Within this week’s photographic selection we have an abundance of the larger predators all portrayed in stunning light. From eventually finding the Senegal Bush Male and Nkuwa Female in the Sand River mating, to the Senegal Bush Male and Maxim’s Male having a territorial dispute, or the Plains Camp Males and Nkuhuma lionesses and cubs feeding on a waterbuck kill in the amazing morning light.
Or the Mhangeni Lioness that is spending time with the Tsalala Lioness being lit up by a spotlight and we get the chance to get a gorgeous backlit shot.
A couple different birds feature with the highlight being on a close-up shot of a Red-breasted Swallow coming to collect some mud in order to build its nest. Or a stunning Bateleur.
Let us know your favourite image in the comments section below.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
Wildebeest
The Mhangeni Lioness that has been spending time with the Tsalala Lioness definitely has brought this little pride into the spotlight as we cannot wait to see what unfolds for them going forward.
An adult bateleur perches in the late afternoon light.
After a long and strenuous search eventually, we found the Senegal Bush Male in the company of the Nkuwa Female deep in the Sand River.
Initially seen as a young male in 2016, this leopard only properly established territory on Londolozi in mid-2019
The fact that the two leopards were together meant that they were mating. After a little while, the Nkuwa Female tried to intitiate a bout of mating only to be met with a snarl from the Senegal Bush Male.
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.
While driving past a small mud wallow I noticed a pair of Red-breasted Swallows bending down to scoop up a beakful of mud and fly off to a termite mound about 200m away. Many swallows and Red-breasted in particular build mud nests. They craft these clumps into mud pellets that they pack tightly together to build a thick wall into a gourd-shaped nest with a long entrance tube. The nest sites are often under natural overhangs such as aardvark burrows, and excavations into termite mounds under fallen trees and river banks.
One of the Nkuhuma cubs, born to the two older mothers that are now spending time with the Plains Camp Males lifts its head before feeding on a waterbuck carcass.
One of the very impressive Plains Camp Males feasts on his share of a waterbuck kill alongside the two young cubs born to the two Nkuhuma lionesses.
A comfortably perched Vervet Monkey scans its surroundings for any danger below.
A Nkuhuma cub takes notice of a few arriving Hooded Vultures, drawn in to the presence of the exposed carcass.
While duelling it out with the Senegal Bush Male to claim this part of the territory, the Maxims Male takes a moment to rest in the shade while salivating intensely.
Fairly skittish male that is presumed to have come from the Kruger National Park.
Staring across at his rival the Maxims Male.
After an intense morning of witnessing the Senegal Bush Male and Maxims Male fighting for territory, we found the Senegal Bush Male later that afternoon lying up in long grass. His fierce, indomitable nature was heavily subdued by his discomfort from several battle wounds and irritation from the encircling flies.
Even with a few old injuries and limped walk, you cannot help but be mesmerized by his beautiful mane.
With such intent, this large breeding herd of elephants walked across the Londolozi airstrip at pace before disappearing into the combretum thickets
As usual lots of amazing images but my favorite this time is the black & white pic of the Senegal Bush Male. Thanks for sharing,Sean.
Thanks so much, Marc. It is a fantastic shot.
Nkuhuma cubs are today my favourite photos. Young as they are one can already see the forceful, no nonsense look in the eyes.
The Nkuhuma cubs are so cute but yes there is that look in their eyes.
There are some fabulous predator images this week, but I’m going with Rob’s priceless photo of the grumpy looking Maxim male, salivating profusely. I’m thinking he’s pondering what he might do if he engaged physically with the Senegal Bush male, yet these older, well-seasoned males tend to avoid conflict in fear of becoming injured. Kate’s b/w image is also quite compelling. I truly look forward to every Friday and Sunday to get my armchair safari fix. Thank you Sean!!
That is a great shot of the Maxim’s Male. I am so glad you enjoy the TWIP and Virtual Safari.
Love the red-breasted swallow photo!!
Thanks so much, Callum. It is just something a little different.
Wow, what a great TWIP! I was wondering, though, if the Nkuwa female has lost her cub given her being seen mating with the Senegal Bush male?
Another great week in photos Sean. Loved the photo of the bataleur, such a beautiful bird. Some of the commentary tugged at my heart strings! Just wondered, do the lights from the vehicle bother the animals’ night vision, do you know?
Thanks so much, Barbara. Bateleurs are magnificent birds. As far as we are aware and with all the research I have done, the spotlights do not affect a lion’s vision at night. But if you look carefully the light is actually shining on the ground near to her so it isn’t directly in her face.
I understand…thank you Sean!
Many great ones to pick from, but I think Jess Shillow’s photo of the Senegal Bush male is my pick! Beautifully done!
Thank you so much, Darlene.
Red-breasted swallow gets my vote–terrific composition! That’s a lot of work to build a nest.
Thank you so much, Vin. It is a huge amount of work to build a nest.
Thank you for the pics of the Senegal Bush Male – it’s been awhile! Love him❤️ My favorite is the B&W of him looking up! I do miss his snarl😂. All great images though…hard to chose just one!
Thank you so much, Lori. It is an incredible image of him.
It’s amazing to see a herd of elephants wandering across the airstrip, from which I flew out of Londolozi a few years ago.
It is amazing to see elephants out in the open on the airstrip.
Sean, my favorite picture this week is the Nkuhuma cub just before feeding on the waterbuck carcass. Very intense stare.
Thank you so much, William. It is a very intense stare indeed.
Such wonderful photos! Thanks!
I think, this week I like the elephants crossing the airstrip best.
However, as usual, ALL photos are just wonderful.
Thank you so much, Christa.
Too many beautiful and meaningful photos as usual making the choice sooo hard… this week I’ll pick the Nkuhuma cubs and the Senegal Bush male equally, as they epitomise youth and older age, innocence and experience, safety and a sort of defeat. Second place the wildebeest as I guess nobody would!
Thank you so much, Francesca. Those are some great choices.
Glad to know that Nkuwa is mating with Senegal Bush Male (aka Kunyuma…)….if her cubs with Hosana couldn’t survive his death, then maybe her cubs with his older brother, SBM, will…..and still pass on the incredible legacy of Karula (both males’ mother)!
Let’s hope so, Lisa. It is however great to have leopards mating on Londolozi at the moment.
Hi Sean this week my favorite foto is the Nkuhuma cub looking up while eating. Such a beautiful foto and the other foto of the other cub is also a stunning. Can not wait for Friday’s for the TWIP’S foto’s and Sundays for the video. You are doing a fantastic job Sean and we applaud you!!!
Thank you so much, Valmai. I am so glad you are enjoying the TWIPs and Virtual Safaris.
Is that a pic of one of the Plaines Camp Males, with a few older injuries and limp to his walk?
No that is one of the Ndzhenga Males.
Great selection of photos this week! Interesting that the two Nkuhuma lionesses (sisters/littermates born December 2012, the cubs belong to the “ridge-nosed lioness” while the amber-eyed female has yet to produce a litter with the Plains Camp Males; her son and two surviving daughters born under the Avocas – of originally 4 cubs – are back north in the Sabi Sands) made their way east onto Londolozi. Also love the photos of the Senegal Bush Male. He may be getting older but it is great that he is still holding territory.
Thank you so much, Michael. Yes, it is interesting that they have some east on Londolozi.
Some super piccies , loved the lion cubs and the snarling leopard 🐆
The contrast between the sweet, innocent face of the lion cub framed by the rawness of the dead kudu carcass did it for me this week.
The Senegal Bush Male is starting to look especially tattered as time passes, although no doubt he’s still an impressive leopard.
Also enjoyed the monkey. 🐒
It was rather contrasting to have the cute young cubs and then a dead carcass nearby.
So many great shots, but that b/w of the Senegal Bush Male is iconic!!!
Thank you so much, Paul.