The phenomenal duo, Tom and Jerry, watch the Tsalala Pride’s tailless female march across a clearing in the morning light, the rest of the Pride follow leisurely.
After a long morning’s territorial patrol, the Mashaba female settles down in the chaos of winter’s driest grasses and relaxes into a subtle yawn.
Naive distraction. One of the Wild Dog pups is pulled away from sibling playtime by the sight of an uninvited Hooded Vulture.
As a grand-daughter of the late Sunset Bend female, the Tamboti young female flaunts her golden coat with pride; here, beautifully framed and contrasted by the harsh branches of a Knobthorn.
While one of their mothers takes life more seriously, these two sub-adult Hyenas find time to play; the cold September morning evident in mist.
Confidence personified. The Vomba young male, illuminated and golden, stops to look back and ensure that his hidden kill remains unseen. The patient hunt had made him thirsty.
Leaving for the day, the warm sun vanishes behind the powerful figure of a lone bull Elephant. His poise towers the long grass.
A very uniquely lit Mashaba female leaves her kill in order to rest further out on the branch with a full belly. As the sun approached the horizon, its bright beams were reflected off the Sand River next to us and up into the canopy of this Jackalberry. A natural lighting not often presented.
The tailless female and the rest of the Tsalala Pride move into the first light of the day; wilderness at their grasp.
A look of satisfaction as the Mashaba female rids an itch behind her ear. Not surprisingly, a long session of meticulous grooming followed shortly thereafter.
Desperate and determined, this young and nomadic male Hyena foams at the mouth while chewing on the tough skin and bones which remain of an old carcass. Constantly he looks over his shoulder.
Coming into her own, the Tamboti young female is starting to look more like a proud up-and-coming individual than an inexperienced cub. Only her pink nose, green eyes and untethered coat give away her young age; she exudes potential. Watch this space!
A sharp greeting from one of the Tsalala cubs on the return of a Majingilane male into the area. The cub showed courage running ahead of his mothers and straight up to such a powerful lion.
A significant moment. We marvel at the then 15-month-old, Tamboti young female on her first kill without her mother’s assistance or even presence. She even had the maturity to hoist this kill high up into a tree where it was out of the Hyenas’ reach for the two days during which she fed. A beautiful accomplishment.
Photographed by: Sean Cresswell
Beautiful images. Lovely shots of the Tamboti young female.
Well done Sean! Some really nice images!
Nice one Seano! Love the long distance shot of the Tsalala pride and the youngster approaching the big Majingilane male. Beautiful!
love that picture of a cub looking up at the big male, scary
Great set of photos Sean, I particulalrly like the tsalala pride walking away. What gear were you using.?
Thanks, Rich! I was using a Nikon D300 with an 18-300mm lens and trying to shoot off a beanbag as much as possible!
Lovely pictures.
Londolozi produces magnificent photographic opportunities, last month with Simon, I put the camera away and just sat and let Africa come to me. Sometimes the camera is a block between you and what you are seeing.
Thanks for making that point Sean
Wonderful images Sean! I love the one of the big Majingilane and cub. They are all really great though. I agree with you both Sean and Ian, it is really a special moment when you put the camera down and let Africa come to you and experience all the beauty and magic. There is no other feeling on Earth like it.
Excellent images! Well done on your first Week in Pictures, look forward to many more.
Great pics Sean, great to see you have joined the photographic team…my favourite is the tailless female with the pride first thing in the morning, amazing shop it looks like a painting.
Thank you, Sue, and yes… That one was my favourite as well! Such a beautiful few moments of that scene and was lucky to be ready with my camera! I hope you are all well.
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