We had not even driven out of camp before we heard bushbuck alarming just outside the entrance.
As we drove into the area we saw the bushbuck, who with their intent stare and loud bark, led us straight to the Flat Rock male leopard who seemed to be on a territorial patrol. After some discussion, Sean Zeederberg and I thought it would be wise to try and stick with him as his general movement had been heading north towards the river.
James Tyrrell had left it up to us to follow the leopard as he entered the Founders Camp access.
Things got slightly tricky as he weaved his way through an overgrown watercourse in front of the Founders rooms. We had parked the vehicle in the hope he would use the stream bed which came towards us. Thankfully he did.
Leopards are regularly viewed form the camp decks.Here the Nhlanguleni female approaches a bushbuck kill she had made off the main deck.
As he started making his way down towards the Sand River we spoke about the possibility of watching him jump over the shallow flowing stream. Most photographers dream of getting that perfect photograph of animals jumping over rivers in a perfect scene and just the small chance of seeing it is what kept us intrigued. The sun had now just broken above the horizon as the crepuscular rays shone through the trees down by the river. We had radioed Pete Thorpe and James Tyrrell there was a chance of him heading towards the river. The race to get to the river then commenced.
The Flat Rock male walks down the vehicle track in a thick area near the river. The sun had now risen to a height where it could shine over the trees and shrubbery and as he walked out of the shadow he was backlit by a golden hue.
As he walked down the road a nyala caught sight of him from only ten metres away. The nyala gave a loud bark in alarm and quickly disappeared in the opposite direction. With the alarm call exploding out of the bush the leopard momentarily paused. The condensation coming out of his nose and mouth showcases how cold it was down by the river that morning.
Leopards will often use the path of least resistance and while on a territorial patrol they will regularly use a similar route to demarcate the outskirts of their territory with urine and other scent-based indicators. Its always very interesting spending time with these incredible animals to try and predict their movements and routes they may take.
The moment of truth was approaching. If the leopard turned towards the river then our chances of him jumping were considerably higher than if he carried on walking along the southern bank. The odds were stacked in our favour and he turned towards the river. While on a territorial patrol leopards urinate often to demarcate their territory so they will often stop to drink at some point.
He walked away from the main flowing stream to where there was a small puddle of water. Leopards often prefer to drink out of a small puddles or waterholes where there is less chance of having an encounter with crocodiles but during winter when things are a lot drier the Sand River is a consistent water source.
Once he had finished drinking he started walking parallel with the river. Our excitement was growing by the second. He was looking for a crossing point as we were trying to manoeuvre the vehicle in the soft sand and predict where he was going to cross so we could get into the best position.
At this point Pete Thorpe and Greg Pingo had joined us down in the river. The excitement and anticipation on both vehicles was unreal, there were nervous laughs bouncing around the vehicles as we repositioned for the best view. All the while the leopard kept moving. We had identified two boulders and thought this is surely going to be where he crosses. At this point there was still no sign of James.
He walked just past the boulders to a small clump of bank which protruded out giving him a perfect jumping point. Everything was perfect, the light, where we had positioned, the angle.
As he knelt down we were all holding our breathe anticipating the leap. The scene was perfect, he got low down to the river and glanced up and down stream.
This is when our excitement was overwhelming. He took longer than we thought. He put his paw into the water, to almost check the depth or temperature. Once he had gained the confidence instead of taking the leap of faith across the river he slowly waded his way into the river with a lot of caution.
It was incredible to see this magistic male leopard slowly wade through the icy cold water. Leopards aren’t known to take to water but in this case the Flat Rock male felt more comfortable wading through the water instead of jumping.
The whole morning started off in the hope of watching the Flat Rock male jump across the river and see something which does not happen frequently. Spending the better half of the morning with this male was good enough, although we might not have got the jump we had anticipated it was equally rewarding watching him wade through the river. Sometimes you won’t always get what you anticipated or hoped for when it comes to nature and wildlife but take out what you want of a situation and make the most of it. I’d say we were pretty lucky at the end of the day.
sadly he did not jump, but what a great way to pass a winter morning!
Great pictures, Guy, and as you say you can hardly feel disappointed that he didn’t jump! As you saw him on his own, presumably his mating sessions have finished – you might have to wait 3 months to see if the female was Nkoveni?
Also on my bucket lust to see a leopard jump across the river. Stunning pics.
Guy, loved all the photos, especially the one with leopard in reflection🤗
Great photos, Guy! I could imagine being there, watching and anticipating every movement Flat Rock made. Thanks!
It is SO exciting anticipating a jump, but even if you don’t get that, you are indeed lucky spending time with these beautiful creatures! I am envious! By the way, what happened to James?
That Flatty boy! Sexiest leopard I’ve ever met.
What a great morning spent with the flat rock male! It’s always exciting to see them do something that you do not normally see.
Such mesmerizing pictures. ..i wish I could take them myself! I will never get enough of leopards sight they are incredibly intelligent creatures and their behaviour is so interesting. In addition they are so beautiful. “The smallest feline is a masterpiece ” Leonardo da Vinci said but also bigger feline are a charm!
An interesting article Guy! He obviously weighed up the chances of getting just his paws wet in icy water or (what a dreadful thought!) getting the whole of himself wet if he didn’t quite make the other side! He chose the lesser of 2 evils. Clever boy. Wendy M
Great story Guy, the Flat Rock male is certainly keeping you guys entertained
How exciting! I can just feel the tension mounting as you waited for that shot! .. And in perfect light! OK so he didn’t jump., but very unusual to see a leopard actually in the water like that!
If only …just watching him would have made me happy. Reflection in the water is fabulous
A great story, even without the jump. And great photos, I like the one best where he is checking the water depth or temperature. Though all the others are also fantastic!
Oh the anticipation, great photos!
Great story and even better pictures.
Well, no jump, but a fabulous sighting anyway, watching him wade across the River. I’m thinking back on your post last summer where you did capture the Nkoveni female leap across the River to join the Flat Rock male for another round of mating. So, at least you’ve captured the magical, sought after leaping leopard once. On my list for next year!!
Wow! Great commentary… I will always think of this now when I cross over water…
The magic of nature…
Incredible pictures and wonderfully engaging storyline!!
Lovely shots guys!!!
He got you 🙂 🙂 🙂
Incredible sighting, really interesting behaviour!!
Guy, A little late, but congrats on you patience! The B&W image is awsome!
Thank you
Leopard reflection on water is just awesome.My first time to see a leopard crossing the river.The patience and anticipation exhibited by the passionate londolozi ranger to a large extent shows how deep their bond with nature lies.