Mike Sutherland recently joined the Londolozi guiding team. With two years guiding experience already behind him – a year at Kwandwe in the Eastern Cape and another year at Phinda in Kwazulu Natal – it was not long before he was up and running as a fully fledged Londolozi ranger.
New to the Lowveld, Mike has found delight behind every bush in his as yet brief stint at Londolozi, and here he shares some of his first impressions and favorite photographs…
Flap Necked Chameleon – Uncommonly found on the ground unless looking for a mate or to lay eggs. This photograph shows such great contrasts in the colours of the skin as well as the sharpness and the inquisitive eyes.
Yellow Billed Ox Pecker – On the left a juvenile Red Billed Ox Pecker and on the right, a rare Yellow Billed Ox Pecker. A bird i have been searching for since I began my guiding career. A great lifer for me and luckily a photograph to prove it.
Ximpalapala Cub – Definitely a stand out for me. My most memorable sighting on Londolozi to date. Here one of the Ximpalapala Twin sisters peers curiously at our vehicle. I cherish each and every sighting with these Leopards.
Xidulu Den site – Hyenas offer great game viewing, especially at the Xidulu Den site. This picture, personally, represents intrigue and intelligence from a somewhat tainted view of the species.
Vomba Cub – My first real look at Vomba’s young male cub. Now almost 1 year old, offering great viewing and relaxed with vehicles after many months of hard work by the committed ranger team.
Sparta Pride – Positioning is key in a sighting to get the best photographs. this sighting didn’t go as well as planned initially, however when these lions settled metres from our vehicle, it allowed an opportunity to get some creative photographs.
Scarlet Dragonfly – The African Bush is renowned for the Big 5, hunting Lions and Leopards in trees, however, there is nothing more rewarding than paying attention to the smaller details in life.
Scar nose male being reprimanded by on of the 6 young Sparta males. Perhaps setting a standard for the future.
Scar nose Majingilane in Black and White – Pride, Passion, Power. Enough said.
Mashaba Cub – One of the current favourites on Londolozi. This photograph is a favourite of mine. The eyes of this beautiful cat, golden and innocent.
Marthly Male and Tutlwa Female – I was fascinated here, when the Tutlwa female tried to seduce the male whilst on the arm of a Marula tree. Each day holds a new lesson and experience.
Marthly and Tutlwa Mating – Shortly after the previous picture, both Leopards descended the tree and allowed us the rare opportunity to view the intensity of their lifestyles and uncommon interaction together. My first view of Leopards mating.
First Cheetah seen at Londolozi – Being renowned for incredible Leopard viewing, when I began at Londolozi, I did not expect to witness what I did this particular day. Cheetah kill at Weavers nest pan.
Golden Maned Majingilane – The trials and tribulations of the lifestyle of a male Lion coalition intrigues me, and the constant pressures they face from neighboring coalitions for land, territory and prides. This photograph forces me to be ever curios of their fascinating lifestyles.
Captions and Photographs by Mike Sutherland
Mike your photos are wonderful – the one of the Cheetah is FABULOUS – competition winner, can’t stop looking at it, well done.
Great work Suthers!! Amazing pictures! Well done. All the best at Londolozi. Keep well chap.
Awesome photo’s Mike! Really like the shot of the Mashaba cub, and its golden eyes. Is it possible in the future if you could add the details of the photo (f-stop, shutter speed, ISO), would add quite nicely I think.
Hi Nic, thank you for the comment. For that particular picture: (F-stop : 5.6 ISO: 250, Shutter speed: 1/400sec.) Shot with a Canon 7D, 100 – 400mm Canon L- series lens.(F4.5 – 5.6)
Mike this is an outstanding album of images!! What a fantastic shot of the Juvenile Red Billed Ox Pecker and rare Yellow Billed Ox Pecker.
Interesting to see how Vomba’s cub is maturing. Take a look at this footage of her filmed in September last year – http://blog.londolozi.com/2012/09/vomba-female-has-a-new-cub/
rich
Wonderful pictures Mike, cheetah and the mating leopards in particular! You will need to share your expertise when I am there later this year! Many thanks.
Thank you very much Liam, when are you coming exactly! Look forward to some great Photographic opportunities!
Awesome blog Mike – looking forward to many more….
Are those golden eyed leopard cubs (Vomba and Mashaba) sired by Gowrie male? Excellent pictures, thank you.
Raise, interesting comment as we all know the Gowrie male has amazing eyes, however, both Vomba and mashaba’s youngsters are sired by the Marthly male!
Wow great photos Mike ! It makes me a little less sad that Adam left now (especially as you seem to be a “leopard man”) 😉 I love leopards too, they’re such beautiful intelligent animals. Looks like Rich will have some excellent help with the blogs and photos now ! I can’t wait to see some more of your photos, will you be getting a public profile on Facebook so that we can all see your pics ?
Cheetah kill and black/white scar nose……magnificent shots
Wonderful shots, Mike! The power and calm of the cheetah is mesmerizing – and the oxpecker shot is special. Thanks for sharing!
Great photos Suthers!
LOVE the one of the chameleon!
Keep ’em coming…
Brilliant blog Mike – those pictures are incredible. Particularly love the one of the leopards fighting and the B&W Scar Nose Lion. Looking forward to the next lot!
Nice one Mike. Loved the Dragonfly! Keep well bud and good to see you have settled in there. All the best – Adam
Wonderful pictures. Love them all, especially the Sparta pride in position. Thanks a lot.
Great photos, Mike! Looking forward to seeing more of them in the future.
The Mashaba cub and cheetah kill photographs are brilliant Mike. Also loving the Sparta family line-up. How’s that for a family portrait!
I agree with your comments on the Scarlet Dragonfly Photograph – there is a lot more to learn other than the Big Five.
See you in Jan
Derek & Chris
Hi Mike
Lovely photo of the Scarlet Dragonfly and I strongly endorse your remarks. Look forward to meeting you in Jan.
Derek
Re my comments on comments on Dragonfly photo, what is meant by “awaiting moderation” – to me that means my my wording is too strong – please comment
Derek
Hi Derek! Thank you for your comments. I look forward to meeting you in Jan aswell! Regarding “awaiting moderation” as far as I can tell, it is automated by the system for each comment. But will look into it!
Mike your pictures are rad! Mashaba cub definitely my favourite… I remember the cheetah sighting too! See you soon.
Well done Mike, nice to see you settling in and enjoy that incredible place
Thanks for the photos Mike – quite an amazing start to your time at Londolozi!
Awesome images Mike – superb start to your time at Londolozi!
Unbelievable shots bud!
Welcome to the Londolozi Blog. We look forward to seeing and reading about your journey through this wonderful place. You pictures are wonderful.. Leopards are my fav big cat so the golden eyed Vomba cub is marvelous! I happen to love hyenas too.. They are much maligned and misunderstood. I find them to be very interesting.. We got to know a family of them while watching the live Safaris from Djuma.
Wouldn’t it be awesome if Londolozi could do something like that?
Thank you for sharing your corner of paradise with us..
Wow Awesome pictures Mike!! Thank you for sharing!!! Ahhh i miss the bush!!!
Incredible pictures Michael the one of the Majigilane male lion and his cub is truly Epic. Well done bud.
Hi Mike. i am rather behind on the week in pictures but kept this to look at later and was rewarded, it was worth it. Well done on some fantastic images and glad to see that you are enjoying your life at londolozi and taking great photographs.
Absolutely amazing Mike. Love the shots