It was a week for rhinos. With the little female calf still hanging around with her mother near camp, and the old territorial bull with the cut ear in constant attendance, we enjoyed some wonderful sightings in the open clearings. Some warmer days also saw a few crashes (‘crash’ is the collective noun for a group of rhinos’) wallowing in the mud that still remains as we move deeper into the dry season. The rest of Londolozi’s wildlife was as wonderful as ever, with beautiful lighting conditions in the mornings and evenings providing fantastic photo opportunities as Winter marches on.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
Two buffalo bulls stare each other down near Piva Pan. Tracks of a large male lion were in the area, and the buffalo were restless, making tracking on foot a rather intimidating prospect. Unfortunately the tawny cat escaped us on this evening.
The female rhino calf that has risen to prominence these last few weeks. A favourite of rangers and guests alike, she was chasing wildebeest and warthog on this evening.
The hip-scarred Majingilane has by far the most beautiful eyes of any member of the coalition. Here he is seen scent-marking while one of the Mhangeni youngsters cautiously approaches.
One of the Mhangeni cubs yawns as the hip scar male walks by to scent mark a bush.
An inquisitive elephant calf approaches the vehicle.
The same sighting as the elephant calf in the previous photo. We had moved down the bank and were heading for a sundowner when this young elephant walked across the sunset, presenting an amazing opportunity for a silhouette shot.
More elephants, this time in the Sand River near camp. This perennial river provides a constant water supply for these pachyderms during the dry months, and the lush vegetation along its banks is a good food supply.
An infant hippo in a pool near camp. Hippo calves like this are usually too small for their legs to reach the bottom, and are forced to rest on their mother’s backs.
A very alert herd of impala look towards where the Mashaba female leopard was walking by.
A young impala male, born in the last rainy season, clears a puddle in Camp Donga with a graceful bound.
Seeing klipspringers is a special sight. Seeing two together is even better, as they generally exist in male/female pairs. But seeing four in one spot is remarkable indeed.
The Mashaba female rubs her pre-orbital glands on a fallen marula in an attempt to mark her territory. Sadly we believe she has lost her latest litter of three cubs, but has been seen mating with the Marthly male, so may already be pregnant again…
One of the Mhangeni lioness leads the rest of the pride on a chilly winter’s morning. They had eaten a wildebeest the day before, so didn’t move far.
The Colgate smile of tracker Mike Sithole as he enjoys a sighting of wild dogs, which can be seen fighting over the remains of an impala in the background.
A young male rhino revels in a mud wallow near the Maxabene. Mostly seen placidly grazing their way through the day, white rhinos can provide the most wonderful and entertaining viewing when you least expect it.
The mother of the little calf repulses the advances of a big male rhino.
Photographed by James Tyrrell
Awesome pics. Love the klipspringers. Fantastic rhino pics
Excellent set of photographs James, really enjoyed the elephant, rhino and Majingilane pics.
Fantastic photographs James! My favourite is the hip-scarred Majingilane and youngster — so beautiful and regal. The little rhino has grown a lot over the summer and is so cute! Thanks for a great week of pictures!
Really interesting photo of the Mashaba Female – loved the lines and the textures.
Stunning pictures of sunsets, cats, ellies, rhinos and those little klipspringers! The yearning to return to Africa grows stronger every day. The yearning is the most contagious thing there is in your beautiful place..Thank you for sharing..
Wonderful pictures once again, but the favourite is the Rhino baby, hip-scarred Maji’s beautiful eyes & the leopards & oh goodness me all the others too 🙂