There is change in the air. All of a sudden there is the slightest sign in the bush that the seasons have begun to swing. It is a very subtle change, but to the trained eye, it’s there, all around us. The Knob Thorn Acacias are flowering and the Acacia Robusta are getting fresh, luminous green leaves. The Impala lilies are in full bloom bringing brilliant bursts of vibrant colour to the stark, dry clearings. I’m not saying that the wet season is just around the corner, but I’m sure on its way. It will continue to be an incredibly harsh environment for the animals and birds for the next couple of months, but there is a sense of a turning point, to the times of plenty in the rolling hills of Londolozi. I have been very fortunate to watch the seasons change in this beautiful land of ours. I really enjoy the last couple months of the year in the bush, you can literally watch the grass and leaves grow, as every species battles to get ahead of the next, and readies itself for the on-coming wet season. Bringing the balance of life and survival of the fittest.
Here is this Week Pictures through my eyes and camera, enjoy!
A breeding herd storms towards the Sand river to quench their midday thirst.
Relaxation, the Londolozi way
A Hammerkop fishes at last light, at the Sand River causeway.
A pair of nervous kudu cows, survey the thicket line for possible danger.
The warm weather tempts a rhino cow and her calf for a late afternoon mud bath.
Plaque rock during an early morning coffee break.
Impala lilies in full-bloom . They flower during this time of year as to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies to their flowers.
A pair of zebra rest their necks, keeping a look out for predators on either side. This also allows a herd of impala to lie down in the morning sun.
A White backed vulture eyes me out.
A cub from the Ottawa pride of lions, that we very seldom see, rests next to its mothers fresh buffalo kill.
A young bull elephant we regularly see. Keep a look out for him, he is very noticeable by his torn ear and bad limp and has a very relaxed character.
Camp Pan, the legend, surveys his boundary line.
A thirsty impala stretches for a careful drink at crocodile infested water hole.
A stand-off…
Warthog skill road, with the first real clouds we have seen in weeks!
Clouded sunset, signs of seasonal change.
Tamboti young female rests in a Lowveld Gardenia, while her kill hangs above.
Paws and tail, slung comfortably over branches.
Tamboti Female and her daughter are briefly re-united over the remains of a bushbuck kill. It was fascinating to see the young female hold the high ground, with her kill cached in a tree, and growl at at her mother, forcing Tamboti Female to wait for her daughter to eat the entire kill, leaving a piece of skin and leg bone for her mother to chew.
Tamboti Young Female observes a large giraffe passing by.
A beautiful rhino bull carefully eyes out our Land Rover.
A herd of impala escape the cold misty valley’s for the warmer grassy crests on a chilly morning.
Written and Photographed by: Lucien Beaumont
Wow. Amazing images this week. Love the elephants relaxing the Londolozi way.
Incredible images Goose. Loved the sunset, leopards and elephant reflection.
Fantastic elephants and rhinos! The Tamboti Young Female is looking great and it was very interesting to hear about the interaction with Mom (keeping my fingers crossed for a new litter from Mom in the coming months)
Magnificent. Can’t wait to meet the baby rhino & renew my love for Camp Pan–just 5 more weeks.
Lovely pictures . Poor mom leopard . That’s kid for u
Lucien your pictures are amazing & as always you guys make it extremely difficult to choose a favourite, but the relaxing ellies, sunset, impala lily & leopards top the list for me. Thank you & have a wonderful weekend
Love the photos Lucien! Thank you for sharing
Beautiful photos Lucien! I especially love Camp Pan and also the breeding herd of Elephants. In a stand off between an Elephant and a Rhino will the Rhino usually back down first? Thanks for a great selection of images this week!
Absolutely stunning pics!!!!!
Wow!! So awesome..thank you!!