As we step into another exciting week behind the camera, there’s an abundance of thrilling moments to share with all of you. To be honest, it’s a bit overwhelming to know where to begin.
First off, we’ve been graced with the presence of wild dogs and their playful pups. Watching these little ones engage in endless playtime is an absolute joy, especially when there are 19 of them, and finding a playmate is never a challenge.
In addition to the wild dogs, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing the Nhlanguleni Cubs for the very first time, observing them and their mother at a frequently used den. We hope this fantastic viewing opportunity continues for a long time to come.
A drinks break was momentarily interrupted by a visit from the elephants, giving us a stunning reflection in the water. We also had male lions quenching their thirst in the golden light.
Other highlights from the week include the Tsalala Female gracefully moving about in the early morning, breathtaking shots of stars and fire captured in long exposure photos, adorable baby zebras, mesmerizing sunsets, and thrilling sightings of leopards and cheetahs. Plus, we even stumbled upon a Lapwing nest.
All in all, it was an extraordinary week filled with remarkable moments in the wild.
Let me know your favourite images in the comments section below.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
After watching them milling about on the road for a while, the adults left to go hunting, leaving the pups behind here. Now having 19 pups in the pack, it was entertaining to watch. Struggling to decide where to look as every single pup was doing something different. Eventually this one sat up with sand stuck to its nose.
“Music to our ears” we heard from the neighbours that the pack of wild dogs was moving around with their pups and just by chance coming our way.
A super fluffy and adorable young zebra foal
My very first view of the Nhlanguleni Female’s cubs. How exciting that we finally know they are not a myth.
Initially skittish she spent a lot of time in the Sand River, now relaxed she makes up the majority of leopard viewing west of camp.
Driving past the airstrip at the beginning of the morning game drive is often a great place to stop and listen to the bushveld around you waking up. At the same time, the sun rising over the eastern horizon with a low blanket of mist along the Sand River in the distance.
While searching for the Nhlanguleni Female near camp, we were surprised by the appearance of the Tsalala Female in the clearings nearby.
There is always something great about the combination of fire, stars and a long exposure photograph.
While driving through the northern parts of Marthly we were treated to a stunning scene of the gorgeous Xinzele Female perfectly framed between a large jackalberry tree and a termite mound. It appeared as though she was using this as vantage point to scan for any prey in the area.
A small female often found in NW Marthly. Similar spot pattern to her mother the Ingrid Dam Female.
From the same scene just zoomed in to highlight the beauty of this female.
It is fascinating how lighting can drastically change a photograph, this image was taken maybe 15 minutes after the previous one above. She moved to another mound, a few metres away and now with the sun to the right of the frame and the clouds in the distance to the south of her, it looks like a totally different scene.
While stopping for a sundowner drink at a stunning waterhole in the southwestern grasslands, a herd of elephants also had a similar train of thought and came to join us.
Stopping for a quick drink before moving on.
The adorable cub rubs up against its mother, the Nhlanguleni Female, seeming as though to say”Hey mum, did you see what I just did?”
Waiting for her mother’s response to say, “Well done little one, I am so proud!”
Hearing over the radio that a female cheetah was found in the clearings close to camp, I couldn’t resist popping across to snap a few shots.
After the rigmarole of the Three Rivers Female and the Nkoveni Female, the Maxim’s Male then moved in and claimed the remains of the carcass, allowing me to finally snap some shots of him, relaxed in a tree with a clear view of him.
Fairly skittish male that is presumed to have come from the Kruger National Park.
In driving past the Nhlanguleni Female’s den one afternoon we caught a brief glimpse of this little cute cub peering out from a gap.
Sunsets at this time of year are breathtaking. The extra dust and smoke held in the atmosphere from months of very little rain and much drier landscape create these deep orange and red western horizons.
While following the Plaque Rock Female passed a waterhole, I was shocked at how aggressive and cheeky this Blacksmith Lapwing was being towards the vehicle. Eventually we spotted its well camouflaged nest close to where we were driving and moved further away allowing it to return to the nest that it was being so protective over.
After heading towards a few vultures perched in a dead leadwood, we soon discovered the last little remains of a young giraffe carcass. Probably the victim of a few hungry lions. After driving around we found two very full Ndzhenga Males who promptly got up and went for a drink just the perfect light was illuminating the scene.
The last shot of the Nkoveni Cub that I managed to take before it was likely to have been taken out by the Three Rivers Female that night.
A gorgeous female who is found to the east of camp. Easily recognised by her 2:2 spot pattern she is often to be found in Marula trees.
With the spectacular orange hues on the western horizon after sunset, a Verreaux’s Eagle Owl flew into a dead tree nearby allowing me to snap a silhouette shot of it.
Late in the afternoon, we slowly meandered our way through a meandering herd of buffalo which seemed to take forever. There were probably more than 1 000 buffalo in this herd one of the largest gatherings of these enormous bovines that I have seen in a long time.
Expanding their reign, one of the Ndzhenga Males becomes a little better acquainted with a Talamati Lioness as the two spend four days together mating.
Speaking of mist, a different perspective of the Sand River on a fairly chilly morning as the dawn breaks.
FANTASTIC once again! The Nhlanguleni female cub looking around his / her mum is a stand out for me!
Thank you so much, Gawie. The Nhlanguleni Cubs are super cute.
Fantastic pictures. Glad for the Nhlanguleni female.
Any updates on the 3 Rivers and Nkoveni? Was anyone of them seen after the skirmish?
Thank you, both the Three Rivers Female and the Nkoveni Female have been seen and both are looking perfectly fine. Apart from a few small wounds that are healing well, it is difficult to tell that they had such a serious fight.
Thank you for the answer Sean. We have Amur leopards here, but I loved African after I saw Karula and her kids on WE and now discovering more in your reserve.
Superb array, Sean. Except for the wild dogs (which we missed this trip) this photo collection is a good representation of our splendid 16 day visit in August.
Thank you so much, Willa. That is unfortunate that you never got to see the wild dogs, hopefully on your next trip they are around.
Great pictures again this week. I really love the owl in the tree. Really a wow shot!!!
Thank you so much, Mark. It was such a gorgeous scene with the colours in the sky after sunset.
Great Photos, Sean, as always.
Sadly, one of the Nhlanguleni‘s cubs was killed.
I love all of these photos.
Thank you so much, Christa.
Beautiful shots! When you see the wild dog cubs, it’s hard to believe they can be such ruthless hunter/killers when they are so adorable!
Favourite pic this week: the Nhlanguleni cub nuzzling up to mom – just heartwarming! But also, the beauty of their warm colors/spots agains the greenery in that photo is stunning.
Thank you so much, Kylea. I completely agree with your comment on the wild dog pups, they are so cute and playful. It is hard to believe how ruthless they can be when feasting.
All lovely photographs Sean. My favourite is ‘The adorable cub rubs up against its mother, the Nhlanguleni Female, seeming as though to say”Hey mum, did you see what I just did?”’
Thank you so much, Ian. I also really like that shot of mother and cub.
The Tsalala female do you think she’s lonely?
Possibly, but there is no way for us to tell or even know if animals feel the same emotions as us humans.
I’m heartbroken for the Tsalala lioness
Spectacular images Sean! It’s great to see some good images of the Nhlanguleni Cubs! A great mix of shots this week. Our favorite is the first shot of the Wild Dog pup – it must have been amazing to see 19 of them!
Thank you so much, Michael. It really was amazing to see the 19 pups. Sorry they appeared after you had left.
Sean, TWIPS is beautiful as always. My favorite is thee elephant with the reflection in the water. The Nhlenguleni female and her cubs are also pretty cool.
Thank you so much, William. Those are some great choices, any time with elephants is always special, and of course leopard cubs are super cute.
Did the Three Rivers female take out both cubs of the Nkoveni leopard?
Yes, it is believed that sadly, both the Nkoveni Cubs were killed. We have not seen the second cub since the incident. The image I feature here was the very last photo that I took of her before she was killed.
So many wonderful shots but my favorite is the wild dog pup with the sand on his nose. He seems to be planning his next move.
I also love that shot of the wild dog pup with the sand on its nose.
So many choices. My vote is for the departed Nkoveni cub whom we had never seen, but who may have been an indirect cause of the Three River-Nkoveni battle that we witnessed closeup.
Thank you so much, Vin. It was sad that this cub never survived but I guess it is how the wild works isn’t it?
Outstanding collection of photos this week, once again. Favorites this week include the cub of Nkoveni as well as Nhlanguleni’s. But I also have to mention your long exposure was stunning and it made me very happy to see Tsalala looking so healthy.
Thank you so much, Denise. It is hard to not like photos of leopard cubs.
Fantastic shots this week Sean! Sad about the last shot of the cub tho 🙁 But of course the new cub pics are wonderful. We haven’t see the Maxim’s Male in a while? Hands down fave shot is the wild dog pup with the sand on his nose. So adorable!!!
Thank you so much, Anita. It is sad that sadly the cub was killed. The Maxim’s Male is a difficult leopard to get a decent view of and so I was thrilled when he hung around and spent time up in the tree feeding. The wild dog pups were amazing to see and that shot with the sand on its nose is comical.
Always a difficult decision to determine which of the absolutely stunning images I like best. But for this week I have to say my personal favorite was the Nhlanguleni Female with her cub. A close second would be the wild dog pup. An exciting week for certain.
Thank you so much, Karen. There are a fair few images to choose from in this TWIP, so I don’t blame you. I love both those choices of yours.
Just mesmerizing!
Thank you so much, Michael.
Hi Sean such beautiful foto’s this week. I loved the tiny Nhlanguleni cub all on its own. Secondly the Nkoveni cub, which is sad because it is now of the past.
Thank you so much, Valmai. Leopard cubs are amazing to view and so I feel any shot of them is always going to do well.
Another BRILLIANT TWIP Sean! Way too many great images to choose from, so I’ll decline a favorite. I will say, the photo of the Maxim Male in the tree gnawing on what appears to be an antelope leg is really cool. It could be any one of us, relaxing in a tree, eating a sausage-on-a-stick grilled over a campfire!! Bravo!!
Thank you so much, Paul. It was great to see the Maxim’s Male so relaxed as he made short work of the last bits of the impala leg.
Notwithstanding the sad backstory, I sure am glad we stuck around a bit longer for the viewing of Nhlanguleni and her cub!
Thank you so much, Al. It was such an incredible view of the two of them up on the boulder.
Ok…..the cats are usually my favorite shots…..and Tsalala is gorgeous and the leopard cubbies are precious this week. But the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl silhouette is just fabulous! Usually we see these owls in the dense canopies of trees, so to see one on a dead branch at sunset is really gorgeous!