“There is never a dull moment on Londolozi!” A common statement that is often said by Guests, Rangers and Trackers alike. One that we, as Rangers and Trackers, tend to thrive on. It is the kind of thing that drives us, as passionate wildlife enthusiasts, to work hard, track hard, stay out later, search for longer and deliver the ultimate wildlife experience, as best we can.
Personally, a complete wildlife experience is fundamentally based around animals of all different shapes, sizes, colours and textures. The majestic Elephant, a proud male Lion, or an ever elusive Leopard. However, it is not only these that inspire people, but the little things draw passion from within. Butterflies, insects, trees and birds. All in all, such elements together paint a full picture with texture and colour, depth and contrast. It is about the art of tracking, the richness of the aesthetics, the aromatic smells and the buzzing of noise in every direction. When this is all put together, a feeling grows within that is unstoppable and it begins to take over a small part of you. As time progresses, this feeling grows into something magical burning within.
After a recent game drive, I returned to camp, guests in toe, with this such feeling, a burning fire that I battled to control. For this exact reason I thought I would share this blog with you.
This is a collection of photographs of some of the smaller things that one can expect to find out on a wilderness experience here on Londolozi. Almost all of the pictures have been taken here on the reserve since my arrival in January, besides one of a Cape Cobra which I have added for dramatic value. It is a collection of Butterflies, Spiders, Flowers, Grasses, Snakes and Birds. Something that we as guides here on Londolozi cherish and are inspired by as much as the large mammals, which we spend most of our time with. However, these smaller, yet important, things tend to fall away from the limelight here on the blog. So, for that reason, this is to remind us all that it is sometimes the small things in life that are the binding elements, the stitching and the glue that put the entire picture of life together.
Flap Necked Chameleon (f5.6 1/500s ISo 320)
Natal Acraea, Acraea Natalica (f5.6 1/125s ISO 200)
Black-Tipped Acraea, Acraea Caldarena Caldarena (f5.1 1/320s ISO 100)
Meadow White, Pontia Helice Helice(f5.6 1/320s ISO 200)
Purple Roller (f5.6 1/160s ISO 400)
An inquisitive Dusky Flycatcher(f5.6 1/160s ISO 400)
Rock Martins warming up together in the early morning sun. (f5.6 1/4000s ISO 1600)
Common Bristle Grass (f5.6 1/500s ISO 100)
Guinea Grass, Panicum Maximum (f5.6 1/1000s ISO 100)
Blue Plumbago, Plumbago Auriculata (f5.6 1/1600s ISO 100)
The flower of a Sausage Tree, Kigelia Africana (f5.6 1/125s ISO 160)
Banded Groundling (f18.0 1/320s ISO 6400)
A Crab Spider (f5.6 1/80s ISO 200)
A noisy Cicada (f5.6 1/1000s ISO 400)
A tree Squirrel (f5.6 1/160s ISO 100)
A Puff Adder
A Cape Cobra
A Water Monitor (5.6 1/125s ISO 160)
Written and Photographed by: Mike Sutherland
This is an AWESOME post!!! I absolutely LOVE the rock martins, what personality! Thank you for showing us the sweet, small things @ Londolozi and reminding us all to stop, and look ALL around!
Great post and great shot of the tree squirrel. rich
Well done Mike Suth. Brilliant images and extremely well written piece. Really enjoyed this blog post. Keep up the brilliant work.
wow, Mike, thanks for an amazing blog,,,, it is the small things in life that bring us happiness and joy
Nice one! Good shots and very well written indeed. Keep up the good work!
Wonderful pics, All creatures great and small do indeed make up a perfect visit to the bush!
Amazing pics Suthers!
Mike, Fantastic images! After spending the last four days experiencing Londolozi in your vehicle, We just want to say thank you for helping us enjoy some of the “little things in life”. Your knowledge and passion helped make our return visit one that we will never forget! Thanks!
Michael, Terri, Max and Mikayla Klauber
a BIG WOW ! thank you for the fantastic photos of the easily missed tiny wonders . . .
some of my favorite Londolozi moments (July 2011) were sightings of the small creatures that
create balance
oh so important in the scheme of things !
Beautiful, special, thank you for sharing x
Each so beautiful – and beautifully photographed! Thanks so much fr sharing your thoughts and your images!
Beautiful photographs!
Hi Mike, magic post and shots. One of the rangers at Umfolozi said, watch the small things and the big ones will follow. Hope to meet you in October.
Mike you continue to astound me both with your pics and your written word. I so enjoy reading your blog keep em rolling. You are doing a sterling job – so proud to know you
These beautiful pictures encapsulate the saying: ” small is beautiful”…..really amazing moments of beauty captured with great skill. It is all too often the small things in life and nature are overlooked …..and in doing so…….much magnificence is missed. Great pictures taken with great skill and an appreciation of the mintue of life. More please !
thanks for sharing nice informations here ,,, great work ,,,
Thanks Mike, these pics are stunning! Yes I did a double take when I saw Cape Cobra – huh – “that’s not a usual” in your turf 🙂 Well done!
I think the usual “people” forget that the little things are beautiful in their own way, so thanks a ton. Write up excellent too!
Mike – Superb photos to go with a fine article, covering the “hidden treasures” of Londolozi. Thanks to you and Like (who has the visual acuity of a Martial Eagle), we experienced the joy of an up close and personal look at “Le Cameleon” hidden in a leafy tree, pitch black conditions, on our way back to Tree Camp. Yes, the high-profile game viewing is second-to-none, but the fact that you were equally excited when you came across a solo Rock Martin sitting in the road at dusk, was not lost on Anna, Jess, Sheila or me. We can’t wait for “Londolozi Part Deux” sometime in the not-too-distant future. Cheers mate!
Mike – Superb photos to go with a fine article, covering the “hidden treasures” of Londolozi. Thanks to you and Like (who has the visual acuity of a Martial Eagle), we experienced the joy of an up close and personal look at “Le Cameleon” hidden in a leafy tree, pitch black conditions, on our way back to Tree Camp. Cheers mate!
I can only endorse all the comments, Sometimes people only think of the Big 5 it’s good to see the other but very important side of a Safari. What about one of a Blue Waxbill – save a flock one for us in January.
Love the information you shared here.