A very welcomed few days and nights of gentle rain led us into this sunny week, which brought with it fresh green shoots of grass. This vibrant flush was greeted by herds of prancing impalas, galloping wildebeest and trotting zebra. The rising river has, for now, relieved territorial pressure on hippo bulls and some wild flowers have bloomed fashionably late!
Personally, a very memorable sighting of a young elephant with blue-to-grey eyes kicked off the week. A similar sighting of Jess MacLarty’s a few years ago was documented by Kate Neill where a partially albino elephant was seen. The one this week lacked the signs of skin pigmentation and pale extremities and only displayed the lighter eyes. Without all of the difficulties of full albinism, this young elephant has managed to stay alive for many years and looks to be on its way to a healthy adulthood. The unique eyes make for an unforgettably striking yet beautiful sight.
With the recent rains the previously verdant green and lush riverbed of the Sand River has now been replaced with flowing water and many mud wallows are a favourite for rhino and buffalo. Although the surrounding water won’t last too long, it is a pleasing top-up to the area before the dry winter arrives in the next few months. Predator and prey species alike have been very active following last week’s showers and everyone enjoyed an array of sightings as a result.
Enjoy this week in pictures…
Taken just over a week ago after the initial rains of March, and one of the large waterholes fills up quickly! A change of scenery to start off the week; crescent moon and all. 1/160 at f/4.5; ISO 500.
The blonde-maned Matimba male’s previously gashed forehead is healing well after February’s battles. Despite temporarily splitting from each other, the Matimba coalition survived another altercation with the Majingilane, who moved back west with injuries to two of the three. 1/250 at f/2.8; ISO 1000.
Sired by the Matimba males, the two Tsalala pride cubs are growing by the week. A very fortuitous view of one of them in the spotlight of the day’s last sun rays here, as the other cub suckles. 1/400 at f/4; ISO 640.
Pale, blue eyes of an elephant. Dappled light across the face of the young, partially albino elephant. With no other pale pigmentation on the body and no signs of blindness, it was very pleasing to observe this wonder go about a normal life within a herd. 1/200 at f/4; ISO 250.
Evening light made it difficult to photograph this sighting of the Inyathini male and Mzanzeni female mating. With a large aperture and steady rest, the sharp male is foiled by a motion-blurred female as she enters the frame; a pleasing alternative to usual sharpness all round. 1/80 at f/2.8; ISO 1000.
A pair of Giant kingfishers have been great value recently as they tend to perch along the riverbanks even while vehicles are passing close by. A large lens gave me this rare opportunity for a bird portrait, which uncharacteristically hides this female’s massive bill in this case. 1/1000 at f/6.3; ISO 1000.
Everyone’s queen, the Mashaba female, looks into surrounding thickets as the sunlight fills the gaps. Early mornings at their best. 1/1250 at f/4; ISO 400.
Anticrepuscular rays of light. During sunset, this confusing sight (also known as anti-solar rays) can sometimes be seen to the east, in the opposite direction to the setting sun. As common rays of light converge on the sun through clouds during a sunset (crepuscular rays), these seem to converge on no sun (an anti solar point). Perception is at play here, as both crepuscular and anticrepuscular rays are parallel shafts of sunlight through clouds but appear to converge as they travel; the same way railway tracks do. The moon was almost full during this photograph. 1/60 at f/4.5; ISO 500.
The Piva male waits in the branches of a tree for some young Hyenas to move away. Our view of him through many thorns contrasted with the sunlight highlighting his golden coat and made for an interesting photograph. 1/800 at f/4; ISO 400.
During the coalition’s time apart, the dark maned Matimba male rests in a thicket to escape the wind. The two have since reunited and have killed and fed on a young buffalo together. 1/800 at f/2.8; ISO 500.
After an enjoyable mudding and splashing in a nearby wallow, this elephant cow covers herself in dust. Morning light gave us this beautiful orange mist in the process. 1/500 at f/5.6; ISO 250.
Something I will never forget as a Tsalala lioness brings her two cubs to a recently killed young Kudu. At just a few weeks old the cubs investigated the carcass and made an effort to chew on parts of it… It didn’t seem like much (if anything) was actually consumed but all the gnawing and licking would certainly introduce some new proteins and bacterias into their diet! A special moment shared. 1/80 at f/2.8; ISO 1600.
The Nanga female, unseen for quite some time, looks over her continuously held territory. Monochrome simplifying her beauty and revealing the dark band of rosettes twisting down her back. 1/160 at f/2.8; ISO 1000.
To end the week, the Southern Cross is almost hidden amongst the glowing Milky Way and its countless stars. “Xirimele”, the footpath of our ancestors lies above us. 30.0s at f/1.8; ISO 800.
The Mzanzeni Female? who is that I assume shes a young female whos been renamed
Hi Blair, yes she is the previously known Dudley Riverbank young female and has been renamed recently after being very territorial from middle 2015, around her late mother’s territory.
Hi Sean, It seems only Hairy Belly and Majingilanes were involved in the battle but where was Ginger during this time. Was he involved in a battle against Othawas and Hipscar? Or he was sheltering in south?
Hipscar and Othawa pride have not been seen some days. Do you think it has a connection?
Hi Chris. Thank you for your comment, but believe otherwise. Although the two Matimba males were separated by quite a distance for several days following the Majingilane’s arrival, tracks indicated that they were together at the start of the night and during the encounter. In previous sightings involving a convergence of the two coalitions we have observed the clear determination and eagerness to attack by dark maned Majingilane; often seeing him leave the other two behind as he chases towards Matimba’s. Tracks indicated that one lion had been mauled severely before the Matimba split occurred. Therefore, dark maned Majingilane must have caught up to slowly fleeing Matimba’s, who saw him alone and both attacked for a brief time before the second and third Majingilane males caught up. This would’ve been enough time to inflict the injuries to him. Secondary injuries to another Majingilane male would have happened soon thereafter and the fight which progressed could have split the Matimba’s while the Majingilane regrouped. Two of the three had superficial injuries. Hipscar Majingilane male was not present at all, and we believe there isn’t a connection between Matimba males and Othawa pride as they have not come near to contacting each other recently.
Beautiful pictures Sean,the Nanga female was seen in the north yesterday and she had suckle marks so maybe that’s the reason why she has been more elusive.
Thank you, Alex, yes she seems to be denning in a very rocky area close to the Manyalethi riverbed where she has denned numerous times before. She has unfortunately lost several litters in the last few years and we are hoping she can succeed with this one. The litter is very recent and still much too young to try view but the area in which she is denning is well hidden and so we will hope for the best for her!
Great pics, as always.
And I have to say, I’m very surprised that the Matimba males, at least Hairy belly, have come without any injuries after those encounters. These boys are great.
Also, love the pick of Inyathini, he looks so grumpy thinking: “Oh, not her again…”
Many thanks. My heart and soul are lifted for the day thanks to your lovely images and words.
Finally some news about Ginger! Thank you Sean. I think we all had our fingers crossed. I’m guessing we don’t know whether he was involved in the latest scuffle with the Majingilane…? It’s sure quite the feat for Hairy Belly if he held his own against three of them! But a part of me wishes Ginger was there as it would have been more of a statement for the Majingilane to stay away and hopefully Londolozi can have some cubs soon with the awesome Matimba genes. On another note, love the photo of the sky at night – with so many city lights we tend to forget just how many stars there are. Awesome photos!
Hi Ricardo, thanks for the comments. Please see my above reply regarding the two Matimba males’ presumed involvement in the latest interaction. We believe both managed to injure two of the three Majingilane males, probably at separate times of the night before being split in a chase.
Also, see the Tsalala cubs pictures in http://blog.londolozi.com/2016/03/the-sighting-of-a-lifetime/ who are fathered by the Matimba males. Their survival will directly depend on the males’ future dominance in this area… More at stake now!
Thank you and I’m glad you appreciate the overlooked night sky!
These are ALL truly special images, Sean! I’m so glad to see Nanga again and the Matimba and Tsalala cub shots are awesome. And that blue-eyed elie – wow! We kust made reservations to return for 2 weeks next April; I don’t know how I can wait for a year!
There are some wow factor photos there-real wall candy-especially the dust bathing ellie and the giant Kingfisher. I have a thing about Kingfishers and had one of my best ever game drives with Andrea at the Causeway photographing them.
Beautiful photography Sean..you make the bush come alive…well done
Beauitful pictures leopard ??
Thanks for reply Sean.
Thnx Sean! which Tsalala lioness is the mother of the new cubs?
Hi Mike, the mother is one of the two older adults, she is sister to the tailless female. Therefore, the mother is the tailed female who is also mother to the younger lioness (who has now reached maturity but yet to have a litter of her own). These two tend to remain near to the cubs while the tailless female and four sub-adults of late 2013 move independently. We will have to wait and see whether they will all rejoin or another Tsalala breakaway pride is eventually formed.
Great selection of photos Sean. I’m missing the magic that is Londolozi.. Great night sky!
Hi Sean, I have seen Scat Nosed Majingilane. He is a huge Male. I have not seen clear photographs of these Matimba Males but many people say they are big Males. Are these really that big? Are these bigger than scar nosed Majingilane?
Hi Chris, yes these Matimba males are large lions. It is hard to compare lions in the wild but I am of the opinion that any male lion who manages to survive the nomadic years when they are very vulnerable to older and stronger dominant males, will be in the top range of the species; meaning the strongest and most attractive genes reproduce. Thus, all males who acquire their own dominance (as Mapogo, Majingilane and, now slowly, Matimba coalitions have done) are significantly big and powerful cats. The dark maned Matimba male has a stunningly extensive mane giving him a big appearance but the blonde maned Matimba male may be a heavier individual. Both are large, nonetheless, but courage and determination will have to carry them through, as scar nose Majingilane male (along with dark mane) are still very formidable. Time will tell…
Thanks Sean. It was really helpful.
Oh wow that is a very unusual & not often seen picture of the Giant Kingfisher! Beautiful thank you for an amazing set of pictures!
Thank you, Sean, for your clarifying the Matimbas – Majingilanes recent battle. Now, it all adds up! The 2 Matimba fight Dark Mane Majingilane, with the other 2 Majingilane coming to Dark Knight’s rescue and driving away and scattering the two Matimbas. Thus, Dark Mane took the brunt of the injuries charging against two dominant and powerful males in HB & Ginger. Wow, Dark Knight is crazy brave!!
Sean, I was wondering about the same thing as Chris regarding size. I have noticed Ginger (on camera, at times) seeming bigger than HB. The mane can be deceptive. I would LOVE to see the Majingilane and the Matimba in the same pic or video, side-by-side; however, as you seem to suggest there probably won’t be much difference in size between them. They are all dominant males with great genes.
hairy belly has such a resemblance to the now late Makhulu of the infamous Mapogos, gasped in shock for a few seconds before the caption set me right. Both truly iconic male lions!
I really like the photo of the giant kingfisher.