Getting back from leave, the bush was far greener than I expected it to be. Late rains have given the Lowveld a final flush into winter, but already the animals are starting to congregate around the more permanent waterholes.
After two weeks away, it’s great to wake up to fall asleep to the distant sound of lions roaring instead of traffic.
Enjoy this week in pictures…
A photo more of interest than of quality. This wild dog pack of 5 was the second new one I have seen in the last few months. The collar on this individual tells us that the pack originated in the Kruger National Park, where most of the wild dog studies are conducted. f3.5, 1/320s, ISO 320
An African Hawk Eagle, Africa’s fastest eagle. Most often seen in pairs, these eagles are supreme hunters, favouring game birds such as francolins and guineafowl as prey. f3.5, 1/2000s, ISO 320
Takeoff. A lot of eagles are generally wary of vehicles, and our cameras had to be up and ready as we approached to capture the moment. f3.5, 1/2000s, ISO 320
A gorgeous evening on my favourite clearing, Ximpalapala crest, complete with an elephant bull with magnificent tusks. For a first evening back from leave, it doesn’t get much better than this. f5.6, 1/320s, ISO 640
The Golden-maned Majingilane (whose mane is now darker) with his clearly-visible missing upper-left canine, yawns in the evening light on Ximpalapala Crest, shortly before being forced to move on by a large elephant bull. F4, 1/400s, ISO 160
The Majingilane male from the previous photo with the bull elephant following his scent. A bull of this size has nothing to fear from a male lion, more like the other way around. Encounters like this just go to show who the REAL king of beasts is! f5.6, 1/250s, ISO 640
The lion decided to move off the road rather than to keep being pushed along by the elephant. As soon as the lion was out the way, the old bull moved off to feed on some marulas. f7.1, 1/200s, IS0640
A Hamerkop hunting at the River Crossing. I slowed my shutter speed down considerably to get the blurred effect of the water, but had to try keep the camera very still at the same time in order to get the hamerkop coming out nice and crisp. f9, 1/30s, ISO 100
A thirsty Majingilane. Three of the males had robbed the Vomba female leopard of an impala kill, and she and her cub had to go hungry. f2.8, 1/640s, ISO 160
Scenes like this are so beautiful I could sit all afternoon and watch in silence. A herd of kudu and a troop of baboons were foraging in the Manyelethi riverbed. The temperature was perfect, everything was peaceful, and afternoons like this are what the bush is all about. f5, 1/200s, ISO 320
Officially the night before full moon, although it looks pretty much round. Contrary to popular belief, full moon offers poor hunting conditions, as the amount of light makes predators far more visible to their prey. f4, 1/640s, ISO 640
A young waterbuck calf suckles from its mother. The colour difference is noticeable between the two, as younger antelope are often slightly more camouflaged during their early lives. f3.5, 1/640s, ISO 320
The Mashaba female enjoys the sunset from atop a termite mound before setting off on the evening’s hunt. Photo by Richard Burman
A tree squirrell nibbles on a nut while sitting on the stump of a marula branch. Photo by Richard Burman
A beautiful photo of a very late-blooming impala lily. Photo by Richard Burman
Photographed by James Tyrrell and Richard Burman
So great to have you home!
As always fantastic pictures James and great to see Rich’s shots being included. Hope to see more of them 🙂 Nice one!!
Rich and Jamo the lighting you have captured is a true exhibition of lowveld wintery days. Awesome!
Love the hammerkop photo!
So interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing those stunning pics & words with us all James & Richard. Really good to watch from the armchair – wish I could be there though 🙁
Beautiful pictures, als always. Thank you.
Wonderful shots! Loved the hawk eagle’s take-off – and the hamerkop!
welcome back…great Shots–love the light.
We’re getting excited–will be there in a little over 2 weeks for 8 days.
Will you guys please Stop stop stop posting such gorgeous pictures like the bull elephant at Ximpalapala Crest as it makes our heart ache with longing to be back at Londolozi. Sitting here at the computer on a cold damp UK Sunday morning!
breathtaking, simply breathtaking.
Great selection of photos that truly depict Londos…… Gita pop up and see you all!
Like it JT! And Rich.. Next week extra points for focus on the Majingalane & the future kings, the 6 Sparta umfana’s!