It’s been a fun week here at Londolozi. I have continued to have a bit of fun with the 600mm (Blog incoming) so you’ll notice some fun with birds and tight crops; some eyes, some portraits, and some abstract stuff. It is a beautiful piece of gear. Outside of that, I’ve been using my old faithful Canon R6 and 70-200mm f/2.8, a great set-up for some scenic shots as well as low-light scenarios.
In terms of the bush, it has been as fantastic a week as ever. The Nkoveni Female and her brood continue to keep us all enthralled with her relaxed demeanour and the cubs’ adorable rambunctiousness. Some sleepy zebras kick back using a convenient comrade’s back as a resting post. The White-fronted Bee-eater colony is a perfect place for a sundowner over the Sandriver with some fun photographic opportunities. A very full belly does not stop one of the Ndzhenga Males from looking for a potential mating opportunity, testing her urine for the right combination of hormones which will indicate her entering a state of mating readiness. We had a lovely sighting of a family of Southern Ground hornbills, one seeming enthralled with a bone it had just found and was determined to keep for itself! The Mhangeni Pride finish off a zebra and treats us to a view of them spread out and drinking at a wide open waterhole.
It’s been another fantastic week out here in the Lowveld (hard to be otherwise)
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
One of the Nkoveni Female’s cubs entertains itself whilst waiting for the mother to lead her to a kill!
Golden hues to backlight a zebra stallion
The Plaque Rock female kills a stashed Bushbuck lamb.
Proud.
Playful.
Magic at a waterhole as the Mhangheni Pride slake their thirst after finishing off a zebra.
Sunrise with a small herd of impala.
Marching.
What lies in the deep.
Patterns.
A very contented seeming zebra rests his chin atop a friendly back.
The Ndandzeni Female has cubs! We have an idea where she may be denning but nothing confirmed yet. Here, she sits atop a log sporting a very heavy milk pouch.
I love the deep greens of this image.
It’s MY bone!
A young rhino calf peers at us from the saftey of its mother’s side.
A bloody-faced grimace from one of the Ndhzenga Males as he inspects her urine and analyses it for information on her state of oestrus.
Staring into the canopy where her sibling feeds on an impala lamb.
Mischief.
I love the leading lines in this photo. It’s not often that a Steenbok poses for the camera.
Two giraffe bulls sparring.
A crocodile’s eye is a gorgeous thing when viewed up close.
I love your photos, Kyle. Another great collection of week in pictures. My favourite one this week is the great picture of the ground horn bills; It‘s rare that one sees them so clearly and the red and black colouring is so beautiful in this photo.
Great pictures this week Kyle. My favorite is the crocodile’s eye.
Stunning photos, Kyle – thank you.
Although I’m thrilled to hear about Ndzanzeni’s cub(s) I shall make a conscious effort not to get too excited…..given that she hasn’t brought a cub to independence since Tortoise Pan, and I think he’s 8 now.
Fun photos this week, Kyle. Always love the leopards – and the news that Ndandzeni has cubs – but the zebra stripes really appeal to me!
I know you loved the “deep greens” in the picture of the bee eaters, but I found the colors and lighting in all of the pictures just magical! Thank you!
Great images this week Kyle, and glad to see some fabulous close-ups, especially the zebra detail. That should be printed and displayed. Exciting news about Ndzanzeni – it has been awhile since we’ve seen her and now, cubs! In looking at your closeup of Nkoveni’s cub, I noticed she still has blue eyes. I would have thought they’d have changed by now. The little rhino and Steenbok photos are also favorites. Like you, I love using my 70-200,2.8mm lens for the flexibility I have and find I use it twice as much as my 100-400,4.5mm-6.3. Big weight difference as well.
Such stunning images Kyle and I love the background of your being so hazy, both in photography. The leopard cubs are so cute, steenbok super cute. Your image of the white fronted bee-eaters is absolutely astounding Kyle, those blue hues are beautiful.
You not only hit a home run with the photos this week Kyle…I call it a Grand Slam!!!!
Great TWIP Kyle! So much variety in terms of subject and composition. I think my favorite might just be the one you titled “Patterns,” of the zebra. Just stunning!!
LOVE the B&W zebra, and lions at the pan drinking, and especially the croc using the 600! What a piece of glass that is! What’s it weight in at on the 850 in lbs? Excellent work!!!
Great photos, Kyle! They make me feel like I’m still there!
All pictures are superb and it’s impossible to choose one. My sister ‘s choice is the opening one, the Ndzenga male showing his teeth. Really a fantastic photo! I am caught by the little leopardess looking upwards. Also the rhino cub is super. All cubs are a favourite subject, and the steenbok looks like a calf too. I am over the moon for the Ndzanzeni female! She deserves a full litter to grow, and the royal family to continue! So exciting
Great shots, Kyle! It looks like two of the Mngenhi lionesses are quite thin. Have they still been struggling hunting? The caption says they had a zebra kill so curious.
Kyle, fantastic set of images!! We loved the captions too!
Lovely details! Two of the Mhangheni Lionesses are looking rather thin. Are they the older two?
Kyle, these photos are absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Kyle, great photos thanks for keeping us in touch with the magic of Londolozi.