This week has been an exhilarating one in the bush, the arrival of the Ndhzenga Males caught us all by surprise. We knew a pride and territory take-over was bound to happen but no one expected it to be upon us this soon. Are these new males going to be the ones to control Londolozi in the near future? I guess only time will tell. In the Meanwhile, they feature fairly strongly in this week’s picks, along with a number of other magnificent subjects portrayed in the most beautiful golden light.
The Three Rivers Female and her cub spend time on Londolozi as the cub grows in confidence, the viewing has been amazing. We also managed to find the Nkuwa Female in the northern parts of the reserve with a large impala ram which she had killed the evening before. Too heavy to hoist into a tree she fed on it while it was on the ground, then rests in the shade nearby.
Elephants in the rain, young elephants playing around, wild dogs and the Flat Rock Male make up the rest of this week’s selection.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
The new males make a name for themselves as they proclaim the central parts of Londolozi. The Ndhzenga Males, have given some unbelievable viewing over the last week. Long may it last.
The Three Rivers Female’s Cub pauses on a fallen tamboti tree, meanwhile, the cub’s mother had already ascended the tree ahead of it to feed on the carcass above.
Forced into early independence as her mother was killed by the Southern Avoca Males.
A Wahlberg’s Eagle sits on a dead branch, scanning the woodland below. This particular individual is known as a ‘pale morph’. Most of the Wahlberg’s Eagles are brown in colour but roughly 10% of their population are pale morphs like this one.
Impressive for their relatively young age, are these new male lions the next to assume control over Londolozi? It is a very interesting time amongst the lion dynamics at the moment and we anxiously wait to see what unfolds.
The golden morning light breaking through the dense canopy of the riverine vegetation along the Sand River illuminates the path ahead of the Flat Rock Male as he begins a territorial patrol.
A dominant male leopard over the majority of the north. He originally took over the 4:4 Male's territory when he died.
Beautifully backlit by the natural morning light.
Light is a photographer’s best friend, here it helps accentuate the textures and details of a magnificent bull.
The wild dogs have been scarce of late, with a visit only every once in a while. Here we were spoilt with an amazing sighting as the sun was setting. The whole pack got moving and spread out through the clearing.
The striking bright pink nose of the Nkuwa Female, as she rests under a large jackalberry tree.
One of two sisters born to the Nhlanguleni Female, both of whom made it to independence, the first intact litter to do so in 7 years.
One of the four Ndhzenga Males rests in an open clearing after a morning of intensity.
After causing a scene with the Northern Avoca Males, they eventually retreated, for the time being, settled in order to regather themselves before making their next move.
In South Africa, we often refer to the meteorological phenomenon where the sun shines through the rain as a “monkey’s wedding”. In this case, it seems as though the elephant was a delighted guest at the wedding.
And the little page boy delighted too. This was from a different sighting but the joyful nature of young elephants certainly ignites the inner child in everyone, stirring curiosity and happiness.
The Ximungwe Female’s Cub, now being referred to as the Ximungwe Young Male, awaits his mother’s return patiently. Whilst out hunting, female leopards will leave their youngsters to take of themselves. In this case, the young male leopard chose to use a big boulder as a safe spot to rest on while his mother was away.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
Up close and personal with one of Africa’s iconic animals.
One of the Ndzenga Male lions confidently marched into uncharted territory.
Fabulous TWIP again, Sean. Can’t wait till Monday; hopefully next week I might see some of these…..
Thank you, Suzanne. See you soon.
Great pictures this week, the Ndzenga males at 4 strong will pose quit the threat to the Birmingham males. I have a question regarding the naming of the leopards. The Ximungwe female’s previous cub, I believe, was also called the Ximungwe young male (he was/is quite the entertaining sort). Now, her current cub is being called the same name, is the first young male renamed, left the territory, or is it OK to have 2 Ximungwe young males?
Hi David, thank you for your comment. Those Ndhzenga Males are formidable, let’s hope they stick around.
The Ximungwe Female’s previous cub (born 2018) has dispersed and is now seen further north. He is now known as the Mahlahla Male.
We refer to the offspring of the leopards as cubs until they become adolescents, they are referred to as a Young Male or Young Female until the point where they become independent, this is the stage where we give them a name as a means of reference to who the individual is.
It’s big cats day… the Ndzenga males are impressive and stunning at the same time. I can’t help feeling sorry for the Birmingham though it’s nature rule. Wonderful pictures of leopard cubs and the baby elephant calf. The leopard fading to the colours of the canopy is a masterwork. Beautiful pictures of rhino and elephant but all are really great!
Thank you, Francesca. Nature is cruel but it is the way things go out here, I am sure the Birmingham Males will return for a short while but they will try avoid any confrontation.
Wow, fabulous week in pictures. Waiting to see the outcome of the inevitable clash of the lions. Thanks for TWIP!
Thanks, William. We will share the video in tomorrow’s The Week in Video.
How did a leopard cub at 12 months old survive after her mom was killed. I’m glad she did, just don’t understand how
She was forced into independence and had to hunt for herself. She would catch small prey and survive on that until she could go after larger prey.
Sean this is very interesting to see the 4 Ndhzenga male lions on Londolozi and they seem to be formidable force to be reconed with. But I do feel sorry for the Birmingham brothers, for they were the dominant males. Cute little cub from the Thrre rivers female. So many foto’s this week and they are all stunning. Good to see the Flat rock male again, the Ximungwe male cub is growing up so quickly. That little elephant is to cute for words.
It is great to see these new males coming in. Let’s see what unfolds in the next few days.
I’ve never heard of the term” monkey’s wedding” before, but I’ll have to start using it. To me it looked like snow, which would have been an unlikely, but magical sight. He new male lions are impressive. So loved the large animals who shall not be named. 😉
Yes it is a quirky term to use when the sun shines through to illuminate the falling raindrops.
Love it! Thanks again and enjoy the weekend!
Thank you, Irene. Have a lovely weekend too.
Wonderful images this week, especially ne lion brothers and, of course, the leopards. When we first saw the Three Rivers female she was still a cub, happily playing in a dead tree and in the brush with her brother, just months short of their mother’s death. So good to see her grown and now a mother herself.
Thank you so much, Mary Beth. It is amazing to have seen the Three Rivers Female all grown up now and raising a cub of her own.
Great week, great pictures!
The newcomer lions are beautiful males.
They are stunning looking male lions. Thank you, Christa.
I bet it was exciting to view the beautiful new lion coalition. What was the interaction that went on with the Northern Avoca males?
Hi Chris, it was very exciting. We are putting out the story on the lions tomorrow in our virtual safari video. So all will become clearer there.
Wow Sean, the N’dzenga males are even more formidable now. I see trouble brewing on the horizon! Thank you for a grand week in pictures!
They are impressive looking males, we will have to see what unfolds in the next few days.
If the lions had more land like triple what they have would they still kill other males? It seems there’s lots of females and some could go with each group of males, I’d like that to happen no cubs or lions being killed in takeovers
Can’t recall this much mutiple lion activity ever!
Gorgeous image of the Flat Rock Male under the canopy!
Hi Vin, it has been an intense week for the lions. But exciting nonetheless.
What an exciting week with the lion dynamics changing far faster than expected. My hat goes off to the Three Ruvers female who survived on her own to then go on to produce her cub. What a feat 🙏🏻. Stunning shots of the rhino and baby Eli. Always a pleasure on a Friday to see these stunning photos. Thanks Sean and team 💗
It has been an entertaining week for sure. The Three Rivers Female has done so well to get to where she is now.
Beautiful panoramic photos of the four Ndhzenga lions.
Thank you, Marcia. Their magnificence certainly does help with getting some amazing photos of them.
Wow stunning pics this week! Those male lions are incredibly impressive! They look the business – seriously powerful and intimidating! Beautiful pics of the leopard cubs too and I loved the pic of the rain falling on the elephants! Beautiful to see. Thanks!
Hi Carly, they are impressive males and we hope they are going to hang around for a bit longer.
Great photos! Wondering how the Birmingham’s will make out in all of this!
We are wondering too. Hopefully, they will be alright.
I like nature
So great to see Nkuwa looking beautiful and healthy! Saw her and her sister and mama and Flat Rock together in August 2019, and glad to see them all doing very well!