There is a chill gripping some of the mornings of late, a cooling air that softly whispers ‘winter’. The lack of consistent rains is slowly taking its toll and looking out onto distant hill tops the grass no longer glows green. I’m sure drops of water will descend upon us, sooner rather than later, and that we will once again feel the relief of the summer rains. The animals don’t seem as concerned and continue to take advantage of the flush of green produced early on in the wet season.
As we look to the heavens and hope, enjoy The Week in Pictures.
Two of the Majingilane males walk back to one of their brothers after investigating vultures finishing off the left overs of a wildebeest kill made by the Tsalala pride.
The overcast conditions have lent themselves to some beautiful soft, even light. I could photograph elephants all day but here is a moment spent with them, a young elephant trunk.
A lone marula towers above the sea of grass and other shrubs in the open areas in the south west of Londolozi.
Looking better than ever, the Dark Maned Majingilane.
Last light.
An opportunity I have looked forward to since seeing the this spot on the reserve. It has taken a year for any of the cats to stand here at the end of a day…
A massive male nyala displays and makes all his hair stand on end to appear larger to try and intimidate another male just out of frame.
The stunning Mashaba young female, she has some of the longest whiskers around.
Harsh afternoon light and a stubborn wildebeest allowed for this black and white conversion. He was set on holding his ground as we shared the shade of a marula tree with him.
Quintessential.
The delicate and dedicated work of one of thousands of weaver bird nests decorating the bush at the moment. The precision achieved using a bill and a foot is mind blowing.
Last night’s storm was all bark and no bite, we are desperate for a little more rain.
Which image catches your eye the most?
Written and photographed by Simon Smit
Beautiful images this week. Love the dark mane Magingilane, and the Mashaba young female.
Yea Majingilane! Also, love the bird nest and shot on the hill. Nice work!
Th Mashaba young female looks so selfconfident. No fear for anything, and convinced of her beauty. The girafe in the sunset is also a “whaw”
Well done, Simon. Beautiful photos. Stunning.
Beautiful as always Simon! I love the Weaver nest – it reminds me of my poor little bird that built 11 nests & the “old bag” had them all demolished, but he’s still around so I am hoping he will find a “nicer bird” & try again 🙂 Have a lovely weekend
It is hard to pick just one.. they are all spectacular!
Thank you for sharing!
WOwW…all pictures are stunning in their individual settings and subjects….just keep taking them! Love them
Spectacular images Simon! I think they’re all fantastic but the silhouette photographs of the giraffe and also the lioness (congrats on getting your shot after waiting patiently for a year!) are especially beautiful. There is nothing I love more though, than to see images of the Majingilane…they are the definition of majesty, strength and beauty. I’m really happy to see that they are still doing well and look strong and healthy. Thanks for another incredible week in pictures Simon!
Thanks all! I personally like the photo of the young elephant… Hope you have had a great weekend!
The storm photo_ I would be very pleased to have taken that, and it would have found its way onto the wall reserved for travel photos
(as opposed to safari photos)
HI SIMON,
IT WAS GOOD TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH YOU LAST WEEK. I LOOK FORWARD TO US SPENDING MORE TIME TOGETHER AT LONDO’S ON MY FUTURE VISITS.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ON THE BLOG, NOT TO MENTION THE PHOTOGRAPHS, STUNNING SHOTS OF THE MASHABA AND THE MAJINGILANE’S. MY BEST THOUGH, AND THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU, IS THE LIGHTNING STORM! GREAT SHOT BUD!
KEEP WELL, CATCH YOU SOON.
KIND REGARDS,
TED.
I like the photo of the male nyala.