The past six weeks have seen some of the best leopard viewing I have experienced in my seven-year guiding career.
Winter is my favourite time of the year, as we generally have beautiful golden lighting for most of the morning and late afternoon. With the temperatures not soaring too high just yet, leopards have been active well into the day.With a number of prey species spending time in or near the Sand River, we have seen the leopard activity on its fringes being particularly productive, and with the big trees and open stretches of sand, the photographic opportunities have been superb.
Her are my 10 favourite images from the last 6 weeks. Enjoy!
(#10 is my favourite)
The Flat Rock male moving on the western bank of a drainage line in beautiful morning light, allowing us to capture a fairly low angle photograph as he moved towards us.
A dominant male leopard over the majority of the north. He originally took over the 4:4 Male's territory when he died.
The Thamba male has been making more appearances in the northern reaches of Londolozi. Is this particular photograph he was sneaking up on two hyenas feeding on a kudu kill which we suspect was made by the Anderson male who was not too far way. The wide-eyed expression on his face is what stood out for me here.
The mighty Anderson male seen here resting on a granite boulder while keeping a close eye on the Thamba male. These two males have been seen on at least two occasions together recently without much aggression from either leopard. This most likely indicates that the Anderson male would have at some point mated with the young male’s mother (a female from the northern parts of the reserve). It will be exciting to see how this plays out in the near future as the Thamba male matures.
Unofficially the biggest leopard in the Sabi Sands, the Anderson male is an absolutely enormous individual in north western Londolozi.
The Nkoveni female’s young cub runs towards its mother. We lost view of the cub shortly after this photograph was taken as the mother led it through a dense thicket, possibly to a near by kill she had made. Although we don’t see it often, we are pretty sure the cub is female.
The Ndzanzeni young male quenches his thirst at a pan in the late afternoon. This young male has entered independence with a bang, being caught in one of the most dramatic camera trap leopard photos ever taken recently.
After stealing this impala kill from the Ximungwe female, the Inyathini male carried it to the base of a nearby Marula tree to be ready to hoist. Male leopards regularly steal kills from smaller females, and one of the first things they will do will be to relocate the carcass.
Another leopard who originated in the Kruger National Park, he has established a large territory in the south eastern areas of Londolozi.
One of the Nhlanguleni females’ cubs comes to great its mother after feeding on a kill she had made to make the day before. These cubs are being seen far more regularly than the Nhlanguleni female’s last litter, which has allowed them to become habituated to the Land Rovers that much faster.
Initially skittish she spent a lot of time in the Sand River, now relaxed she makes up the majority of leopard viewing west of camp.
The Mashaba female takes a drink of water after feeding on an impala kill. Leopards will often pick flat ground and shallow water to drink from, which lessens the threat of crocodiles.
The Mashaba female is currently Londolozi’s best-known leopard. Her relaxed nature means she is comfortable around the vehicles.
One of the Nhlanguleni female’s cubs looks across a small pool towards its sibling, after it had been confused by its own reflection.
This is probably my favourite photograph of a leopard I have captured in seven years of guiding. The Flat Rock male jumps across the main channel of the Sand River. Sometime we are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time!
A dominant male leopard over the majority of the north. He originally took over the 4:4 Male's territory when he died.
Wow, perfect stuff. Flat rock with a lot of dynamic, the photos a superb.
Stunning images Grant. Each one is special. Love the Thamba male and Flat Rock jumping over the river.
Grant, Great Shot of the Flat Rock male….you must be feeling very lucky. All the photos are fabulous …everyone takes me back to Londolozi. Thank you all.
Beautiful photos. That leap by the Flat Rock Male was amazing. And of course, the cubs are the cutest! The leopard is my favorite animal, so these photos were a real treat. Thanks, Grant!
Like Marinda says, the Thamba male shot and the Flat Rock leopard jumping the river are superb.
Beautiful collection of leopard images, especially the leaping Flat Rock male. Were you in aperture priority ? Seems you had to boost the iso, perhaps for the light. Well done. Hoping November will be a good month for leopard sightings!! See you all then……
Brilliant images, Grant! #10 is my favorite too, but that shot of the wide-eyed Thamba male is mesmerizing! Love those Leopards of Londolozi!
Grant, These shots are just incredible! Even more amazing is that you saw all this over 6 short weeks. Wow, we can’t wait to come back to Londolozi!
Simply breathtaking photos! Do you shoot in shutter or aperture priority?
Thanks for sharing these beautiful cats through your photos.
Breathtaking photos Grant! I agree that the the Thamba male’s wide wild eyes and the Flat Rock’s “Leap” are both stunning, but the visceral drama inherent in picture 6, where the Inyathini male makes off with that stolen, bloody carcass….very powerful!
All the photos are great but the one of Flat Rock male- “The Leaping Leopard” is just wonderful. Right place, right time!
All good Grant. Hopefully see you in 4 weeks.
Hard to beat your fabulous series of leopard images! One after the other are stunners and I am hard pressed to pick a favorite. Each are unique. Thanks, Bruce!
When a Londolozi guide says it’s the best leopard viewing he’s seen in his career that’s saying something. As someone who’s seen Grant in action, he’s a very professional guide limiting his personal photographs to a couple of choice shots once or twice a game drive in a 5 second burst so I’m most Impressed with the results sir.
I love how each photo captures a unique aspect of each leopard – curious, agile, formidable. Well done. Still missing Londolozi.
Such an incredible range of images!!!!!!
My favourite has to be the Flat Rock Male leaping, although the first shot of him and Thamba Male’s intense stare are also exceptional!!!
Oh my goodness Grant, these are all fantastic! I do agree with you though, your capture of Flat Rock’s leap is absolutely gorgeous ??