A wonderful week where leopards steal the limelight and feature heavily in a myriad of different settings, fallen marulas, termite mounds, silhouetted by a magnificent sunset, launching into a tree or the textures and detail of a paw. Either way, they are all magnificent.
On the lion front, we have another glimpse of the tiny Ntsevu cubs as they peer across towards the camera. Wildebeest calves are growing rapidly and a new addition to the giraffe contingent make up the rest.
Let us know your favourites in the comment section below.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
After following the Nkoveni Female for a while as she patrolled her territory, seemingly also to be on the hunt, she made use of this fallen marula tree to rest and scan her surroundings before continuing on her way.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
Two young lion cubs ventured a few meters away from their mother and curiously glanced in our direction. It is remarkable how quickly these little lion cubs are growing.
The detailed paw of a leopard hanging from a marula branch. Notice the three lobes at the back of the main pad of the paw, this is one of the main features we look at when identifying the track/paw-print in the sand to know that it is a leopard.
We were witness to an action-packed hyena sighting one recent morning. As we drove out of camp we were met by 6 hyenas all steadily trotting in the direction of the river while giving their ‘whooping’ calls. We followed them down to and through the channel of water until we eventually lost them going into a very thick gulley. We can’t be certain what got them excited but my guess would be a bit of clan rivalry.
In a sea of green the Stone Drift Female lifts her head as a herd of impala notice her presence.
Also young and playful but rather with a spot pattern of 3:2. She is slightly bigger than her sister.
A large male giraffe bends down to greet a very young baby while its mother watches on from beyond the baby.
The Ntomi Male carefully climbs up a tall marula tree. From the fork of the tree, he watched as a herd of zebra and wildebeest moved past before finally falling back asleep.
A single cub of the Ximungwe Female's second litter. Initially rather skittish but is very relaxed now. Birth mark in his left eye.
The Three Rivers Female relaxes on a fallen branch during another spectacular sunset over Londolozi.
Forced into early independence at 11 months. Despite her small size, she's proven resilient, currently raising a cub in SE Londolozi.
Providing some of the most entertaining game viewing at the moment, the Ntomi Male rests on a fallen marula. With the sun breaking through the clouds, giving us a brief respite from the rain, this was a magical moment.
With several Nsevu Lionesses denning in and around the Sand River, we were greeted by this sight as we peered down through the trees!
Wildebeest
After resting here for a while, a large yawn preceded him descending the fallen tree and moving around in search of any prey.
A bird that isn’t normally seen too often and one that we would not expect to be out in the open during the day. This Black-crowned Night Heron waded out onto the causeway to try and catch any fish being washed downstream. Although well illuminated in the image, the sun had already set and I attempted to capture a bit of motion blur with the water flowing fast and the bird remaining dead still.
After moving on from the fallen marula a tall termite mound was the next obstacle on the Nkoveni Female’s list to utilise.
Another amazing summer Sunset at Londolozi
There really are so many great images this week Sean, besides the leopards. But, I am choosing Keagan’s beautiful portrait of the Ntomi male taken on the log, illuminated by those magical light rays. It’s ethereal and tells a story, in my opinion. It edged out the detail shot of Naomi’s paw that was another favorite…..
Thank you so much, Denise. That picture of the Ntomi Male is a fantastic image.
The denning Nsevu Lionesses are so adorable!
The cubs are so cute.
The black-crowned night heron image turned out well! Also, I had no idea wildebeests started growing horns so young, but I guess it makes sense to have some form of defense as soon as possible.
Thankfully the Night Heron shot did turn out pretty well. It is so fascinating that the young wildebeests start growing their horns from such a young age.
Amazing sunsets, beautiful and gracious leopards, ever so cute (love them!) lion cubs, the great picture of a rare night heron, the giraffes and the beautiful river setting with the hyena crossing- I love all of the photos. Thanks for another week of pictures.
Thank you so much, Christa. I am glad you loved a lot of them.
The male leopard in the tree yawning lets you see his impressive canines. Those marula trees just don’t look right without a leopard in them.
Those two little cubs hugging each other, it keeps me in mind of an old pic of MR T and Kinky Tail Mapogo doing the same. This has got to be my favourite this week.
That is true, the marula trees don’t look good at all unless there is a leopard draped over the branches.
Sean, Beautiful photos across the board! Our favorite this week is your B&W one of the Nkoveni Female. The blurred forground and background created a really unique image!
Thank you so much, Michael and Terri. I am glad you love that pic of the Nkoveni Female.
What a series! Just yummy!!
As always, super photo review. I was flummoxed with the mention of the Stone drift leopard, though. Thanks then for the ability to check the profile to understand her origin. Ntomis’s cousin, yes?
Thank you so much, Willa. Yes, I guess you could call the Stone Drift Female a cousin of the Ntomi Male. Keep an eye out for a blog in the future of the Stone Drift Female.
SO MANY this week!!! At first run it was Kate’s close up on the cutest cubs but then the sunlight over the Ntomi male (my heart) can’t be beat!
Those are two great choices. and too close to choose either of them.
Sean these foto’s are beautiful. Loved the Ntomi male resting on the branch. Secondly the two lion cubs by the sand river. The male giraffe bending down towards the little giraffe is a wonderful foto.
Thank you so much, Valmai. There were some great pictures this week.
That is quite the week! My favourites were the Ntomi male leopard, (the black and white, where he’s going up the tree,) and also the shot with the sun rays in the background was quite magical.
It really was quite the week. Those are two good picks.
Sean, TWIP is full of wonderful pictures. The small lion cubs seen through the tree is great but, my favorite is the leopard on the macula tree branch the the light shinning down from the sky.
Thank you so much, William. That is a magnificent picture taken by Keagan.
Super photos, as per the norm from my favourite regular blog
Thank you so much, Ian.
The Ntomi Male is beyond handsome. Such a shame he will one day depart Londolozi. Would love to be able to follow his progress.
He really is an impressive young leopard. It will be a pity when he eventually leaves. But, maybe he may stick around and set up territory where we may still be able to view him.
The Ntomi male and the spectacular background for me this week.
great week in photos
Great shot of the Night Heron!