Over the course of the last week, my guests Breck and Patsy Weingart and I had great opportunities to capture an array of different subjects, both big and small. Spending a week together we had the value of time to focus on the smaller more different things on a game drive. Fortunately for us, the light at this time of year is great for photography, the light is softer, shadows are not as contrasting and of course the golden light lasts forever. After finalizing our game plan for the drives and the creative juices flowing we set off into the wilderness, cameras at the ready. This week’s TWIP highlights some of my favorite moments from the last week.
Without further ado, enjoy This Week in Pictures…
One of the Birmingham Males fixated on an impala in the distance. With the afternoons being very pleasant and not too warm it was amazing to see this male moving around while it was still light.
Zebra are seeming to congregate in large dazzles at the moment as food resources are more condensed with the grasses drying up. Grouping around the fresher greener grass that remains.
A lone wildebeest male stands proud over his domain. Often you can see male wildebeest alone in the open clearings. He has chosen what he believes to be the best patch of land based on its resources in the hopes that it will attract herds and females into it. Whom he will then try and persuade to remain there with him.
After an intense morning of hunting, this pack of African wild dogs found their way down to the Sand River for a refreshing drink. We were unable to get our vehicle any closer and so were forced to watch them from a distance and appreciate the spectacular setting around the wild dogs.
The northern part of Londolozi is divided in two by a thin line of rocky outcrops and open crests. These rocky outcrops are the perfect homes for klipspringers. Klipspringers are small antelope that spend almost all their time on one rocky outcrop such as this and are specially adapted to moving around on steep and slippery terrain.
A male hippo watches us closely as we pass by a deep pool in the Sand River. Now that we are going into the dry season there is going to be a lot more competition amongst the male hippos for space in the river. This bull will have to work hard to keep possession of this prime section of the river.
A bit of a different view of a familiar favourite animal of ours at Londolozi. Even though this leopard was facing away from us, I still liked how the last rays of the sun caught the white tip of the tail.
Our first glimpse of one of the Ndzanzeni Female’s two young cubs as it stared out through the thick foliage. We have high hopes for the two cubs, one being male and the other female.
An impala ram stands tall as it attempts to get a better look at the lioness on the far side of the clearing. When impalas see a predator on the move they will let off a series of short, sharp snorts and keep their eyes fixed on the predator in order to let the predator know that it has lost its element of surprise, this too alerts any other animal in the area of the presence of danger.
I found this photograph of this female warthog quite amusing. Although it looks as if she is smiling at the camera, this photogenic warthog was really just nibbling away at the small shrub in front of her. The warthog’s open mouth provides us with a good view of the sharp tusks on her bottom jaw which are capable of inflicting serious damage to any would-be attackers.
After our initial view of the Ndzanzeni Female’s cubs, we were treated to all sorts of antics from the two youngsters.
Spot the tree agama. This well-camouflaged reptile is a Southern tree agama. I was astonished at how difficult it was to see it against the gnarled bark of the leadwood tree. From a distance, it would be impossible to see unless it moved.
Guinea fowl butterflies are aptly named after the Guinea fowl bird with whom they share the same black and white spotty resemblance. Often difficult to capture as they are very alert butterflies, taking flight at the slightest disturbance.
Having searched long and hard for the Flat Rock male, in particular, we were eventually rewarded as he walked straight down the road and past our vehicle. A perfect beam of golden sunlight illuminating the leopard while the rest of the image is in shadows.
A pair of vervet monkeys survey their surroundings from the fork of a tall Marula tree. The lower and younger monkey was fixated on the vehicle for a while.
A large herd of elephants walks past Alfies vehicle on their way down to a large water hole for an afternoon drink.
A close-up of an eye of a lioness from the Ntsevu pride.
Great photos, Nick. Like the one with the wild dogs on the sandbanks especially.
Thanks, it’s one of my favourites too!
TWIP one of the best bits of the week, from a dreary , wet and fed up UK a reminder there is a vibrant , colourful world out there
So many gorgeous pictures… thank you again for another interesting article
Lovely TWIP, Nick. The 2 sightings I’m most excited by are the Ndzanzeni cubs (at last – some photos of them!) and 2ndly – Alfie! Please say hello from me and hope he’s well. Are all the rangers back at Londo now? – hopefully the guests are gradually returning and can’t wait to join them once we’re allowed!
Hello Suzanne, I will certainly send your regards to Alfie. yes, everyone is back at the lodge and it is business as usual.
Beautiful photos! Nice summary of the week in pictures! 👍👍👍
Nick, Wow, what a great set of images! We added a few to our favorites! The images of the monkeys and the wild dogs are really special, and the lioness close-up and lizard against the leadwood tree are pretty amazing! Thanks as always!
Hi Nick this week the photos are more spectacular than ever! I love all, especially the butterfly the lone klipspringer that looks frail but on the top of the world and the animals in water, the old lion more powerful than ever and the eye od the lioness; the leopard’s tail the proud wildebeest and impala ram. But none can be like leopard cubs.. they are so expressive wonderful adorable
Thanks! I loved the leopard cubs as well
Nick, loved leopards🤗
Nick, leopard🤗
Interesting photo of the tusks in the warthog’s lower jaw.
Yet another fabulous group of photos Nick 💕 Love the coloring on the old Birmingham male and the exquisite setting with the Wild dogs most of all. ‼️🙏🏻
Outstanding foto’s Nick this week, thank you. That tree agama blends so well on the leadwood tree. Loved the leopard cubs, so precious and full of inquisitive ideas. Beautiful elephants and calf. My favourite leopard the Flat rock male, so majestic. Warthog face expression very impressive. Oh that eye of the lioness, quite scarry, but in the same time astounding.
Stunning images each and every one. Particularly loved the leopard cubs, such elusive animals. Also the lions eye in close up is just amazing, the Impala and Klipspringer images as well. Most interesting and informative, thank you so much.
Now that’s what you call a collection of real life captures sharing a fun filled and exciting Safari!
Nice you and your guests enjoyed a great week of viewing!
Hello Nick, Fantastique pictures! I especially liked the one with the wild dogs! But there were many artistic masterpices there! Thank you for sharing!
You were able to capture a variety of animals in your area. The cutest is the adorable leopard cub. My personal favorite are two, the eye of the lioness and the lion.
Absolutely beautiful pics this week!!! Love the wildebeest, the leopard cub and the monkeys in particular. So great!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I appreciate the variety of animals featured this week. It’s a great reminder there’s so much more to Londolozi than leopards and lions (not that I’m complaining – who doesn’t love the big cats?). As someone who lives in a part of the world where the most exotic animal is the equivalent of an impala (so not very exciting) I always enjoy the less familiar critters.
Hi Chelsea, I agree – it is great to appreciate all of the different animals that one can find in the bush!
Thanks so much Nick for these just gorgeous pics of the week…..enjoyed everyone of them….each one is special….
Not fair! Too many good ones (I had to add so many to my favorites!)! I especially loved the head on shots of the sometimes under appreciated critters – like zebra and warthog, young monkey and hippo – and the lioness eye.
Beautiful…..love seeing the cubbies and Flat Rock doing his patrol!
Beautiful photos. Loved the colors in the hippo pic. Nice composition of the vervet monkey photo. And the curious leopard cub photos are also quite special!
what a wonderfully diverse collection of all that is wonderful about Londolozi! From lion Cubs to hippos and what
a great pack of wild dogs! Thank you. Victoria
A wonderfully diverse week of photos Nick. Keep them coming!!