Within this week’s selection, we have a stunning collection of scenes portraying the hive of activity that summer brings. And it is through zooming right in on the subject or taking a step back and zooming out to appreciate the entire scene that we get the most value here.
A common thread is wide blue skies and lush green vegetation, adding the perfect saturation to each shot. From lone bull elephants to large herds moving through feeding, elephants always provide great photographic opportunities. Timed right it is easy to capture them in the act of doing something entertaining.
The Ndzhenga Males feature again as one of them spends some time with a Ntsevu Female as they begin to mate. These males appear to have firmly settled into their new territory, which makes me begin to think whether there are any new males moving into our south to occupy the Ndzhenga Males’ old territory.
Summertime and leopards can be a photographer’s dream but also their nightmare. It may be slightly more difficult to capture a clean shot without any vegetation in the way, but when you do, the contrasting greenery against the golden rosette coat of a leopard is truly stunning. And that is before we even get on to the simple fact of how playful young leopards can be. Specifically, the Nkoveni Female’s two daughters. They have provided such great sightings in the recent weeks as they often are found chasing each other around in the morning.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
As the morning light breaks across Londolozi this Ndzenga Male, in the company of a Ntsevu Lioness, takes note of a shrieking Natal Spurfowl flying by.
In the hopes of seeing these two lions mate, this Ndzenga Male stands over a Ntsevu Lioness. Snarling his lip in what is known as a flehmen grimace, he analyses the female’s urine with the organ of Jacobson in the palate of his mouth in order to determine the reproductive status of the female.
Late afternoons are always a good time to venture down to a waterhole as there is bound to be an animal of sorts coming for a drink. In this instance, there was an elephant bull who instead moved his way around the edge of the waterhole feeding on all the lush soft vegetation that is growing on the water’s edge. He paused for a second, framed by this dead leadwood tree with a wide-open blue sky.
The short fresh green grass along the airstrip is the perfect grazing for this individual.
Roosting in a tree alongside a large waterhole, this Fish Eagle keeps an eye out for any fish lurking in the surface waters. The stunning contrast of its plumage is accentuated by the bright blue sky behind.
Having provided phenomenal viewing in the last few months this sighting was no different. The two playful Nkoveni Young Females chase one another around a small waterhole, keeping themselves entertained while their mother was away hunting.
Exhausted after a bout of playing one youngster rests on the edge of the waterhole.
A gorgeous female who is found to the east of camp. Easily recognised by her 2:2 spot pattern she is often to be found in Marula trees.
Hippo bulls will often fight for dominance and the rights to a waterhole, this is essential for their survival and success in passing on their genes. As the sun was rising an older hippo tussled gently with a younger one, teaching each other a trick or two.
Climbing up onto a low branch of a dead knobthorn tree next to the waterhole, one of the Nkoveni young Females rests comfortably.
After a bit of drizzle one morning the Xinzele Female climbs a marula tree in order to rest for a while.
A small female often found in NW Marthly. Similar spot pattern to her mother the Ingrid Dam Female.
A mother and her calf roam back and forth grazing on the green grass.
A dead tree provided the perfect playground for the Nkoveni Young Females, as they chase each other around the branches.
A herd of elephants, spends time roaming through the open areas along the edge of the airstrip, allowing for the wider scene to be captured, with the blue skies and white fluffy clouds.
A single scene can be seen in many different ways through photography. Depending on how much you zoom in or how you decide to edit the image.
As she repositions, a black and white version of the image with the clouds in the background worked quite nicely.
Great pics! Love the intense color and the flowing beauty of the resting Nkoveni female 🐆…
Thank you, Marcia. It was such a stunning scene with her draped over the branch like that and the lush green background.
Sean, Fantastic images this week! We loved the Nkoveni Young Females in the tangled dead tree – how fun! The Xinzele Female portrait is great and we hope to “meet” her on our next visit!
Thank you so much, Michael and Terri. There were some stunning pics this week. Hopefully, you get to see the Xinzele Female on your next visit.
Hi Sean… I finally cam see your pictures! Gorgeous, fabulous pictures of the Nkoveni trio and the Xinzele female. They are a real reward after trying to sort out how to see them! Beautiful and very interesting pictures of lions in their changing dynamics, happy elephants and impressive fighting hyppos. I wonder why they aren’t among the “big”… six! Imposing rhino. Just lovely animals in a healthy and luxurious environment.
Thank you so much, Francesca.
Thank you Sean! So many great photos this week. In particular, Chris’s photo of the Xinzele Female in a marula tree was amazing.
Thank you, Barbara. That pic of Chris’s is a stunning shot.
Love all the pics, leopard photos are always amazing but I think my fav is the fish eagle with the prefect blue sky in the background!
Gosh Sean the summer light and colors are just fabulous and certainly bring so much depth to the stunning photos this week. The Hippos and fish eagle in particular. Superb shots of the Nkoveni females and the Xinzele female 💕. Thank you as always to you and the team 🙏🏻
Thank you so much, Cally. There were some great images portraying the beauty of summer.
Sean, As I gaze at the rhinos caked in mud, I can’t help wondering if early humans may have done the same thing to keep flies, ticks and other bugs off of us, even though we had prehensile thumbs to help ourselves. Maybe we learned it from the other animals, too.
Also, those bright blue skies make me want to come back and see what it’s like at Londolozi when the sun shines and it’s warm. These pictures brighten my day, even though I’m in southern California!
I am pretty sure that early humans must have done something similar. I guess their hair would have protected them to some degree but a little mud bath would also be hugely beneficial.
It would be great for you to return and enjoy the warm bright summers days at Londolozi.