for the buffalo to supplement their nutritional needs on a daily basis.
An unknown female leopard and the Emsagwen Male growl at each other. The two were seen mating, which in leopard normally involves much hostility, but this female was particularly aggressive in her persistent efforts.
A family of Egyptian Geese have an evening feed at Shingalana Dam.
The alpha male of the Wild Dog pack shows off his prize: a duiker head. He seemed less interested in feeding on it than taunting the rest of the pack. It has been suggested that Wild Dogs use the head of their prey as a 'trophy' to play with once a kill has been made.
The unknown young male knew investigates unfamiliar grounds. We are hoping to see more of this stunningly beautiful leopard.
Hi Talley,
Another great week at Londolozi. Your pictures are amazing, you have a great eye, can I ask what camera and lens’s do you have/use?
Sue
Hi Sue! Thanks so much! I use a Nikon D90 with 80-400mm Nikon lens, mainly… then also a Nikon D40x with 18-200mm lens. Hope to see you here again soon, and thanks for not outing me to David 🙂
Wow, I’ve never seen so many hippos together in one place before !!
Talley your photographs are a feast for the eyes, you have a great talent. Thank you for sharing them with all of us. Through these captured moments we are all transported back to Londolozi and feel as though we were right there with you – and its wonderful.
hi talley-
my son luke flynn and parents tom and judi embrescia are there this week with the wpo group. will you please keep your eyes out for them and let them know that we are thinking of them and hoping they are having a great time!
best,
amanda
Hi Amanda, Strangely enough your son and parents were the first people I met from the group; I picked them up from the airstrip! Your parents are lovely and Flynn is such a star. They are having a fantastic time, seen lots of big cats and I know Flynn is meeting many new friends! They loved hearing that you are thinking of them. Hopefully next time you can come too!
One runs out of words…Talley this has become regular reading for me and I truly look forward to and enjoy it! I think those two elephants are from Easton!!!
UW
I am not sure, but the young male in your pictures may be Mixo, nearly 3 years old and one of the twin sons born to Karuala in Djuma. They were extensively followed by WildEarth Safari TV. His brother, Induna is still hanging around in his birth area around Vuyatela and the mother has 2 new cubs, a male and a female.
Thanks so much Talana. The male is 5:3 and also been seen on Mala Mala. Fantastic news that his mother has new cubs!
you pics are awesome Tally … keep ’em coming! XOXO
Hi Talley!
The pics are fantastic! Dane (2 yrs old), Daxton (6 yrs old) and I have the best time viewing the pics together. We can’t wait until they are old enough to come out and visit you, Freddy and the wonderful animals! Thanks again for all you do!
Enjoy!
Wooooow…hold on a sec!! Makulu Mapogo was spotted on Londolozi??!!! I thought they were sticking to the west of Sabi Sands away from Majingilane territory. That would be an amazing development if they are back to their old grounds. There were reports that they have been supporting fresh scars from fights with what could be a new coalition back west and are extremely nervous and skittish. Could they’ve been ousted from there also!! Interesting to find out.
my mom judi said that you told her we were in contact! thank you!!!! your pics are fabulous!
Thanks so much guys for all the great feedback. We are very lucky here; every day a new story unfolds. More next week…
Hey Talley – these BLOG PIC’S are absolutely out of this world! You are clearly settling in to life at Londo’s – lucky Londolozi!!!
Oh Talley,
I love sharing your stunning photos with my family as they were unable to join me on my adventure last month. It helps them get a feeling for what I experiences in person. Next time I hope to see the wild dogs. 🙂