This week we have had an amazing spectacle of large herds of elephants and leopard sightings that photographically have been up there with the best. The dry season has seen the remnants of the last rains dry up to a collage of cracked mud. Meaning the only truly reliable source of fresh water is the Sand River. Drawing animals in from all over to quench their thirsts, elephants in particular.
Although we were spoilt for choice this week, our picks were dominated by a few of the regulars, and with this, the Ximungwe Female and her cub’s presence features quite heavily alongside a number of great elephant photos. Others such as the Picadilly Female and her cub, a Mhangeni Lioness, a Serrated Hinged Terrapin, and a stunning image of an African Green Pigeon help showcase the remnants of the golden winter light.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures.
Managing to find the Ximungwe Female not too far from where we left her in the morning, this time with her cub in tow. The two treated us to a marvelous scene by climbing up this dead leadwood tree, using it as a vantage point from which to scan the surroundings.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
Such an incredible contrast between the dark muddy banks of this water hole and the lime green of this African Green Pigeon’s back. Let’s not ignore the stunning reflection too.
Walking into the water to quench her thirst, the moody skies behind her. There is something special about the combination of elephants and water.
A large rhino bull perfectly lit up by the late afternoon golden light.
Just before descending the dead leadwood, the Ximungwe Female yawned. A lot of rangers wish to see a leopard draped over the branches of a dead leadwood tree. There is something special about the leopard’s rosettes against the textures of the leadwood with a plain white background.
It was only after pulling this photo up on my laptop screen that I noticed the fork-tailed drongo flying behind this large elephant bull. The two species are often found together, and exhibit what is known as a commensalistic relationship, whereby the drongo benefits from the elephant by catching insects that are kicked up from the grass through which it walks, and the elephant remains unaffected.
A fantastic view of the Piccadilly Female and her cub perched upon a large granite boulder. Gaining a nice vantage point from here, they were probably also using it to warm up on a cold winter’s morning. As we move forward we expect to see less of the two together, making this affectionate moment between mother and daughter that much more special.
Golden-coated of Sunsetbend lineage, this female is gradually expanding her presence south of the Sand River into Londolozi.
Relatively shy when out of the water the Serrated Hinged Terrapin has a mechanism in which it is able to tuck its, head and forelimbs inside the shell while closing a “trap-door” in the front. The Plastron/ lower part of the shell has a hinge with which it is then able to fold up the front part to hide away from danger. The rear is protected by a musk gland that releases a foul-smelling substance.
We have recently been lucky enough to enjoy fantastic viewing of the Mhangeni Pride, who seem to be spending more time on the Eastern part of their territory, potentially due to the lack of the Othawa Male’s presence. In this case, a herd of elephants moved through the area in which they were resting in the early afternoon, fast-tracking their movements for the evening.
A young male tagging along the tail-end of a decent size herd stops to have his drink of water a bit further away from the rest.
The Ximungwe Female found the perfect spot to rest on these boulders in order to catch the very last few afternoon sunrays.
Although not even half a foot deep, watching this tiny elephant cross the river was entertaining as it runs through the water to catch up to its mother, who slowly ambled through in front.
The Ximungwe Female takes a moment to rest after a busy morning entertaining her cub.
This was the sight that greeted us as we rounded a corner, shortly after sunrise on Tuesday morning.
There can’t be many things cuter than a baby rhino! This calf, probably around a month or two of age, was trotting in front of its mother through the long grass which made taking a photo of it pretty difficult, the grass was literally taller than the little rhino.
The Ximungwe Female and her cub have kept us quite entertained over the last few days. On this particular morning, we watched them wrestle and play with each other for well over an hour until eventually, I think the mother had had enough and climbed onto this fallen dead leadwood.
Two White-backed Vultures descending onto a carcass to feed.
Brilliant photos – a wonderful varied contrast
Thanks, Dad.
Wow Sean, what a great set of images! We love the way you are getting creative with the B&W photos and also washing out the background. Nice editing! The Rhino in the golden light is a keeper!
Hi Michael and Terri, thank you, I feel that photography is a great way to get in touch with one’s creative side and try a few different things. I have always loved monochrome images and now are managing to find some great opportunities to try it.
Once again, stunning pictures capturing the leopards and elephants. TWIP is always showing something new and unique and this one is no exception. The African Green Pigeon picture is superb . Thanks for my virtual safari this week.
Thank you, William. It was a great week with some amazing photos. I am grateful that we could share them with everyone.
Thanks for the wonderful photos!
Thank you, Christa.
Terrific TWIP! I especially loved the baby rhino photo and the Piccadilly female and her cub on the rock! Thanks for another great week of photos!
Thank you, Darlene. It was indeed a great week.
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Wow, so nice shots, happy to see the lepards
Thank you, Jutta, I hope you are keeping well.
Not really one of the big 5 but I loved seeing the African Green Pidgeon. So many colorful birds in Africa get ignored. Bee eaters are my favorite along with Sunbirds
The African Green Pigeon is a stunning bird, Bee-eaters too, and of course we cannot forget the Sunbirds. All of them are gorgeous.
Wow -pictures today! Leopards in all poses real top models, and the cubs! Too cute. Also elephant and rhino calves with mums and how relieving is to see big leopard, lions, rhino and elephant bulls with their spectacular horns and teeth. Did the gorgeous Othawa male leave offspring? The picture of the Ximungwe female in the late golden light is a poem.
We believe the Othawa Male did have cubs but sadly the last remaining two are with the Mhangeni Pride that we know of. If they are able to survive then at least his genes will be passed on.
Leopard in a tree? Check that bucket list sighting! Gorgeous!
Yes, we can check that one off the list.
Thanks Sean! Baby ellies en rhino are always the cutest………………..
They are always the cutest, especially the baby elephant crossing the river.
Sean this is a cracking week of foto’s, full of beautiful animals and birds. Loved the Ximungwe female and her cub and also the Piccadilly female and her cub. Baby rhino to sweet for words. The two pics of Ximungwe female with the sun behind her is stunning. African green pigeon has such beautiful colors. Little elephant to gorgeous following it’s mom.
Thank you so much, Valmai.
Sounds like you had a wonderful week in pictures, thank you for all the wonderful! wish I was there! Thankyou! Victoria
Thank you, Victoria. It was a great week.
Beautiful pics! Absolutely love the African Green Pigeon – just stunning and of course the elephants. Amazing.
Thank you so much, Carly. I am glad you enjoyed them this week.
How fortunate to have spent so much time with the Ximungwe female and her cub lately. Seems the cub has become totally habituated to the vehicles, unlike the Piccadilly cub who originally was very skittish. Always fun to watch herds of elephants, especially the little ones and that rhino baby! Wonderful group of photos this week by you, Chris, Robert, and Kyle. Thank you!
Hello Denise, yes the cub is now very relaxed around the vehicles making viewing the two exceptional. The Picadilly Female’s cub is still skittish but is also getting better. We are starting to see the two of them more and more on Londolozi. We hope that this will help the cub relax further.
Fantastic selection, Sean – it’s not just your dad who thinks so! If I had to pick just 2 favourites, they would be the Piccadilly female and her cub, and Chris’ photo of the African green pigeon – who knew pigeons could be so beautiful!
Thank you so much, Suzanne. I am so happy you also agree. African Green Pigeons are stunning.
Cracking photos
Thanks, Ian.
Superb photos Sean ! So difficult to pick a winner amongst the leopard s they are all fab! Stunning Shot of the African Green Pigeon, the Rhino, and the Eli’s. Thanks to you and the team 🙏❤️
Thank you, Cally.
I have never seen a Serrated Terrapin up close and personal, Sean. Very interesting. Didn’t know they could pull up a hinged Plastron in the front. I must remember never to take a close up of a Serrated Terrapin from the back!! Loved the baby Rhino. Very cute. They always are! Took the lovely Green Pigeon to use as a Screensaver. Really lovely. And the reflection is beautiful too! Thanks, Sean! Wendy M
Hi Wendy, they are fascinating-looking creatures, terrapins, and certainly do not want to touch them, during my training course we convinced one of the other trainees Bruce, to try and catch one, which he did. His hands smelt for three days no matter how hard he tried to wash them.
I am so glad you enjoyed all the pictures this week.
A really nice collection of wildlife Sean and the pics are really great. Nice to see some of the black and white ones also. Can’t pick a favourite. All good. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much, Leonie, it was a great selection this week.
Fantastic Elephant & Leopard photos!!