“It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.”
Sir David Attenborough
Being amongst wildlife and immersing yourself in nature has a magical way of uplifting, healing and exciting you. It has certainly done just that for me over the week. My selection of images for this week has reaffirmed just how lucky I am to live and work in the environment that I do. For this I am extremely grateful.
Hopefully this week’s TWIP fills you with warmth, excitement and a source of visual beauty that certainly makes life worth living.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
The Nkoveni female with one of her young cubs. After a long hiatus, this leopard seems to be reclaiming territory on Londolozi, territory she previously ceded to her daughter the Plaque Rock female, and she is bringing her latest litter with her.
An immature Brown Snake Eagle scans the surrounds below as the full moon slowly descends in the background.
The Senegal Bush male focuses on a herd of impala which he ended up attempting to hunt, but he was unsuccessful.
Probably… actually, the most beautiful scene I’ve witnessed on a morning in my time here. This unbelievable misty morning created a contrast to most impressive sun rise.
Slightly behind their mother, the Nkoveni female’s cubs try catch up as one of them looks at a waterbuck in the distance.
A splash of sand to help regulate body temperatures as the day’s heat begun to settle in.
The Othawa male creates a feeling of eeriness and power with an upright stance as he stares ahead in back lit light.
A male Southern Red-billed Hornbill perched on a dead log catching the last of the day’s sun.
A young giraffe stares at our vehicle as the sun slowly peeks over the eastern koppies ahead.
After being robbed by a clan of twelve hyenas, the Nkuwa female watches as they finish off the remains of her kill.
We sat with Hyenas feeding on scraps of an impala ram, but it was the skies that got our attention as a tawny eagle circled above us.
An image that gets everybody excited; fresh tracks crossing the Sand River.
One of Africa’s most common bee-eaters at an estimated population of 60-86 million birds, yet every time one sees them, one can’t help but stop and admire their beauty.
The Mashaba female and Senegal Bush male mating. The Mashaba female has been seen courting a number of the territorial males in and around her territory so we are hopeful she delivers a litter soon.
A small dazzle of zebras in the south-western grasslands.
This image excites me as it was the first time in almost a year that I have seen the Tsalala pride. Seeing the bond between the Tsalala lioness and her now sub-adult offspring was wonderful to witness.
Silhouetted against the red and orange hues, an elephant slowly moves across a crest feeding as night approaches.
I’m thankful every time I get to see these animals in the wild. Here a bull scans his surrounds before he moved into the pan to cool off.
Most evening drives home can easily be made by seeing an owl. This particular Verreaux’s Eagle-owl was very relaxed as it allowed us to view it from only a few meters away.
A Giraffe takes time to drink as its body reflects perfectly against the stillness of the water.
The week of lionesses climbing trees. It has been an exciting seven days at Londolozi with fascinating behaviour as the Ntsevu females seem to be enjoying stealing kills from leopards by climbing trees. No complaints from those who have been witnessing it.
The Ximungwe female provides an iconic photo as she crosses the airstrip. We spent most of our morning following her; she led us in many different directions but it was all worth it when we got to capture this image and ultimately she was leading us to where she was keeping her cub.
Every time a lion roars and we are able to track and find it, it’s an incredible experience but finding the Othawa male is a bonus find, so magnificent is he. We are seeing this male more and more as he pushes further east into the central parts of Londolozi and recently, even further…
Dean, I loved leopard🤗, lions 🤗, I loved rhino
I think you succeeded in showing why you are so lucky to live and work at Londolozi! loved all the pictures and especially the variety of animals, birds and the magnificent sunrise. thank you Victori
Dean, I really enjoyed TWIP. The images captured are beautiful.
Yeah it’s big cat day! These pictures surpass many. I can’t stop looking at the cubs and the magnificent adults… wonderful atmosphere and colours. Do lionesses behave more like leopards? Maybe leopards will behave a bit like lions in the future? So happy to see rare gorgeous adult males lions leopards rhino and elephant!
Dean, what an awesome set of images this week! We added some to our favorites. We are happy that our Mashaba is active again, and always hope for her to have a successful litter! The image of Ximungwe crossing the airstrip is cool. It would be fun to superimpose her over the famous Beatles walk photo in London! The giraffe and its reflection is a classic. All in all a great ‘best of ‘set of images. Congrats!
WOW, lovely TWIP again.
Wow! What a great TWIP! Love all the photos and your enthusiasm! The lioness in the tree is beautiful and exciting, but of course, that sight makes me worry for all the beautiful leopards! Thanks for a terrific TWIP, Dean!
Darlene, I totally agree! The first thing I thought was – those poor leopards!!
Incredible image of the Ntsevu female poised in the tree!
Is the Tsalala pride more visible than previously?
Striking photo of the owl! Thanks.
Great set of pics Dean, so great to see Nkoveni’s cub
Awesome photos Dean!!! Hopefully you can show us all this when our family returns in 2023!
Dean, this week’s photos are spectacular. So many wonderful creatures to see. And your photography skills are just amazing! Thank you again for sharing… and yes… I would have to pinch myself everyday!!!
Love the photos this week which convey the sense of beauty and wonder you spoke of. The sunrise, snake eagle and Nkuwa leopard are special favorites. And of course the Othawa lion. What a majestic looking lion!
Such great photos, Dean. Every single one is just wonderful. Thanks
Dean all your foto’s are absolutely stunning. Othawa lion is such a majestic male lion and he earns respect from all around. Loved the leopard foto’s and so excited that Mashaba female and Senegal bush male are mating. That means more cubs for us to see. You are so privileged to live and work in Londolozi, such a paradise of animals and birds. Lovely foto of the Ntsevu lioness in the tree. Gorgeous foto of the Ximungwe female crossing the airstrip. Loved the owl as well, we have the spotted eagle owl pair here behind our house. The Tsalala lioness looks as if she is smiling, good to see them again. Gorgeous foto of the Nkoveni females cubs, so cute. STUNNING FOTO’S DEAN.
I especially love the elephant having a dust bath and walking in the sunset. Magical.
Thanks Dean for an amazing TWIP, impossible to pick a favourite. Love your sunrise and sunset photos, and lovely to see Nkuwa, haven’t seen or heard anything of her (or Finfoot) for ages. Yes, you are very lucky and that includes seeing the eagle-owl so close up. I’ve only seen 1 owl during my 10 visits (a little spotted ) – hopefully if I can make it back in August I might increase this!
Wow!!!! You have certainly outdone yourself for TWIP! Probably my most favourite thus far! Oh I’d give anything to be there in the bush too, soaking up every second of its magic and beauty. Absolutely loved the hornbill, the Nkoveni female and her cub, the exquisite sunset, the giraffe drinking by the water – and that adorable pose by a Tsalala lioness is just priceless! The bee-eater is beautiful too. Thanks for spoiling us this week. Just wish I could be there to experience it in person! Fingers crossed, one day soon!
Well Dean, you’ve surpassed your last TWIP. There is no “best photo” – all are wonderful in their own way. As far as including the image of one of the Ntsevu lionesses in the tree, I know this is a common occurrence in Eastern Africa, Kenya/Tanzania but I don’t believe they ascend to steal a kill, but to keep cool and away from from the annoying flies. I hope this is an anomaly and not going to be a regular occurrence. It’s difficult enough for a leopard to make a kill and keep it away from the hyenas. Thanks for another pictorial/informative week!
Even by the very high standards go TWIP these are crackers
What a week you’ve had Dean!
First, you’re ability to capture the Othawa male as you did,.. He is Magnificent! You can literally see his “lifetime” within his facial profile.
Next, It goes without saying, regarding the Ntsevu and Tsalala Lionesses. They are the “Pride and Joy” of the territory.
All the while, the Knoveni cubs are precious! I don’t know why, but both the mom and the cubs paws stand out! They’re huge! They look “prepared for their life travels.”
The rest of the compilation of pictures for the week present how your cup was filled up, brimming with once in a lifetime memories for you to never forget, as your “blessed energy” can be felt.
Thank you for sharing your heart filled passion through the deliverance of your generosity!
Stunningly beautiful images each and everyone.
Reading this now after hearing of Ottawa’s death….makes it especially poignant and tragic. He was a magnificent lion…..
It’s been a busy week for me, but not quite as magnificent as yours Dean…consequently I’m just catching up. Outstanding photographs Dean !!!!! 💗The one that stands out will definitely be the Othawa lion after the tragic news of his death…. this shot will be forever remembered for the magnificent, bold lion he was. 😥💗🙏🏻
Fabulous and richly varied array of images in TWIP Dean! To many favs to mention, but all brilliant!!