This week has seen a cold front sweep across the Lowveld, cooling temperatures and gracing the land with a blanket of moisture from which we can already see the greenery dominate. However, with the cloud cover comes an opportunity to capture images with a much flatter contrast, the highlights and shadows are not as emphasized. Of course, when the sun finally peaks out we are thrilled.
The wildlife seems to thoroughly enjoy this cooler weather and has been seen moving later into the morning, getting going earlier in the afternoons and resting out in the open when they do decide to take a nap. On the lion front, the Ntsevu Sub-adults have been lurking along the Sand River for the entire week and after a few good meals, they certainly do look particularly impressive. The two Ntsevu Females and two sub-adults from the Birmingham Males pop up to the east of the camp.
On the leopard front, the gorgeous Plaque Rock Female climbs into a dead knobthorn tree to gain a vantage point, sightings like this are what the rangers live for. The Ntomi Male seems to be slotting into the typical newly independent male leopard behaviour pattern of lurking around the same waterholes and not yet venturing too far afield from his mother territory. His confidence will grow and he will “move out” at some point in the near future though. The Ximungwe Female can now go back to the normal life of a female leopard and not have to worry about caring for this young male.
The Flat Rock Male is once again seen on a territorial patrol and looking impressive and the menacing Senegal Bush Male also features in a close-up.
Enjoy this week in Pictures…
Let us know your favourite image in the comments below.
The Plaque Rock Female found a perfect vantage point in a dead knobthorn tree to scan her horizons providing us with some amazing photographic opportunities.
A pretty young playful female found along the river to the east of camp
After being chased off their carcass by the Northern Avoca male and Talamati Young Male, the Ntsevu Sub-adults then wandered their ways down to the Sand River for a drink.
Before crossing their way through.
The African Fish Eagle is a striking bird of prey that has a beautiful call synonymous with the African bush
The Ntomi Male approaches a watering hole to quench his thirst.
A single cub of the Ximungwe Female's second litter. Initially rather skittish but is very relaxed now. Birth mark in his left eye.
A female buffalo turns her nose up to the vehicle.
![Flat Rock Male Standing On Bank [2] (rb)](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/01142142/Flat-Rock-Male-Standing-on-bank-2-RB-1598x1168.jpg)
The Flat Rock Male gazes in the direction of francolins that were alarm calling at something a bit further downstream in the Sand River. The threat turned out to be a pair of African Hawk Eagles.
A dominant male leopard over the majority of the north. He originally took over the 4:4 Male's territory when he died.
After a chaotic morning on the move, the pack of wild dogs eventually arrive at a waterhole.
Before settling in a small waterhole in order to cool down.
A menacing stare from the Senegal Bush Male.
Initially seen as a young male in 2016, this leopard only properly established territory on Londolozi in mid-2019
![Elephant Bull Feeding In Open Clearing [2] (rb)](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/01142026/Elephant-bull-feeding-in-open-clearing-2-RB-1178x1598.jpg)
An elephant bull pauses for a moment from feeding to look our way.
A zebra laden with oxpeckers feasts on the fresh new grass shoots emerging from an area that was recently burnt in a controlled patch burn.
Using a termite mound to stealthily approach a herd of impala at sunset.
A fairly unusual place to find a few giraffes. Being down in the soft river sand and water makes they gangly animals awfully vulnerable.
Shortly after we set off one morning we found the Ximungwe Female huddled up on a termite mound with the sun rising directly behind her.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
A large elephant bull feeds on grass and small shrubs in an open clearing with a beautiful, wide-open background behind him.
One of the two Ntsevu Lionesses currently raising the last litter of cubs sired by the Birmingham coalition on Londolozi.
These photos are so very beautiful.
Thank you so much, Babs.
The look of Senegal Bush male is very menacing… Only cats can stare one down!
I also Loved to see all the emerging colours painted in the bush!
Thank you so much, Gawie. He is a menacing cat indeed.
The photo I thoroughly enjoyed this week is the one ‘Using a termite mound to stealthily approach a herd of impala at sunset.’ I love it. Super silhouette of the leopard’s head and it’s whiskers. Well done Robert.
It is such a unique and gorgeous photo.
Wild dogs cooling off in water hole
It is always so great to see wild dogs and so having them really just relaxing and cooling off is fantastic.
Great captures!
Thank you so much, Rob.
Very intense photo of the Ntsevu Lioness makes the viewer feel she is string directly at him!
Thank you so much, Vin. It does make you feel that way.
You do make the choice difficult! 😂 i loved the first shot of the Plaque Rock female and will have to stay with that despite being tempted by the Flat Rock male and that beautiful lioness portrait at the end. Thanks to all for TWIP!
Thank you so much, Darlene. Those two shots you mention are fantastic.
Sean, tough to choose today, as you’ve selected some great photos. Gotta go with the fish eagle . . . or the Cape buffalo . . . or the waterhole filled with wild dogs . . . or!
Thank you so much, Dave. Those are some good choices.
Sean, Wow, what a fantastic set of images! Nice that the weather is giving you more opportunities to find wildlife. It’s great to hear that the lions are starting to find their place… There are so many great shots – our favorite though is Robert’s Flat Rock Male as he gazed in the direction of the francolins. The balance in that image is perfect!
Thank you so much, Michael and Terri. The wildlife has been amazing.
It is always difficult to choose a favorite from the many superb images taken and shared, however this week my favorite has to be the wild dogs in the mud, a rare treat indeed.
Thank you so much, Karen. Wild dogs are a rare treat indeed.
Sean, wonderful pictures of the leopards, lions, elephants , etc. The stunning picture of the Ntsevu lionesss is a fantastic close up. But, my favorite is the African fish eagle. I guess I am partial to birds right now as they don’t always get the proper attention by most people. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, William. The Fish Eagle is great.
Hi Sean, so hard to choose one favorite foto this week. I think I am going to choose the fish eagle this week. So impressive and I love to hear their call. Loved all the foto’s so beautiful and with the cooler weather I am sure the animals really enjoyed the cooler weather.
Thank you so much, Valmai. The Fish Eagle is stunning.
Stunning pictures in this weeks TWIP, thank you everyone. Favourite this week is Barry’s beautiful picture of the Plaque Rock female in the dead knobthorn.
Thank you so much, Jane. I agree with your choice of Barry’s image.
I find Barry’s opening photo of the Plaque Rock female sets the tone for this week’s terrific images, and consequently my favorite. There’s a nice balance of predator and prey. Thanks for this collection!
Thank you so much, Denise. It is such a gorgeous shot by Barry.
Thanks for all the lovely photos
Thank you so much, Christa.
Always extraordinary shots from all but Barry’s Plaque Rock female in the dead knobthorn tree takes it hands down for me this week! WOW! Robert’s bull is pretty impressive as well.
Thank you so much, Anita. Barry’s shot is fantastic.
Wonderful photos! Thank you.
Thank you so much, Brian.
I love the expression on the buffalo cow’s face. Her raised eyebrows make her look slightly surprised, and if she were a cartoon, she’d be about to scold you for surprising her. 😂
The buffalo cow does look as though she is raising her eyebrows and maybe eye a bit of mascara.
So many gorgeous images as always, but I have to vote for Barry’s fabulous one of Plaque Rock – what a pose!
Thank you so much, Suzanne. It is such a gorgeous picture of the Plaque Rock Female.
What a lovely week. I think my favourite was the Ximunge female leopard in the sunrise…. she just looks so peaceful. Also the Plaque rock female in the Knobthorn.
Thank you so much, Kara. The Ximungwe Female does look so peaceful in that picture at sunrise.
I clearly vote for the first image. I like the clear colors and the special esthetic that the image itransports. It appears to me like a duble portrait: The animal and the tree are like two personalities that correspond with each other in a very esthetic way. The tree has its own character with its twisted trunk and branches. The leopard is placed at the centre with the left front paw hanging casually over the branch and corresponding to the bend of the branch – perfect pose!
Thank you so much, Ulrike. It is such a stunning picture of the Plaque Rock Female in the dead tree. I agree that they are both like personalities.
A pleasure as always. Glad to see the Senegal Bush & Flat Rock males doing well. Senegal Bush indeed has a menacing stare! I do hope the Ntsevu Pride can keep the Birmingham sons well until they are old enough to move away on their own. Thanks for the wonderful photos.
Thank you so much, MJ. The Senegal Bush Male is an impressive male and that stare is definitely menacing. I hope the Ntsevu Sub-adult Males make it through. I am sure they will.
Every week you take me by surprise with incredibly stunning pictures! Yey it’s elephant bulls day, but also leopards and lions are absolutely fantastic in different environments and lights. I totally love the leopards posing really and poshly and lions in such contrasting colours especially when reflected by water. The buffalo cow perhaps is my nr one… she made me smile, seems to have a sort of sense of humour very expressive! Bravo to you all
Thank you so much, Francesca. The buffalo cow was a gorgeous one.
Some awesome images this week, Sean! My favorite is the menacing stare of the Senegal Bush male, sporting his newest war wound from the altercation with Maxim’s male. He’s an impressive-looking leopard, with black ‘eye liner’ adding to his fearsome appearance
Thank you so much, Mary Beth. The Senegal Bush Male is an impressive male.
Some of the photos prove the opportunity to have the camera 📸 looking straight into the eyes 👀 of the subject works just as well in animal photography as portrait photography in humans
I love the wild dogs in the mud but my favorite picture is the leopard in the knobthorn tree. The tail hanging down with the tree and the cloudy weather really brings the picture together.
Gosh guys, you don’t make it easy! Such stunning shots this week but the winner is definitely the Plaque Rock Female! The male lions drinking and the Fish Eagle are stunning shots too!
First of all, I love that I have seen personally 3 of the leopards featured today……but the photo of Plaque Rock is just fabulous!! Also love the silhouette of the hunting cat…….