December is here and most of us are wondering where this year has gone. This last week, however, has been no different from any other with endless photographic opportunities, only the heat has certainly gone up a few notches! It’s been all about quenching ones thirst and taking to the shade under the sprawling branches of the Marula trees. From elephants parading and a lioness from the Ntsevu pride leading the three youngest cubs towards the nearest water hole to a large herd of buffalo crossing the Sand River. There has been plenty of activity this last week, most of it centred around a water source.
Leopard viewing has been exceptional as usual, my highlight of the week was after a long blistering morning with no luck searching for any signs of cheetah in the open grass plains. Yet, you never know what’s around the next corner, as we spotted the Nkuwa Female up in a Marula tree contact calling for her two cubs who eventually joined her resulting in some enormous grins across the vehicle.
With endless photographic opportunities along with a number of skilled and talented photographers on the team, it is always a privilege to share a snippet of what you have recently captured.
Enjoy this week in pictures…
A graceful procession – A convoy of elephants parades along the road after having recently splashed themselves with mud and quenched their thirst at a nearby water hole.
Leading the future – A lioness from the Ntsevu pride strides alongside her three cubs. This litter has recently joined up with the rest of the pride, becoming integrated into the lions social structure learning the dynamics of the pride.
Zebra and foal
Often young leopards will use trees as vantage points to scan for hunting opportunities and keep an eye out for any threats. Here the Xinkhova female lounges in the shade on a sprawling branch of a Marula tree.
A stunning young female with a very similar spot pattern to her mother, the Nkoveni Female. Litter still completely intact March 2022.
A family trio from the Ntsevu pride quenching their thirst.
The pride gathers around Shingi Dam – An Ndzengha male, flanked by two Ntsevu lionesses look on as 6 playful cubs bring their mischievous joy into this family portrait.
The Xinkhova Female looks comfortable yet alert from her vantage point up in a marula tree.
A male and female steenbok stand side by side in the tall grass, embodying the close bond of this resilient species. Although it is very seldom that you see them standing so close together, they are thought to be monogamous, remaining together for extended periods and even forming lifelong bonds.
The Three Rivers Young Male although more elusive as he navigates the transition from his mother’s care to independence, he confidently navigates along the branch of a marula tree.
Somewhat skittish after becoming independent, he is an impressive young male with a rich golden coat.
A large elephant bull strolls through a clearing as the golden light bathes the scene.
Not often do we find buffalo in the Sand River. This time we were there just at the right time to watch them crossover while quenching their thirst along the way.
It is no easy feat raising two young males. The Nkuwa Female attempting to cool herself and catch her breath in the shade of a marula tree with one of her cubs watching over her waiting for his sibling to join them.
One of two sisters born to the Nhlanguleni Female, both of whom made it to independence, the first intact litter to do so in 7 years.
Nurturing and nourishing – An Nstevu lioness with two of her cubs brushing up against her while the third one continues to suckle.
One of the Nkuwa Female’s cubs strikes a pose at the base of the Marula tree. Now just under a year old, this was the first time I had seen the trio together.
Looking up into the marula where the Nkuwa Female and her other cub rested above.
After having only seen a glimpse of this newborn calf the day before, it was a special moment watching it keep up with its mother the next morning.
Thanks for the pictures. I really enjoyed them on a cold snowy winter day guys) May the strength of God and nature be with you and happy winter holidays to all, people and animals.
Pleasure Kirill 🙂 and happy holidays to you too!
Superb photos -as always
Thank you Ian!
Hi, there are moving pictures in this week… like a zebra and her foal. Touching! I studied the social structure of steenbok, they are such delightful little creatures. The Xinkova female in black and white is an exquisite portrait! All cubs are cute and beautiful as usual…
Thank you Francesca, the zebra and foal is heart warming! Glad you enjoyed the variety 🙂
Lovely TWIP Kelsey, thank you. I’m assuming the 3 young Ntsevu cubs would have been the ones I saw with the pride 2 weeks ago? – 2-3 months old ? Very cute!
Thank you Suzanne, yes those are the ones 🙂
So many wonderful pictures, very hard to choose favorties. Zebra and foal and pictures of the Nkuwa cub with it’s tongue stuck out would be my favorite.
Thank you Sandra, I can see from your profile picture you have a soft spot for the zebras! 🙂
Kelsey, such beautiful photos! I love all of them, especially the procession of elephants and that of the lioness leading her cubs to join the pride.
Wow, the Ntsevu pride is really doing very well with so many young cubs.
And, of course I love those absolutely gorgeous male cubs of the Nkuwa female.
And the elephant mum with her newborn. Oh, and of course the buffalos coming down to the river. So far I have only seen them among trees and bushes. It’s a great photo.
And indeed, this year has just come and gone like in a second. Christmas is on the doorstep.
And I am looking forward to the new year and another wonderful trip to Londolozi.
Thank you Christa! I’m so glad you enjoy all of them! It certainly is hard to pick a favourite 🙂 I hope you enjoy the festive season and then can count down the days until your next trip!
How can you not just love seeing all of the new life! I could look at those babies all day long. But then knowing deep down the challenges that lie ahead for them and their parents. From my heart I wish the very best for all…❤️
Exactly Barbi! It has been a special time with all the youngsters around and despite the challenges ahead we can still enjoy these moments:)
Lots of standouts, but overall, a great parents and kids collection!
Thank you Michael!
What beautiful images here this week in TWIP Kelsey. The two leopard cubs from the Nkuwa female are gorgeous males. Loved the one with his mouth open and resting under the tree. Precious little elephant calf, and Zebra foal and lion cubs. There is always something special about babies in the wild. Wow there were a lot of buffalo in the sand river. Fantastic foto of the steenbokkies, you hardly ever seen them.
Thank you Valmai! There have been some spectacular sightings lately and some very special moments with all the youngsters around 🙂 and yes a rare occasion with the buffalo crossing the Sand River and the Steenbok pair together!
Well done Kelsey! Your images for this week’s TWIP were so much fun to view. I loved the family portrait of the Ntsevu pride with presumably the Ndhzenga father. But then you included my favorite female Nkuwa and her handsome male cubs, now almost as big as her and that was even better. However, I also found the tiny baby elephant as well as the zebra foal truly endearing. It seems I can’t choose a favorite, they’re all wonderful.
Thank you Denise, I’m glad I could include some of your favourites 🙂 it is very hard to choose though!
Kelsey, wonderful pictures of the females and their young. I like the two pictures of the lioness’s and their cubs.
Thank you William! Those were some special moments between mother and cubs:)
I loved seeing the steenbok pair. They don’t feature often and I enjoyed taking in the different markings on their faces and inside their ears. There are so many great shots of mothers with offspring that this could almost be a Mother’s Day post! Warms my heart.
I’m happy to hear Chelsea! The Steenbok is one of my favourite too…not often you see the pair together!
Kelsey, What a beautiful set of images! It’s great to see the next generation leopards and lions doing so well. We know know it is rare for leopards to make it through to independence! Our favorite image is the Xinkhova Female in B&W!
Thank you Michael and Terri! 🙂 The youngsters are all doing very well at the moment! Glad you like the B&W picture of the Xinkhova female – she posed perfectly!
Wow Kelsey! I think this week’s pics first in a bit where EVERY SINGLE ONE (IMO) is an absolute LOVE! Bravo and thank you! 🙂 Fam trio might be the winner for me tho!