Over the course of the last few weeks, we have had some brilliant elephant viewing, with this week being no different. A large herd of elephants filters down to one of the prominent waterholes for a drink on a cool misty morning. Being up close with them in some amazing light, while they had their fill was an experience to remember. Hearing the elephants slurping up every gulp and splashing through the water made it that much more memorable.
We then spend a short while with the three older Ntsevu subs as they play around and entertain themselves with the mother resting in the background. It has been so great having these cubs back on the reserve.
After hearing some monkeys and impalas alarm calling we managed to find the Plaque Rock Female and follow her around for a while as she moves through some thicker vegetation, intent on hunting.
Enjoy this Week in Video…
Watching elephants is always great. They are such wonderful animals. It’s amazing how the color of their skin changes in the different light of that morning.
And these lion cubs are just adorable! So cute and playful.
And for dessert, so to speak, a leopard. What a great video! Thanks.
It is always amazing watching elephants. Then to top it off, a few lion cubs followed by a leopard. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Lovely! Those lioncubs are cute!!
They certainly are.
How fantastic was that to see so many elephants drinking water together. That little one is so gorgeous and would rather drink mom milk. Ntsevu three cubs are so growing and lovely to see them playing and loving each other. Oh the Plague rock female stunning as always.
Valmai, it was amazing to see that many drinking together all so close to us.
Fabulous video. Elephants share a sense of quiet of soul… the Plaque Rock female is a beauty queen
Thank you, Francesca.
Thanks for the video! The lion cubs were really fascinating. Didn’t know leopards used dung to mask their scent.
Thanks, Paul. Yes, we see them roll around in the dung every now and then. She actually did it twice while we were with her.
Sean, Three fantastic sightings! We loved the cubs and it’s hard to keep up with all the Ntsevu cubs being born! Thanks for the special up-close experiences!
Thank you, Michael and Terri. It is even becoming difficult for us to keep track too. There seem to be so many and being moved around so much.
Well Sean, the elephant portion of your video was so pastoral, the water, the trees and low vegetation and soft lighting, but I especially enjoyed watching both mums and calves having a good drink.
Cubs are always adorable but these three were so into their wrestling match although I was surprised they made no soft growling sounds. Their cuddle at the end was especially sweet
Had I read that it’s thought the Plaque Rock female may have some cubs tucked away in a safe den? Perhaps wishful thinking. Wishing you a great week ahead, filming more special segments v
Thank you, Denise. I really enjoyed the elephant sighting. it was amazing sitting there watching them all come down and drink. The cubs wrestling was also great and they were silent the entire time.
we are not aware of the Plaque Rock Female having cubs yet, but we think that the Three Rivers Female may have cubs on our side and potentially the Xinzele Female too.
Thank you, Denise, I am sure it will be a great week ahead out here. May you also have a splendid week.
A really nice drive Sean. Please can you tell me what was at the top of a dead tree when you were with the ellies at the watering hole. I could not make it out, but sincerely hope that it was not a plastic bag. Those cubbies are really cute and it was nice to spend some time watching them. Thanks for sharing with us – enjoyed it.
Hi Leonie, that is a Red-billed Buffalo Weaver nest at the top of the dead tree. The cubs are so cute.
Thanks very much Sean. That is one huge nest for such a tiny bird. They sure put a lot of work into building it. Nature is really very interesting. Thanks again and have yourself a nice day.
It is a small bird but can often be a congregation of birds building the nests. One male will build a section containing about 5-7 chambers for different females. Then his name will build his own section and from there it grows to become a large nest. Thank you, I hope you have a lovely day too.
Super catching up on the weeks videos Sean, was that a ‘go awaybird’ calling in the background while those gorgeous Eli’s were drinking ? So couldn’t keep up with all the cubs..how many are there now and is the father of them all the Birmingham males ? Such a wonderful morning with the three cuddling up and playing together ❤️. Amazing how the leopards senses can tell, who, what their status is and the potential dominance over an area just from a gland !! Wonderful thanks Sean !
Hi Cally, thank you. Yes, it was a Grey Go-away-bird calling. I think we are even struggling to keep up with the Ntsevu Pride and their cubs. We believe that the Birmingham Males’ are most likely the fathers, although we do know that some of the females have mated with the Avoca Males.
Thanks, another great video! Absolutely loved watching the elephants and those baby lion cubs!! Thanks Sean!
Just wondering about Plaque Rock…….do I see a little bit of development in her milk pouches? Big belly? Was she seen mating in the past few months? Cubbies coming soon?