The trickiest thing about a post like this is deciding which images to leave out, as the number of great images being taken by the Londolozi staff is phenomenal. Notice how I said ‘staff’ and not just ‘guides’. Many of the camp managers and back-of-house staff are keen photographers, and there has been a particular emphasis on night photography over the last few weeks, with the clear skies of the season and new moon allowing for incredible star photography opportunities.
Without further ado, here is our selection of May’s top 10 images.
Feel free to comment on your favourites below…
The beautiful contrast of deep blue and gold in this shot of the Mashaba female have been captured magnificently with the right white balance setting. The Mashaba female stares at rutting impala shortly before the Mhangeni pride ran in and robbed her of an impala kill she already had. Photograph by Don Heyneke.
Seeing the many possibilities in a situation and not just looking for the obvious is what sets the truly great photographers apart, and Don Heyneke is one of those. As the sun rose behind this Tsalala lioness – which would have had most people positioning on the opposite side of the rock to get the golden light, Don went for the silhouette and captured this simple yet truly stunning image. Photograph by Don Heyneke.
As mentioned above, it’s not just the rangers that are dab hands at photography, but the camp staff as well. Here one of the Varty Camp managers illustrates celestial south in breathtaking clarity. Photograph by Rob Crankshaw
Two impala rams go head-to-head to try and win mating rights to the females. These clashes can be particularly violent and it is not unheard of for a flailing horn to inflict a fatal wound. Photograph by Amy Attenborough.
Images like this are subtly evocative of the normally shy nature of leopards. Photograph by Trevor McCall-Peat.
A slower shutter speed captured the wispiness of the cirrus clouds above as well as blurring out the flowing water in the Sand River. Photograph by Sean Cresswell.
Another silhouette shot by Don, this time of the Mhangeni pride. Photographs should always tell a story, and apart from capturing the beautiful colours in the sky, this shot really makes me want to know what the two lions on the left are looking at as the sun sets… Photograph by Don Heyneke.
One of the Tsalala cubs braves a narrow channel in the Sand River to follow its mother across. Photograph by James Tyrrell.
The Anderson male levitates to avoid a swipe from the much smaller Nanga female immediately after a mating bout. Photograph by Nick Kleer
Another case of seeing all the possibilities in a situation. A slower shutter speed blurs the dust and creates an ethereal effect to this elephant herd’s dust bath. Photograph by Sean Cresswell.
Awesome Photos
Well chosen – superb photos and a good grasp of technique
Oh my goodness the pictures & write ups just get better & better! Pure perfection all of them, thank you for sharing all these beautiful images James
Awesome, each picture truly amazing. Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful story and magnificent pictures! Thank you!
Incredible photographs, each one is stunning! Thanks for sharing!