Green everywhere. That is what Londolozi has become in less than two weeks. Apparently a little further north of us the bush is still very dry and brown, yet down here we are fully into Summer, with only a few migrant birds left to trickle in and make up a full complement of species. The impala lambs are literally due any day now. Last year we saw our first one on November 4th, but in 2011 the first was found on 17th November, so their arrival is imminent, and the predators I’m sure are licking their lips while waiting in the wings for this boon.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
The Tamboti female and cub recline on a fallen Knobthorn while a prowling hyena skulks below. f3.2, 1/40, ISO 2500
To be honest I haven’t taken the time to identify this guy yet. While I go and look it up, are there any suggestions? Gav Rosenbaum I know this challenge is right up your alley… f9, 1/125, ISO 2500, 50mm Macro lens used
A baby White Rhino takes some time out to scratch its chin on a stump near the Head of Tugwaan Wallows. Scratching posts like this can get worn to a smooth, polished finish after years of big herbiveres rubbing themselves on them. f6.3, 1/200, ISO 100
Two buffalo bulls doze in the Sand River at Finfoot crossing. Not wanting to disturb them, since they were there first, we were forced to drive a couple of kilometres further along to cross at a different point. f7.1, 1/400, ISO 400
Ranger Don Heyneke has a close encounter with a large elephant bull in musth. Often getting a bad reputation as being irritable and dangerous (although this can be true), large musth bulls, if approached cautiously , can offer wonderful sightings. This one was following the scent trail of a breeding herd of females that had recently passed through. f8, 1/160, ISO 640
An elephant bull displays his strength by pushing over a Marula tree as easily as one would blink. Bulls sometimes push trees down seemingly for the fun of it; walking away without eating anything. F8, 1/320, ISO 1000
A herd of elephants had been playing in the mud wallows outside the Pioneer Camp access before deciding to head towards Tsalala Pan (after which the Tsalala pride is named) for a drink. This one following behind seemed far more intent on having a bath than a drink, but still found the time to grab a few trunkfuls of water. f3.5, 1/1250, ISO 640
The weathered face of an old bull giraffe. We were parked up on the bank at Taylor’s Dam, and when he raised his head it didn’t loom over us quite as much as he could have, so we were able to capture a more eye-level shot. f5, 1/500, ISO 320
Ranger Greg Pingo mans the Land Rover below the Southern Cross Koppies, while the Sand River valley snakes out to the East. f4.5, 1/1250, ISO 320
Two of our largest lizard species go toe-to-toe in the Tree Camp car park. A rock monitor and a giant plated lizard eye each other out before the monitor retreated into his log. f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 320
The Mashaba female leopard surveys a distant herd of impala from atop a termite mound. Leopards are far, far better at assessing the possibilities of a hunt, and what may look like a good opportunity to us may seem like a waste of energy for them. Instead of having a crack on this evening, she went to sleep instead. f2.8, 1/1000, ISO 640
The Mashaba female again, during another warthog encounter similar to the one in last week’s TWIP. Once the element of surprise is lost, leopards will often move out of the area, knowing they have almost no chance of a successful hunt. f4, 1/1600, ISO 640
An eventful evening. A single Mhangeni cub had, for reasons best known to itself, been left behind on Ximpalapala Koppie, where the youngsters had been stashed for the day. Arriving in the evening, we only saw the single cub high up on the slopes. Before too long, the soft contact calling of a lioness was heard, as the mother of the cub had returned to fetch it (and no doubt give it a good scolding for wasting her time). f3.5, 1/640, ISO 640
A wary glance from one of the Mhangeni cubs at the approach of one of it’s siblings. Even though three of the lionesses are lactating, competition over teats can be fierce. f5, 1/1000, ISO 640
Two of the Tsalala cubs play in a Tamboti thicket, where their mothers had led them to escape the rain. f3.2, 1/800, ISO 640
Photographed by James Tyrrell
Only ten months to go…
Another wonderful week at Londolozi! I can always rely on the blog to restore my spirits.
Any updates from the sparta pride?
Hi Thelma. They have been in and out over the last few weeks. Tracks were around our central areas but the guys who saw the tracks were following a pack of wild dogs at the time so didn’t follow.
All 9 of them were fit and healthy last time we saw them though.
James
It’ s just i haven’t seen any pictures or something about them, thanks for your time.
I, too, have 10 months to go before I can be back where I left my heart & mind last year. No, really, I dream of Londolozi almost every night. Great dreams!
Another wonder look into the beautiful bush.. Thank you so very much for sharing these sites with us.. Don’t forget to let us know the name of that gorgeous beetle!
James-
Wonderful photos and text!! You found the baby hyena’s, I see. Thank you again for a fabulous experience sharing the bush with you and Mike. Ken and I are longing to back there already. It’s taken me a few days to look at the blog again as I get so emotional. Please say “hello” to Erin, Tresta and Jacqui!!
I am fourteen years old and I was fortunate enough to have traveled to londolozi about a year and a half ago. My experience was amazing, and I would be interested in knowing the details of becoming a ranger there when I am older and what the best education I could have to prepare me for this job
Hi Mathew
So pleased to hear that you have been inspired to become a ranger after visiting us.
I will send you an email shortly giving you the in and outs of becoming a ranger.
Kate Imrie
Lovely captures!
JT magic again. Thanks.
Bring on 29th December!!!!! That’s when we’ll be back. The change in season holds much hope and promise for us. We will have the joy of experiencing the green season this time. Our September visit was wonderful and I know this upcoming one will be superb. We can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Arden Zalman November 8, 2013 at 18:58
I, too, have 10 months to go before I can be back where I left my heart & mind last year. No, really, I dream of Londolozi almost every night. Great dreams!
…and I (foolishly) thought I was the only one who felt like this and counted days till a return to Londolozi. :>) 9 days, 15 hours 59 minutes and counting.
Hummm….DAY dreaming as well as night dreaming! The blog keeps Londolozi on my mind…
The look of the baby lion: priceless !
JT stoked to get a mention… even if it is the biggest baits of all time! It looks like one of the long horn beetles, there a a lot of them, so not sure the species would need to look it up… What do you think?
Awesome photos again!! Most of them telling a story which is very special!
Nice one
I was thinking the same thing. Might take a while to zero in on the species, but will give it a go…
James as always, the highlight of my day seeing the week in pictures. Kim, I hear you – I haven’t been to Londolozi in FAR too long and some weeks, I just can’t read the blog or look at the photos because I’m just so “homesick” to be there…I’m starting to look at booking a trip now, so I think I can “look” again….:-)
Thanks as always James, et al!