This week we properly introduce someone whose photography suggests that he has been at it for far longer than just the year he has had a camera. Mrisho Lugenge joined the guiding team a couple of years ago from Tanzania, where he was a guide in the Ruaha National Park.
About 12 months ago Mrisho picked up a camera for the first time, and the results more than speak for themselves. Expect to see a lot more from Mrisho over the coming months.
For now, Enjoy his debut Week in Pictures…
The Birmingham males are now down to two. Until recently it seemed as though they had no challengers, but only a few days ago two of the younger Avoca males from the north were seen near the Sand River. With the rain we’ve had over the past few days, the Birmingham duo will most likely be scent-marking extensively over the next week, making sure their territorial boundary is well demarcated.
The Giant Kingfisher, the largest species we find here. Their long, sharp beaks are excellent tools with which to spear fish which is their main source of food, although despite their names, a number of kingfisher species are in fact insectivorous.
The Mashaba female, Londolozi’s current senior leopard. She lost a litter of three a few months ago, so will likely be reproducing again soon. At 11 years old, she should still have a good number of years left in her, as well as hopefully some cubs she can raise.
Londolozi's oldest territorial female. Distinguished by her nose spot, this Sunsetbend matriarch's legacy lives on through her daughters.
A male saddle-billed stork, identifiable by the yellow wattle at the base of his bill. With summer bringing on termite emergences, these storks – which are usually found near water – have been encountered up on the open crests as they take advantage of the abundance of food.
The Ximungwe young male heads in the right direction…
The Nhlanguleni sisters are still spending time in the area, despite suspicions of their mother birthing another litter. They were actually seen in the same sighting recently, with two kills hoisted in neighbouring trees – an impala ewe and a lamb, which were almost certainly a mother and offspring.
Summer is the time of the smaller inhabitants to emerge from their winter dormancy, one of them being the Giant Land Snail, which is one of the earth’s largest terrestrial gastropods.
Vultures don’t only indicate to us where they may be a kill, but to other predators as well. Lions, leopards and hyenas are all known to investigate vultures dropping out of the sky as a potential sign of a free meal. They therefore often cast their eyes upwards…
The Ximungwe female thinks she would be more comfortable on the branch her son is on, so leaps the gap…
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
…seems she was right.
Wild dogs regularly take the opportunity to splash around in small pans on hot days in order to cool off. They will avoid larger waterbodies though, being very aware of the danger of crocodiles.
The Nkoveni young female has been seen wandering further and further afield, with the majority of the local territories spoken for by large adult females. She may establish herself nearby (we suspect she’s already in the process of doing so), but her long term prospects will most likely be decided by what her mother does.
With the grass of summer rising ever higher, leopards are forced onto the higher ground in order to scan their surroundings, as their view. Termite mounds in particular make great vantage points, and we tend to see leopards in marula trees far more at this time of year, as the marulas are in leaf, providing shade and cover to the leopards.
The Makomsava female in a marula tree. With no thorns, large horizontal branches and ample foliage during the summer, maybe 4 out of 5 times we see a leopard in a tree, it will be up in a marula.
Who is the male leopard on the termite mound?
I believe he is called Mawelawela.
Great job, Mrisho! Loved the stork photo.
Mrisho, I especially liked the Giant King Fisher, and the Saddle Billed Stork, along with Ximungwe jumping along the branch, and Makomsava lying in the Marula tree.
Absolutely beautiful thanks for sharing
Great job Mrisho! You’re off to a fabulous start using an amazing camera, and fortunate to have lots of subject matter. Keep clicking…….!
When will the young females get their own names?
The Nhlanguleni females actually have got theirs already Lisa. I didn’t actually look carefully to see which one this was, but they are known as the Finfoot (a prominent river crossing where one is often seen) and the other is the Nkuwa female (Nkuwa is a Sycamore fig in Shangaan).
Best regards,
James
Thanks James! We saw both girls (and their mom and Flat Rock all together!) in August, while Byron was guiding us! Can you give me their spot patterns or any ID info?
Excellent photography! For only one year as a photographer, it is obvious, Mrisho, that you were meant to have that camera in your hands! Terrific TWIP!
Excellent TWIP, Mrisho! Looking forward to more!
The kingfisher photo should be in every book of African bird life. It’s totally perfect.
Congratulations Mr. Mrisho, what a delightful week in pictures. Love the mother and son sharing a branch and it was so great to see all those wild dogs frolicking in the water. Thank you, Victoria
👍😍
Wow, terrific TWIP Mrisho, will look forward to seeing more from you. Is the male leopard on the mound Hosana? Another question, how many litters of 3 has Mashaba lost in the last 2-3 years? – must be at least 3 times she has lost all 3.
Is that the Mawela-wela male in the photo above Makomsava? Gorgeous photos! Thank you for sharing
Loved this Blog and loved our time with you Mrisho! Well done on these photos!
Exceptional and diverse images! Looking forward to seeing more of you captures in the future.
Stunning images…💕
A fantastic TWIP and the photography is exceptional Mrisho. You have mastered it to a “T”. thank you very much for sharing with us. Keep them coming, I really enjoyed viewing them.