Although we are approaching mid-winter, we have yet to experience the bitterly crisp early mornings nor the constant golden winter light at dusk and dawn. With that being said the weather has been hugely contrasting over the past week, including overcast, blue and golden skies. Along with the array of hues in the sky, came a variety of leopards, prides of lions, birds and dazzling zebras.
On the male leopard front, the Senegal Bush Male surprised us on the way back to camp one morning with an appearance on the airstrip. The Maxim’s Male was found and incredibly relaxed as he rested near a waterhole in the late afternoon. On the female front, the Xinzele Female Duo graced us with an exciting sighting in the North whilst the Stone Drift Female continued roaming her mother’s domain looking to claim a territory of her own.
Onto the lions, whilst the newest additions to the Ntsevu Pride are growing in both size and stature, their fathers, the Ndzhenga Males, continue patrolling their territory and in doing so protecting their offspring and pride. The Tsalala Female has been roaring in and around the Sand River near camp every morning and the Talamati Pride continues with their relatively nomadic existence, roaming Londolozi and the surrounds with no male coalition to anchor them.
Unlike the previous week, I saw fewer elephants on the reserve, making this a predator-dense week in pictures. It was completed with a sighting of a pack of wild dogs at sunset and a young male cheetah in the southwestern grasslands.
Let me know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
![Impala And Zebra At Waterhole [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23162714/Impala-and-Zebra-at-Waterhole-RCB-1-1598x830.jpg)
A typical early afternoon scene with zebras and impalas looking to quench their thirst at a waterhole.
![Male Cheetah Sitting On Mound [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23160806/Male-Cheetah-Sitting-on-mound-RCB-1260x1598.jpg)
The young male cheetah that has been roaming the reserve of late pauses temporarily atop a termite mound to assess his options.
![Backlit Talamati Young Male [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23160655/Backlit-Talamati-Young-Male-RCB-1598x1139.jpg)
Early morning sunlight warmly backlights the Talamati Young Male as he follows the rest of his pride.
![Zebras At Eye Level B&w [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23171458/Zebras-at-eye-level-BW-RCB-1598x858.jpg)
A small dazzle of zebra elevated above us at eye level gives us a unique and amazing perspective.
![Maxims Male Lying Next To Waterhole [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23160816/Maxims-Male-Lying-Next-to-Waterhole-RCB-1598x1030.jpg)
A rare opportunity to photograph the Maxim’s male up close whilst he was gazing over a waterhole in the late afternoon.
Dominant since 2019. Once skittish Kruger-born giant now rules vast territory, transforming from elusive presence to formidable force.
![Spotted Eagle Owl In Spotlight [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23162740/Spotted-Eagle-Owl-in-Spotlight-RCB-1147x1598.jpg)
On our way back to camp we were lucky enough to come across a Spotted Eagle-owl, that was presumably out in search of dinner.
![Lion Cubs In Golden Light [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23160753/Lion-Cubs-in-Golden-Light-RCB-1598x1024.jpg)
Two lion cubs from the Ntsevu pride wake up in the late afternoon whilst the adults still doze nearby.
![Ndzhenga Male Lying In Clearing [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23171435/Ndzhenga-male-lying-in-clearing-RCB-1598x1149.jpg)
A Ndzhenga Male lion soaks up the morning light.
![Fish Eagle Perching On Dead Tree [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23160726/FIsh-Eagle-Perching-on-Dead-Tree-RCB-1598x1207.jpg)
The regal pose of an African Fish Eagle perched in a dead knobthorn tree.
![Senegal Bush Male Standing In Clearing [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23162726/Senegal-Bush-Male-Standing-in-Clearing-RCB-1598x1033.jpg)
The Senegal Bush Male strikes a powerful pose in an open clearing. A Crested Francolin alarm calling nearby had caught his attention.
Dominant from 2019-2024, transformed from cautious visitor to powerful territorial force. Mastered central Londolozi until his final days.
![Xhinkova Stonedrift Female Portrait In Marula [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23162830/Xhinkova-Stonedrift-female-portrait-in-marula-RCB-1598x1249.jpg)
The Stone Drift Female glances distantly over our vehicle in the direction of a herd of impala.
Born 2021, larger daughter of Nkoveni. Successfully established territory in Mala Mala and now raising her first litter east of Londolozi.
![Xinzele Female Intense Stare In Marula Marula [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23162842/Xinzele-Female-Intense-Stare-in-Marula-Marula-RCB-1598x1457.jpg)
Momentarily after vocalising, the Xinzele Female sees another leopard approaching in the distance.
Northern territory specialist born 2017. Successfully raised the Thumbela Female while establishing dominance in NW Marthly's dramatic lands
Born 2022, playful daughter of Xinzele. Named for her hide-and-seek games, now confidently establishing independence in Marthly's terrain.
![Xinzele Young Female In Marula [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23162906/Xinzele-Young-Female-in-Marula-RCB-1598x1279.jpg)
To the Xinzele Female’s relief, it was her cub approaching. The two locked eyes with each other as a clan of hyenas milled about at the base of this Marula tree.
![Wild Dog At Sunset [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23162817/Wild-Dog-at-Sunset-RCB-1598x809.jpg)
A lone wild dog looks for the rest of his pack moments after an attempted hunt.
![Senegal Bush Male Crossing Airstrip [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23160829/Senegal-Bush-Male-Crossing-Airstrip-RCB-1598x1090.jpg)
The Senegal Bush Male crosses the airstrip as a ray of late morning light catches his golden coat.
![Brown Hooded Kingfisher Perched [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23160713/Brown-hooded-Kingfisher-Perched-RCB-1598x1065.jpg)
Whilst other species of kingfishers such as the commonly known woodland species have migrated northwards to warmer climates, their brown-hooded relatives continue to grace us with their elegant demeanour and eye-catching colours.
![Tsalala Female Sitting On Fallen Over Marula [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23162752/Tsalala-female-sitting-on-fallen-over-marula-RCB-1598x1204.jpg)
The Tsalala Female perches upon a fallen marula tree with an evidently full belly.
![Tsalala Female Standing On Fallen Over Marula [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23162807/Tsalala-female-standing-on-fallen-over-marula-RCB-1598x1030.jpg)
After roaring nonstop for almost an hour from an open clearing, potentially looking for a mate, the Tsalala female descends a fallen over Marula tree to rest.
![Lion Cubs Walking With Lioness [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23171444/Lion-cubs-walking-with-lioness-RCB-1598x1089.jpg)
The latest additions to the Ntsevu Pride bound through short grass whilst their mother keeps a beady eye on them. If you look carefully you’ll notice the third lion cub hiding in the shadows of its mother.
pictures of the lion cubs are my favorite.
Robert, great pictures this week. My favorite is the spotted eagle-owl at night. Wonderful picture.
The lion cubs in the afternoon light is pretty great and off norm for me the little kingfisher just struck me this week. Always wonderful 🙂
Glad to see the Tsalala female, especially well fed. Her pic standing on the Marula tree is my favourite this week.
Great week in photos (as usual). The stone drift female in the tree is my favorite for this week although the cheetah is a close second!
Another collection of classics. The standout for me is the backlit Talamati young male. I think if you open up the dictionary to “lion,” it should have that picture in it!
Wonderful photos, Robbie!
Hi Robert this week is no exception to the previous outstanding images on TWIP. I loved the Spotted eagle owl, which I will say is my favorite for this week. So glad to see the Tsalala female is well and I really do hope she can get a mate. Ntsevu cubs are gorgeous. The Ndzhenga male lion is a stunning lion.
Robbie, such a wonderful TWIP, with so many amazing images. Choosing one is always difficult, but I really appreciated the opening photo of the zebras and impalas at the water hole. The reflection is beautiful. Second choice goes to the Tsalala female, perched on the Marula tree branch.
Robbie, Thanks for a great set of images! We love that Tsalala is still doing so well on her own! The Leopard shots are awesome! Our favorite shot though, is the scene with zebras and impalas – the reflection is so cool!
Another stunner of a TWIP Robert!! I’ll always choose the cheetah, but so many other great ones, including the dazzle of zebra!! Bravo!!
The Cheetah is glorious! The eye colour is so rich, and the photo shows the power and majesty of this beautiful animal!
A very beautiful photo of Dzwihala Talamati. Thank you ❤️🦁❤️🦁❤️🦁❤️
Love the zebra trio!
A wonderful series of photos this week! Hard to bypass all of the spotty kitties this time, but the young Talamati male takes the prize this week. I have such a soft spot for him….hoping that he continues to do well.