Another week has come and gone at Londolozi and winter has really started showing its teeth as we have hit a new yearly low of 5.2 degrees Celsius. The cold winter air thrust upon your face as the dawn breaks is the perfect way to get the day going. In the heart of winter, the golden hues from the rising and setting sun are a photographer’s dream adding vibrance and warmth to the photographs. The variety in our sightings over the past week has been incredible as the larger predators take full advantage of the long cool mornings and we often see them moving around late into the morning, covering huge distances. Elephants and buffalos take advantage of the still-saturated landscape as a result of all the late rain we received. We use some great shots of the abundant birdlife to help punctuate the shots of the larger subjects giving a great all-round representation of the week in the bush.
Lion activity has been the best it has been in a long time, with lots of different coalitions moving through the property. I believe that the presence of the Skorro Young Male and Talamati Pride has made these movements happen. By movements, I am referring to the Ndzhenga Males venturing as far west into Londolozi as I ever recall them doing, the Gijima Males moving in from the south, and factions of the Ntsevu Pride being found all over the show.
The Xinzele Female and her daughter have been seen frequently in the northern parts of Londolozi. Growing in confidence on a daily basis, it will be interesting to see what’s next for the young female. The Plaque Rock Female has also been making her presence known as we have heard her calling a couple times while on territorial patrols.
A Young Male Cheetah seems to be making the southwestern grasslands his own in the past couple of weeks. We spent the afternoon with him unfortunately missing a heard of impala while hunting.
Let me know your favourite images in the comments below.
Enjoy The Week in Pictures…
After mating with a Talamati Pride member, this Ndzhenga Male starts heading back east to meet up with his brother.
A large buffalo bull moving through the long grass after quenching its thirst in the late afternoon.
While moving through the central parts of Londolozi he made his presence known while belting out a very impressive roar.
Wildebeest catching some morning rays after an extremely cold winter’s night.
The winter glow on leopards especially always blows my mind.
While watching that majestic buffalo bull, we heard some impalas alarming. Following up, we were greeted by the young male cheetah who settled a termite mound.
After celebrating finding the young male cheetah we found this majestic White-faced Owl. It was quite a drive.
The Xinzele Young Female glances over a termite mound, watching some impala in the distance. Still reliant on her mother but is reaching the age where she’s beginning to attempt to hunt on her own.
An elephant feeds in the Sand River after having a long drink.
A Red-billed Hornbill examines its surroundings in search of some food.
A Talamati Pride member crossing the airstrip dead focussed on a herd of zebra in the thickets beyond her.
One of the very cute Ntsevu cubs looking for a suckling opportunity.
Always keep an eye out for the Brown-hooded Kingfishers while driving in the Maxabene Riverbed. If they sit still for long enough, they allow for great photographic opportunities.
I’m always drawn to elephants’ eyes. There is something extremely special about them, you can almost see into their souls.
The Skorro Young Male crossing the Sand River. A sight we have been fortunate enough to see quite a lot over the past few weeks.
The Plaque Rock Female watches a herd of impala in the distance before she continues on her morning patrol.
You’ve posted a wonderful collection of images this week and my two favorites are the Xinzele young female as well as the elephant’s eye. Albeit cold, it looks like winter has been good for everyone-rangers, guests and animals.
Beautiful pictures. My favorites are White-faced Owl and the Elephant eye.
Patrick, Thanks for a fantastic set of images! It was hard to pick just one, but we pick the Skorro Young Male shot!
Patrick, great photos this week. My favorite is the buffalo Bull in the tall grass. It is a magnificent shot.
Wonderful photos, Patrick. I love the one of the White Faced Owl best. It’s so beautiful and photos of owls are quite rare.
It’s good to know that the Skort young male is still around and in fine condition, considering all the competition from other male lions.
I never tire of seeing an elephant eye. I read somewhere about the thrill of having a whale look at you, seeing you, being seen by such a sentient being. That is how I feel when an elephant looks at me: SEEN. And on the few occasions when I have been fortunate enough to be so seen, I have wept with joy.
Great TWIP Patrick! So many wonderful images to choose from, I can’t possibly pick!!
While I’m not a big buffalo fan, I love the buffalo bull photo along with the white-faced owl. And Keep It Cool for us US travelers, as we’ll be there August 5.
Hi Patrick, quite a diverse group of images this week. My favorite is the White faced owl and secondly the elephants beautiful eye. You are right about looking into their soul by looking into their eyes. The owl is beautifully perched on a branch. It is getting cold and the mornings and early evenings are really chilly.
Great pics. The wildebeest is my fave! 🙌🏻
Great pictures Pat, enjoyed this week’s pictures! The Xinzele Female’s daughter will only be named once she is territorial right? Will it be coordinated with your neighbors to the north like the Makhomsava Female’s moniker was do you know?
What a lovely set of photos – thank you Pat. The winter light is indeed amazing. My favourites this week are the Ntsevu cub and the brown-hooded kingfisher.
Thanks for the nice collection of winter photos. My favorite is the cheetah because he is looking directly at the camera. It seems to me they are usually looking in the distance in most photos.
Excellent collection, Patrick. Really good “eye glint” on a couple. I’m over the moon with the possibility of seeing the cheetah later this month. Here’s hoping he sticks around.🤞🤞🤞
I’m guessing you shot these with prime lenses? And whoah! That temperature is like 42° fahrenheit.
I particularly love the contrasting colors in the portrait of the buffalo bull, but I was also drawn to the cheetah and the Skorro male crossing the river. Wonderful collection.
Plaque Rock female shot pretty impressive! I bet as much so in color too! Love also the Ellie eye close up! Colors are wonderful in all then shots 🙂