Over the last few weeks we have been experiencing a subtle change in the weather conditions at Londolozi, as should be expected at this time of year. Not only have temperatures dropped, meaning driving in the early mornings and late evenings is a lot crisper, but we last had proper rainfall three weeks ago on the 27th of March. We aren’t technically in winter yet… The 21st of March marked the Autumnal equinox in the Southern hemisphere, on this day the sun is positioned exactly above the equator, meaning that day and night are of equal length. Daylight time decreases and nighttime increases until the winter solstice on June 21.
A visual explanation of the changing of the seasons. In the Southern hemisphere we are currently in between the March Equinox and Winter solstice. Credits: Australian Bureau of Meteorology
There are a few events that, to me, mark the changing of the seasons. The first of which are the noticeable red flowers around camp.
Nature has its way of balancing things out and one example of this is many plants flowering at different times of the year.
There are numerous aloes around camp that have already started to bloom and feeding on the nectar of these beautiful pinky-red flowers are the equally beautiful sunbirds. Since these succulents started to flower at around the start of this month many species of sunbirds have been fluttering around feasting at the delicious nectar lying within the tubular reproductive organ of the plants.
A male white-bellied sunbird uses its long, decurved bill to probe deeply into an aloe flower in order to extract the nectar. Male sunbirds, with their striking, iridescent plumage are relatively easy to identify whilst their female counterparts are brownish-grey for the most part
Another notable observation is the presence of mist, especially in low-lying areas. Autumn and mist go hand in hand as the longer nights result in air cooling down more and instead of evaporating, forming a layer of mist in low-lying areas. Not only does this make for spectacular landscape scenery, but it makes a male lion’s roar that much more dramatic. A couple of mornings ago we were lucky enough to watch one of the Birmingham males advertising his territory with reverberating roars, the only difference is now there was a cloud of mist emerging from his mouth as the warn air from deep inside of his body was being expelled.
Witnessing a lion roaring must surely be one of the most humbling experiences. In this photograph a Matshipiri male was doing his morning patrol, advertising his presence to other lions in the area
Although there are many more events that I could mention, the last and potentially most noteworthy are dusk and dawn. These daily occurrences in the bush are almost always spectacular, but they are, to me, that much more dramatic in winter. Because it rarely rains during the winter months, there is a lot more dust in the air and that creates a much deeper, burning sunrise and sunset in comparison to summer.
The Rayleigh scattering effect results in us seeing light of longer wavelengths (Reds, oranges and yellows) during sunrises and sunsets, the added dust of winter brings on more vibrance in these colours
I personally have yet to experience Winter at Londolozi due to the pandemic induced lockdown sending me back to Johannesburg last year. And so even though the hues of green are slowly dissipating and I’ll be sad to say goodbye to the migratory birds that now are travelling to warmer climates, I’m excited to welcome winters’ own joys and pleasures. We are able to more comfortably stay out a little bit later on morning game drives as animals stay active for longer and aren’t as inclined take refuge in the shade, and we can enjoy our dose of vitamin D without melting in the 40 degree heat of the Lowveld summer!
Migratory birds, like these barn swallows pictured above, are already migrating back north seeking warmer temperatures and insects that come with them.
Robert, I loved lions🤗
It is surely getting cold here in Middelburg and the winter is on our doorstep. The afternoon wind is nippy and it is getting darker much quicker. I saw the spotted eagle owl here on thursday night and heard them calling each other. They have breed here before and had one chick, which we saw the pair teaching the chick to fly. Our lesser stripped swallow pair had to babies, ( nest by my kitchen window under the roof) , babies grown up quickly and mom had three more babies and the breeding pair left to migrate, leaving the two bigger babies to see to the three smaller babies. They are still here and I suspect will soon migrate as well. Grateful to be able to have these birds here in my yard. Loved your foto of the barn swallows, that made me smile and thought I’d tell you about my swallows. We also have sugar birds, I give them sugar water in bottle right here by my front door, the cape white eye birds also drink the sugar water.
This sounds like a birding paradise! I hope all the birds continue to take refuge around your house, Valmai.
Could agree more Robert, I love the Lowveld winters and those spectacular skies ❤️. Enjoy your first winter in Londolozi and may there be many more 🙏🏻
Thank you, Cally. I too hope there will be many more!
Winters are wonderful–and great for photography!
Agreed!
These latest photos are wonderful. My favorite has to be the White-bellied Sunbird with the bokeh effect. It really draws your attention to the bird. The back ground shades blend in well to the aloe flower.
We will think of you here in Arizona where we are about to enter about 5-6 months of around 100 degrees Fahrenheit!
Our reward will be to be there with you in November (covid permitting) – Spring! Seasons are full of wonder, and we love having a special place on the other side of the world to keep in our hearts.
Good luck with that! We cant wait to welcome you to some more moderate weather in November!
How beautiful! The dusk and dawn pics would be amazing!!
That Birmingham male looks really old there. Any chance you know what age they are approx.??
Great photos
Thank you, Christa.
Cannot wait to be back again in the low veld of South Africa! Gorgeous scenery and weather and animal sightings to come!
Good afternoon Robert, and greetings from New Mexico!- First off, Viewing the Meteorology map is quite the reverse upon the mind from “across the pond and yonder.” It’s hard to image it being the beginning of Summer here, yet Winter there at Londolozi and South Africa.
Second, how you describe the landscape and the environment is just so fulfilling. Your vivid descriptions of everything, to include the beauty, can be digested, felt and absorbed. Third, as a “cat lover,” I see the Matshipiri male lion as an over grown cub being an adult. (It just makes the senses wonder amidst seeing it’s bravery out in the wild). Call me weird, but if it weren’t for the lion’s true “ferociousness,” I see this big cat who I wish I could hug. – How he makes himself known, and how he is heard, IS heart felt. To think what he sends out to the Universe by way of his “Communication,” is so unique and super powerful. By thought, it touches the heart strings of the soul.
Autumn is always beautiful with mists and colorful sunsets!! Thank you for sharing!! Victoria
Fall in Londolozi is also a pleasant change from the intense summer temperatures and a great time of year to visit, if you like cool, misty mornings that lead into warm afternoons. Foliage is still lush, migratory birds are still around and it’s the rutting season for the impalas, so if you can’t travel in the winter months, think about spring- I did and it was fantastic. Perhaps next visit will be in the summer.
Winter in the bush have so many magical moments, well captured.
Robert, Thanks for the lovely reminder of the season changes. We know you are going to love the winter season even though the temperatures can be pretty cold first thing in the morning!
Enjoy this beautiful change of season Robert!! We are experiencing the opposite here in California!!!