Having just passed the Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere, the days are only going to get shorter as we begin our journey towards the end of summer to welcome winter. This week’s weather has given us a taste of everything, the warmth, the wind, the coolness, and a bit of rain. All of this has caused the animals to present themselves in many different stunning sightings.
With the rain around and the moisture in the air the clouds have made for spectacular sunsets or helped in casting amazing light on to many subjects. The rain upstream has caused the Sand River levels to begin to rise. The dung beetles are hard at work and the bird life is teeming.
The Xinkhova Female has spent the last few days near the airstrip, the Three Rivers Female is seen quite far south in the reserve and the Ximungwe Female stalks a herd of impala.
On the Lion front, the Ndzhenga Males are hanging around and spending a fair amount fo time with the Ntsevu Females, of which at least two are believed to have given birth again. Hopefully, we can find these dens too.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
The Xinkhova Female uses a termite mound to get an extra height advantage as she scans for prey. The beautiful colours of the setting sun behind her had formed a perfect halo around her head.
A stunning young female with a very similar spot pattern to her mother, the Nkoveni Female. Litter still completely intact March 2022.
A large male waterbuck stands tall and rigid displaying his dominance to a nearby herd.
This time of year, being a hot summer, it is always a good idea to drive past the waterholes with there being a high chance of finding a herd of elephants drinking.
The Ximungwe Female stealthily climbs onto a fallen knobthorn tree trunk, ears flattened, gaze fixated on a herd of impalas in the distance.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
The view from atop Ximpalapala Koppie is truly spectacular and one of the best sunset spots on the reserve.
The purple and blue hues of the last bit of light after sunset makes for a stunning backdrop to this elephant bull as he roams the grasslands incessantly feeding.
The Flat Rock Male descends a termite mound with his gaze fixated on a herd of impalas in the distance.
Martial Eagles are magnificent birds, but when they take flight and spread their enormous 2.4m wingspan you get a real sense of their size.
One of the Ndzhenga Males watches a Ntsevu Lioness as she strolled away into the distance. Shortly after this he got up and followed her.
A beautifully contrasting sunset was on display a few days ago. Not a bad view to see out the day with an ice-cold gin and tonic in hand!
Three wild dogs (that are part of a pack of eight) pause to catch their breath after hunting in the Sand River.
The Three Rivers Female is expanding her territory further south, we are wondering if this is in response to pressure from the Nkoveni Female and Xinkhova Female, or if it is because there is no real pressure from the south that there is free territory up for grabs.
Forced into early independence as her mother was killed by the Southern Avoca Males.
With the warmth and abundance of moisture and insect life at the moment we seem to be seeing a number of chameleons of late. This could be males in search of females to mate with or pregnant females looking for an ideal spot to lay their eggs under ground.
This Ndzhenga Male settles down in the shade of a small tree to rest after moving around fair amount during the morning.
A herd of elephants wander through the Sand River. Water levels are unusually low in the river for this time of year. We look forward to more rain in the coming weeks.
Just before stopping for a drink at the end of the afternoon, we saw this mother and baby vervet monkey catching the last of the light before heading up the tree to rest for the evening.
The Xinkhova Female strategically sits on top of a termite mound to scan the impala herd to figure out the best route to ambush them.
A tense herd of impalas stand to attention as the Xinkhova Female emerges from the thick vegetation near the vehicle.
A sure sign that summer is well underway is the presence of the Woodland Kingfishers and their distinct call.
Who doesn’t love spending time with young elephants? Always so inquisitive and boisterous, raising its nose at us before charging off to the safety of its mother.
Late on an overcast afternoon, a dazzle of zebras ambles across the airstrip.
Lovely compilation of photos! that Waterbuck bull is impressive!
It is a very impressive male waterbuck.
Terrific combined images this week Sean. There are some beautiful leopard shots, but my vote this week goes to an artistic photo, the beautiful layering of the sunset by Chris. The dark clouds, setting sun, touch of blue sky, and the inclusion of the single tree – stunning! The panoramic crop is impressive as well. Happy holidays!
Thank you so much, Denise. The sunset that Chris captured is stunning. Have a wonderful festive season too.
Well this year won’t be festive as I just lost my 96 year old mother a couple of days ago. She’s now pain free and with my father, I’m sure, but I will have a quiet day on my own…..
So sorry to hear of your loss, condolences from all of us at Londolozi.
Thank you so much, Denise. Merry Christmas to you too.
I can’t decide between the vervets, the chameleon , and the Ndzhenga Male looking dreamily after the lioness that’s walking away! What is going through his mind! Great collection of photos team!
Thank you so much, Debra. Those are some great choices.
The Ndzhenga male resting before following the female looks to have had a lovely blowout, before pursuing his date. Nice capture, Jess.
He certainly does look as though he has.
Nice bokeh with the sun behind Xinkhova Female’s head. Again, well done, Jess.
Nice selection Sean.
Thank you so much, Ann. Jess contributed some amazing shots this week.
Love that “prowl” shot on Ximungwe Female! Nice Robert!
lovely photos as aways and may I wish all at Londolzi a Merry Christmas and above all a healthy 2023
Thank you so much, Ian. Merry Christmas to you too and all the best for 2023.
I agree on the artistic view that Chris photographed. But my favorite is Kate’s vervet monkeys. Excellent composition and a warm family portrait.
Thank you so much, Willa. It is a great image.
The waterbuck image took full advantage of some magnificent lighting!
There was some amazing lighting in the waterbuck scene.
Such amazing photos again this week. It’s nearly impossible to choose.
I love the waterbuck and Chris’ wonderful sky, but also all the leopard and lion photos, the Martial Eagle,the Impalas, the elephants, the cute mother and baby monkey, the woodland Kingfisher, the zebras on the airstrip, the wild dogs, the beautiful landscape from the Kopie, the chameleon.
Every single one is great.
Merry Christmas to everyone at Londolozi!
Thank you so much, Christa. Merry Christmas to you too.
Nick’s Martial Eagle and Kate’s mother and baby vervet pair are my favorites from this weeks photos. I’ve been out around here taking quite a few birds of prey photos recently from a variety of hawks, kestrel even a pair of great horned owls. I’ve yet to capture anything in flight with the degree of clarity in that Eagle photo!🦅 Kate’s photo wins for me because it perfectly captures a feeling of connection between the mother and baby monkey in that beautifully lit landscape. 🤩🐒❤️
Thank you so much, Marcia. The Martial Eagle in flight is a stunning shot, and is a very difficult shot to capture. The sense of connection in the monkey photo is strong.
Sean, great pictures TWIPs. Several caught my eye and are really good shots. The one I choose this weeks the Martial Eagle in flight. It is so hard to capture a bird in flight and this picture is spectacular. Thanks to Nick who took the photo.
Thank you so much, William. The Martial Eagle in flight is a fantastic shot.
The mother and baby monkey moved me the most this week, but I also loved the waterbuck and the martial eagle.
Those are some great choices.
A beautiful set of images this week, Sean. Thanks to all. I was especially captivated by the leopard shot that headed the blog, beneath the banner. But that image was not included in the range shown in the blog itself. Who is that beauty? And many happy wishes for a wonderful Christmas & New Year season!
Thank you so much, Mary Beth. It is the Flat Rock Male. The image didn’t pull through to the blog by accident. I have now included it in the main body. Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.
Oh Sean I loved that photo of the waterbuck, really a stunning foto. So many beautiful animals this week. That martial eagle is awesome and seeing that wing span is impressive. The woodland kingfisher is so colorful and his majestic call is so alarming. We have them here on the reserve as well and they are here close by my house every day.
Merry Christmas Sean to you and your family. May you be truly blessed.
Thank you, Valmai. A very Merry Christmas to you too.
Thank you so much, Valmai. The waterbuck photo is great.
Sean, we loved the title shot best but it can’t be “saved” (hearted) to our collection?
Hi Bob, I will look into this for you.
It is a great image. It should be in the main body of the blog and so you will be able to favourite it now.
Got it … thanks Sean!
You are welcome.
All pictures are superb. The waterbuck male is not often to see, fantastic photo as the big cats, the Martian Eagle in flight and the adorable elephant calf… but zebra walking across the airstrip are absolutely the top, a play of stripe, nature’s sense of humour!
Thank you so much, Francesca. There were some great pictures to choose from this week.
The waterbuck pic is my fave this week, followed by the vervet monkeys. ❤️
It is a magnificent picture of the waterbuck.
Great TWIP Sean! So many great ones to choose from, but the Waterbuck bull and the Martial Eagle take the prize for me. Happy Happy holidays!!
Thank you so much, Paul. The two you have chosen are fantastic.
You have some amazing photos this week. Whilst I am a huge fan of leopards and lions, I have to say the sunset Chris took is spectacular. I just love the colours.
To you all at Londolozi, have a wonderful Christmas and festive season and best wishes for 2023.
Thank you so much, carol. The sunset shot by Chris is amazing. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Love the waterbuck and the baby vervet!
Thank you so much, Linda. Those are two great picks.
Matt’s baby ellie and then Jess’s Ndzhenga male looks so pristine and regal have to also vote for that one! Happy Holidays to you all! Love you guys!
Thank you so much, Anita. I do also enjoy the baby elephant and the impressive shot of the Ndzhenga Male. Merry Christmas and I hope you have a fantastic rest of the festive season.
Oh Sean, I love them all – you guys are making it too difficult to just pick one!
Xinkova seems to be thriving. When I saw her last month she was on her own, then we found Nkoveni with Stonedrift. Are you seeing Stonedrift on her own at all these days?
Wishing all of you a very happy Christmas and New Year!
Thank you so much, Suzanne. The Xinkhova Female is thriving and we are seeing her a lot. The Stone Drift Female spends most of her time on Mala Mala. Occasionally she will be seen on Londolozi but not often. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Wonderful set of photos that paint a thousand stories and memories. Have a good family Christmas. Thank you for all your video’s and bringing Londolozi to us.
Thank you so much, Susan. I hope you have an amazing Christmas and New Year too.
Beautiful week! Loved the Leopards, chameleon, lions and vervet monkey. Merry Christmas to all!
Thank you so much, Kara. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you too.
This is an impossible set of images to choose from! The young Elephant, the Vervets, and especially the Flat Rock Male have all made it to our favorites!
Xinkhova. Love her photos this week! What a beauty!