After a few weeks leave it was good to get back and catch up with some of Londolozi’s most famous residents. Despite a few quiet days during the middle of the week, it was another busy seven days on the leopard front. Camp Pan Male in particular was making his presence felt and was seen almost daily, patrolling all his favorite spots. Hope you enjoy the selection…
The Vomba Female relaxes in the Sand River
The Vomba Young Female takes advantage of a small marula tree, partially pushed over by elephants, in order to gain a better view of her surroundings.
A herd of kudu hastily retreat as the Vomba Young Female approaches. Rather than running far, they will keep an eye on her, albeit at a safe distance, continually barking out alarm calls until they are sure she has moved off.
The Tamboti Female has become a regular visitor to the eastern sections of Londolozi. This week she was seen for a few days with an impala kill which she hoisted in a Jacket Plum tree.
The Nyaleti 2:3 Young Male looks up the trunk of an Albizia tree on the banks of the Manyaleti River. It is one of those "leopard trees" that you always envisage a leopard in. Unfortunately this time, he walked past, disinterested
The Camp Pan Male seems to be back to his normal menacing self. Other than a slightly fading coat, he is in great shape and for the time being at least, appears to have held off the challenge of the Dudley 5:5 Male
The Camp Pan Male with a young impala kill. He was visited twice during the two days or so he took to finish it off. First, his son the Maxabene 3:2 Young male was seen skulking in the area and later the Maxabene Female-however, he was in no mood to share and neither one dared challenge him for his kill.
Tried a slightly different effect for this photo. With a very slow shutter speed (less than 1/20 sec), you focus on the one point you want to be sharp. As you press the shutter, you zoom out quickly, giving the effect above. The key is to try and keep as steady as possible so as to keep the focus point sharp despite the slow shutter speed. A camera mount of some sort would be ideal.
The Maxabene 3:3 Young Male was also seen this week in the area around Guarri Pan. Sightings of him and his brother are getting more and more infrequent as they slowly disperse from their home territory.
A stunning shot of the Tamboti female, and Vomba being as gorgeous as ever. Also love the contrast of sizes in the shot with the Kudu’s. Fantastic!
P.S I have hoped to see many a leopard in those so called “leopard trees”, but alas, the scrawniest trees seem to suffice on most occasions. haha.
Love your blog! I read it everyday. Great pics too.
Amazing, gorgeous creatures! Hard to pick a favorite as they all are so beautiful and have proven themselves….however, I think the new girl on the block, the Tamboti Female, is quite a lovely addition.
Thanks for sharing all the photos!
How is Dudley Male 3:3?
John he hasn’t been seen in a week or so but from last reports he seemed to be much in much better shape, hardly limping. It’s an amazing testament to the powers of recovery and resilience to be found in leopards. I assume you were referring to the injury to his back right leg?