As mentioned last week, the rains have well and truly arrived and the bush is quickly transforming itself. This can make tracking a little more difficult at times, and keeping your camera equipment dry while trying to get some good shots can also be a challenge! However there was still plenty to see in the past week, rain or not…
The Vomba Young Female lies on a fast growing mat of fresh green grass
The Nyaleti 4:3 Young Male rests on a termite mound in the early evening, sporting a fresh but in no way serious wound on his neck.
The Short Tail Male walks through a recently burnt area, his coat contrasting dramatically with the blackened vegetation
Ever alert, Short Tail Male glances over his shoulder
Camp Pan Male takes a drink from a small puddle next to the road-with the rains having arrived he didn't have to walk far from his kill to find some suitable drinking water
Camp Pan Male stretches and sharpens his claws on the trunk of an ebony tree, assessing the best route up to the meal above. He had two impala in the same tree-an adult female as well as a one year old male. With the first impala lamb of the season already sighted on 30th October, we are sure to be seeing a few more scenes like this in the months to follow.
For a big, bulky male he makes the climb up look remarkably easy
What goes up..... After having eaten his fill, Camp Pan returns to the ground for a nap
Looking a little less graceful on the way down than the way up, Camp Pan prepares to jump the last metre or so to the ground.
WOW…these guys have gotten REALLY big in the past few weeks. I assume that can be attributed to the season, i.e. rains/births? They certainly look healthy, well fed and content!
Hi Geri, it will most definitely be a cause of the general wellbeing of the whole environment as much of the general game is also starting to eat well again and thus put on weight. My own opinion, however, is that the rain has washed the dirt off many of the leopards and left them with shiny, good looking coats.
They are such beautiful creatures, and your photographs are equally stunning.
Wonderful …. the photos are always spectacular.
Hi Rich..
I can not believe how big Vomba Young Female is!! Is she mating yet?
and is she territorial or is she still sharing territory with her mother?
Hi Graeme, at the moment we do not think she is mating as nobody has witnessed her in the act. She is, however, most definitely holding onto her territory around Plaque rock all the way up to Xidulu and the MM break. Wonderful to see her progressing so well, I know she is a favourite female leopard amongst many of the rangers.
Wow, Shorty is in great shape!
“Oh My Gad” Rich beautiful pics!
Did nt get to see the clip on CNN would you perhaps have a link of some sort to it?
What awesome creatures live in the bush, WOW!
Thanks for the highlights:-)
Carmel
Hi Carmel, glad you enjoyed the images! To see the CNN clip, just visit this link to the post on the Londolozi Blog – http://blog.londolozi.com/2011/11/pioneering-the-new-frontier-of-a-social-enterprise/
Thanks for your comments, Regards,
Rich
Hi, Rich.
I have a dumb question. Do you know which pride of lions mauled the leopard queen?
Its not a dumb question at all Francis and my answer is that I honestly don’t know. I will look into it for you the next time I see JV.
As far as i know 3:4 Leopard Queen was not mauled by lions but the Sunsetbend Female was mauled by the Sparta Pride in the Sand River near a kudu carcass.
Thanks, Rich!