We can be safe to say that winter has come and gone, and the daytime temperatures begin to sore as summer is fast approaching. This has not affected the game viewing of late as the sightings have continued to impress. The diversity within this week’s TWIP highlights just how much is going on at the moment. The mother cheetah and her year-old cub are becoming a regular feature where they pop up randomly in all different parts of the reserve.
The aloes finish off flowering, and giraffes, elephants and leopards seem to make up the rest. An intense view of a crocodile makes it in as it devours an impala who unfortunately took refuge from a pack of wild dogs in the water, only to be caught by a larger reptilian predator.
Let us know your favourite image in the comments section below.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
A mother cheetah and her male cub quench their thirst early one morning. These two cheetahs had just finished off their impala kill. To see one cheetah out in the open having a drink is a rarity, seeing two is just quite incredible. We watched these two drink for almost five minutes, they then found the comfort of the shade underneath a large Marula tree.
The beautiful afternoon light strikes the Plaque Rock Female at eye level with our vehicle. After we managed to get the photographs we needed she decided to head off into the thicket line to look for food.
A pretty young playful female found along the river to the east of camp
On a cold morning, the dew that had condensed on the aloes was stunning to capture.
As the last of the aloes begin to lose their flowers a male Collared sunbird hops around from one inflorescence to the next feasting on the nectar.
After having an impala chased into a waterhole as it tries to flee a pack of wild dogs, this opportunistic crocodile rapidly grabbed hold of it and began to feed.
Finishing off the last of the impala.
The Plaque Rock female perches on a termite mound right next to our vehicle. She rested up on this mound for about twenty minutes and then positioned perfectly for us. For me, the black and white version of this photograph was the best, it adds a level of drama to the scene.
A zebra mare pauses in the golden afternoon light, giving us the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of her unique pattern and healthy main.
A squirrel sitting just outside of a cavity within a dead Leadwood tree from which it had just appeared.
The Flat Rock Male on a territorial patrol as he walks through a misty crest on a cold winter’s morning.
A dominant male leopard over the majority of the north. He originally took over the 4:4 Male's territory when he died.
This elephant bull took a liking to the upper branches of a Marula tree and made use of his long trunk to retrieve his mouthful.
A young giraffe takes an opportunity to fully relax for a few moments by curling its neck over its back while the rest of the journey continued browsing nearby.
Early one morning we found this cheetah moving through the open grasslands with her one-year-old male cub. Every now and then the mother would climb a termite mound to scan her surroundings.
A young giraffe, accompanied by a red-billed oxpecker on his forehead, enjoys the sunset.
The Three Rivers female glances backwards at the distant roars from the Ndhzenga males before continuing onwards and putting more distance between them.
Forced into early independence as her mother was killed by the Southern Avoca Males.
Elephants crossing the river is always a spectacular sight to see.
Stunning rays of light beam across teh sky well after sunset.
After we watched a small breeding herd of elephants splash themselves with mud at a nearby wallow this bull then dust bathed. The sodium-rich sand was a brilliant contrast as he covered himself with the dust.
The reward of patience and persistence when following the tracks of a leopard is finding it unperturbed in its natural habitat.
The dry winter allows us to see some more of the smaller and elusive animals such as the Side Striped Jackal.
Hard to choose. Zebra is my favorite along with the young giraffe laying down
Thanks so much, Sandra. Two great choices.
Hard to pick just one picture this week! The baby giraffe, the zebra or the croc.
This week was filled with some great imagery.
As always it is too hard to decide which photo I like best. They are all so great! This time, I think, I would chose the beautiful zebra because it looks just perfect. But, as I said, all of them are just so wonderful that I would love to be right there at Londolozi at this moment.
Thanks so much, Christa. The zebra shot is a fantastic one. If only you could be here right now, wouldn’t that be amazing.
Sean, We are excited to hear that Cheetah are becoming regular visitors! The images are all special, but our favorite is the Collared Sunbird image from you!
Indeed they are becoming regular features of our game drives. Thanks so much, Michael and Terri.
Dan’s cheetahs drinking photo is my favorite this week. 😍👍🤩
That is a great choice, Marcia.
Kudos to the newest rangers that are really beginning to develop photography skills! And to James Souchon for training them!!! BTW, this is some of your best work Kirst!
It’s another terrific week of images Sean and I only wish I could be there to enjoy the last vestiges of winter, especially the beautiful skies with their inherent birds, dew and insects. My choice for most compelling image this week is Kirst’s elephant bull taking his dust bath. I love the sense of motion and seeing the whole animal. Cheers to another great week.
Thanks so much, Denise. It would be great if you were here. Kirst’s image is a great one indeed.
Sean, the shot of the intense stare of the leopard is the one I liked best this week. I think it was taken by Nick. Thanks for sharing TWIP.
Thanks so much, William. It is such a great image as it glances up. The lighting is stunning.
Hi Sean, such stunning foto’s again in the TWIP this week. My favorite image this week is the Pmague Rock Female with the light shining at eye level. What a stunning foto Sean!!! Loved the little giraffe lying down and resting, that is also something you do not always see.
Thanks so much, Valmai. Those are some great choices, I also enjoy the image of the Plaque Rock Female.
Nick Tennick’s superb leopard photo and the croc with leg of impala …
Both would make my wall.
Glad to see the side striped jackal , quite rare in the Kruger I suspect.
But finally, wot no caracal ?
Best wishes and I always look forward to Friday and TWIP
Thanks so much, Ian. The two images you chose are fantastic ones indeed. we are beginning to see the side-striped jackal more often now. And sadly, no caracal, yet!
I was in between cheetah andthe aloe with dewdrops but when I saw the Plaque Rock Female in black and white I thought it’s number one this week! All beautiful and intense pictures anyway
Thanks so much, Francesca. The image of the Plaque Rock Female is a lovely one.
Wonderful photos! The black and white of the Plaque Rock female by Dan is particularly stunning!
Thanks so much, Holly. It is a great shot.
Some amazing captures this week. Strangely, perhaps, I was taken with the image of the croc with the impala leg in the mouth; the water so crisp and fluid, the teeth so awesome and that slice of prehistoric tail! Wow!
Thanks so much, Mary Beth. The picture of the crocodile is still a stunning shot, albeit a bit gory.
Man Sean, the light in all of these images is as remarkable as the images themselves!!
Thanks so much, Paul. There are some fantastic images and yes indeed the lighting has been exceptional.
Wow guys!! You do not make this easy for us!!! Wow, the cheetah and leopard pics this week are breathtaking!
Ok so my vote is for…ah so hard…the mum and her cub drinking at the water, followed closely by the squirrel on the tree and the cheetah gazing out – so beautiful!!!
Thanks so much, Carly. The cheetah sightings of late have been so great.
Loved the squirrel in the leadwood. Naturally framed
It is such a great shot highlighting the textures of the leadwood.
The Black and white Plaque Rock Female is stunning! Counting the days till I am back like a kid at Christmas less then 2 weeks to go!!
That is so exciting. We look forward to having you back here.
Great variety this week! I loved the sunbird, squirrel, young giraffe and was surprised to see the jackal, too. Fantastic as always.
Difficult choice as usual, but I was impressed with Nick’s capture of the intensity of the leopard!
I am away from the bushveld at the moment & i am missing the bushveld essence! I enjoy ALL your pictures & the leopards just that little extra.
Thank you so much, I am glad that you enjoy them all.
My favorite part of these photos? I have seen both Plaque Rock and Flat Rock on Londolozi myself! Glad to see that both are doing well…..in fact, I adore Flat Rock for being such a great daddy (to Nkuwa and Finfoot, back in 2019) and superb dominant male leopard.