It is quite appropriate that today is the final day of the year and that we get to share the very best images of the month. These images are the ones that caught our attention whether it was because they were the most striking or in some cases more unusual. Although it is summer and the bright colours of the bush and its greenery stand out in some of the images, there are also a few monochrome pictures that seemed to be popular with our photographers. There is a mix of subjects from elephants, lions, leopard, zebra, cheetah, a beautiful weaver, a giraffe drinking water with perfectly captured water droplets and my personal favourite, elephants walking along the road taken from Ximpalapala Koppie.
We would like to wish all our readers a wonderful last day of 2014 and the very best for the New Year. Stay tuned to the blog for more exciting stories and beautiful images…
An overheating Mashaba female seeks shade and a slight breeze in the canopy of a Marula tree, with her eyes towards a nearby herd of impala. Sean Cresswell
A swirl of water. Michael Johnson.
A cheetah scans the bush around him from his vantage point on a fallen tree. Don Heyneke
Weavers – the master architects of nest building. Michael Johnson
The moment the lions realise that this elephant really does mean business. Amy Attenborough
A zebra and her foal peer out from their dazzle. James Tyrrell
The Mashaba female, the perfect predator, silent and stealthy blending into the evening darkness. Trevor Ryan McCall-Peat
The chase. A male of the Styx Pride chases after a female of the Sparta pride. James Tyrrell
The serenity of the bushveld is perfectly complimented by the gentle presence of elephants. Michael Johnson
An inquisitive young elephant bull sniffs the air as the wind swirls. Simon Smit
Photographed by: James Tyrrell, Michael Johnson, Sean Cresswell, Simon Smit, Trevor Ryan McCall-Peat and Amy Attenborough
Pick your top 3 and let us know which ones you like the most in the comments below.
My 3 best pics are:-
1. The leopard – Trevor McCall-Peat
2. The giraffe – Michael Johnson
3. The zebra – James Tyrell
My 3 favorites are;
1. The cheetah standing on a fallen tree.
2. The elephant chasing the female lions away.
3. A tie between the leopard sitting on tree
branch and the weaver building a nest.
Sorry, I can’t choose. Since I was in Londolozi in September, I will choose my pictures that are hanging on the walls of my house so I can be in Londolozi all the time–in my mind. Happy New Year to the best place and people in the world.
My 3 favourites are
1 – Trevor’s Picture of the Leopard
2 – Mashaba Female – Sean
3 – Young Elephant Bull – Simon
Thank you Kate for making it so difficult, but just keep them coming. I wish you all a wonderful 2015 & may you keep us entertained with your beautiful paradise & sightings. <3
1. The leopard – Trevor McCall
2. The zebra – James Tyrell
3. The giraffe – Michael Johnson
They were all great pictures to remember African safaris.
1. Mashaba female leopard – McCall-Peat
2. Giraffe – Michael Johnson
3. Weavers – Michael Johnson
because I am a birder
and/or
Cheetah – Don Heyneke
All the rest are tied for 4!
Agree with Alice Ross assessment. Three spectacular photos.
Thank you so much for all the wonderful stories and pictures throughout the year. Londolozi is on my bucket list and I can’t wait to see it in person.
They are all really beautiful, I couldn’t pick a favourite! Happy New Year to everyone at Londolozi and all the best in 2015!
1. Bushveld with elephants – Michael Johnson
(because I can picture myself right there again watching the scene)
2. Weavers, bird and nest – Michael Johnson
(because of the extraordinary colors and the miracle of nature)
3. Zebras – James Tyrrell
(because of the beautiful black and white composition)
We can’t wait to come back. Happy New Year to all of you at Londolozi !!
Denise & François from France