An amazing week; some of it captured on film, some in photos, some not recorded at all, but all of it very special. This has honestly been one of the most intense and diverse weeks I have had in the bush in terms of the sightings we have witnessed. From new leopard cubs to cheetah kills, mating hyenas and some confused dung beetles, the quality of game viewing on Londolozi at the moment is nothing short of spectacular.
Enjoy this week in pictures…
A flap-necked chameleon glances back through a beady eye. The eyes of these animals can swivel independently, maximising their field of vision to watch for both predators and prey. f6.3, 1/640, ISO 2500
The Sparta Pride had taken down a wildebeest during the evening, and Byron Serrao with Judas Ngomane found them on the banks of the Maxabene River, completely gorged, yet still picking the bones clean. The vivid red on the ribs is testament to how fresh the kill is, as the meat browns fairly quickly in the dry conditions. f2.8, 1/800, ISO 640
Swiftly becoming favourites of mine, the mother cheetah and cubs were hunting some impala on this morning, but after a couple of unsuccesful chases, the mother led the two youngsters into the shade for a rest, to hopefully try again in the evening. f5, 1/1000, ISO 320
A wild dog ducks under the noses of some curious giraffes. Far too small to be a threat to them, the wild dog and his pack were soon to head back up to the crest where the rest of their pack had taken down an impala yearling. f2.8, 1/200, ISO 3200
His head and neck still covered in blood, one of the pack that has been around for a solid 8 days cools off in a pan near Fluffies Clearing. f2.8, 1/250, ISO 5000
A very large dung beetle rests casually on Mike Sithole’s hand. We were surprised to see this beetle on the road, as they tend to go dormant in Winter, only emerging with the first rains of next summer. f14, 1/320, ISO 2500
A female Egyptian goose leads her goslings through the duckweed and Ludwigia weeds on Shingalana Dam. f6.3, 1/640, ISO 640
Unfortunately for these hippos, the gentle breeze on this day had made all the duckweed accumulate on their side of the waterhole. f8, 1/640, ISO 320
A large male warthog eyes us out with an impala ewe in the background. This male was watching over a sounder of 11, the most warthogs I have seen in one place. f8, 1/500, ISO 250
Hooded vultures clustered around the spot where one of the Tsalala breakaway lionesses and her two young cubs were feeding on an impala kill. We suspect that she had stolen it from the Notten’s female leopard, who was also found at the scene and who hung around for awhile, hoping to reclaim some of her lost prize. f11, 1/500, ISO 500
The paw of one of the Sparta Pride sub-adults. They were so bloated with wildebeest meat on this morning that I have seldom seen more uncomfortable looking lions! f4.5, 1/500, ISO 320
This white rhino cow was wallowing in Circuit Pan while her calf trotted around the edge, squeaking at everything in sight, including us. f5.6, 1/800, ISO 800
Stopping for coffee is one of the best parts of a chilly Autumn morning drive. A biscuit had fallen from the coffee stand, and these Burchell’s glossy starlings lost no time in descending to pick up the crumbs. It was a great opportunity to get low to the ground for a fresh angle. f5.6, 1/640, ISO 320
Amongst the chaos of a large herd of buffalo, this cow still found time for a beauty wallow. Humans have been using mud-baths as treatments for thousands of years, particularly in areas where hot spring waters combine with volcanic ash. The benefits of mud baths are said to be many and varied, and the treatment can cost thousands of dollars in high-end spas around the world. This buffalo cow was quite content to use the mud to cool off and help rid her of some parasites. Best of all, she got it for free. f2.8, 1/80, ISO 2000
A territorial wildebeest bull warily watches the Mashaba female leopard and her cub as they cross a clearing near camp. f11, 1/540, ISO 640
Photographed by James Tyrrell
Hi there J.T. – hats off (even dedicated ones!!) for a great week in pictures. Only just home, miss you all,
but wonderful memories, the sightings we had with Byron and Judas were indeed spectacular.
James,
I was looking at the photos from the week we were there. Loved it all. You had posted a photo of 2 rhinos together. I would like to use that photo for a local contest, but I can”t recall it happening and don’t have one as clear. Are you comfortable with this as long as Londolozi is credited?
Edie
PS……..Let me be clearer…..I can’t recall that exact moment.
Anyway, obviously I won’t do anything until I hear from you…..I have great Leopard photos from that same day that will be really fun to share….they will also be credited to Londolozi….I am already thinking about next year!
Edie
Great pics! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Outstanding photos as always JT, really enjoyed the chameleon and the starling. rich
My friends David & Jenny will be at Londo or their first and long-planned visit in a week or so – please look after them – they come on my recommendation :). Just love what you show us – we are very fortunate. Thank you James
We are looking forward to having them Carol and will most certainly look after them like gold! Thank you for recommending us to them. 🙂 rich
As always James, a welcome part of my week – I’ve been on so many drives at Londolozi, and yet there is still so much left for me to see!! Thank you!
Thank you again for sharing you little piece of paradise.
Awesome photos…thank you!!!
Amazing photographs. Just incredible.
One of the best photographic records I have seen of wildlife in Africa.
The large dung beetle reminds me of a Rhinoceros beetle I found in Suriname in 1994, lying on its back in the baked clay after a furious downpour that flooded our campsite, moats and all. I picked him him up, flicked off the clay, and let him recover on my hand. He was fully the size of my palm. One of the guides told me to hide him, or the other blokes at the site would snip off his horn, and wear it around their neck as a talisman of good luck and virility. I placed him high up on a tree and watched him slowly climb up, away from danger. Hard to imagine these huge creatures can actually fly, and do battle with each other.
Thanks for all your awesome images!