As we begin to approach the end of our dry season it is hard not to reflect on how the golden hues and dusty auburn shades of winter have provided us with some spectacular photographic opportunities. With less water around and the warm winter days, waterholes are always a must on afternoon drives, especially in search of breeding herds of elephants who have come down to drink.
The lion dynamics continue to keep us enthralled as the Kambula Pride cover great distances overnight as they continue to provide for all 18 of them. The Nhdzenga males continue to control the central and eastern parts of the reserve keeping other coalitions at bay, with the Plains Camp males still to the west of them and a brief sighting of the southern Avoca male in the southwestern parts of the reserve.
Undeniably, the Nkoveni female and Three Rivers female, motherhood journeys have provided us with unforgettable sightings as they raise their cubs respectively. The Nottens male, although not frequently seen has still been in the southern central parts of the reserve, and at first glance, he looks just like the Nweti male. The impressive Maxism’s male has begun to expand his territory more westwards as female leopards within his territory continue to raise his offspring.
The fascinating dynamics of the Toulon pack and the ‘adopted’ wild dog pups continue to captivate us as we watch their story unfold. Soon these three pups will be old enough to follow the adults on hunts and no longer confined to the den.
With the change in season, a few migratory birds have begun to make their way down south, and excitingly I got to see my first ever Western Osprey in the Sabi Sands. As the winter days grow longer and the spring warmth sets I look forward to the weeks to come.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
The Nottens male is still roaming in his father’s territory in the central south. With a large portion of his father’s territory in the open grasslands, it is always exciting to come across him.
A splitting image of his father the Nweti Male. He is a young leopard roaming the southern extent of Londolozi at the moment.
The splitting image of his father – the Nweti male.
The glint of the maroon of this zebra’s eye catches the afternoon sun.
One of the pups was moved to another den and waited patiently for the other adults to return.
Three adults of the Toulon Pack after a morning hunt, drink at the waterhole before returning to the den to regurgitate for the pups.
After feeding the single pup the pack then moved to the next den where the other two remained. Before entering the den the pack checked out the surroundings before calling the pups out. You can see the alertness by their ears as they check their surroundings.
The morning sun backlit the dust from the approaching vehicle as one of the Plains Camp males walked towards us.
The intense stare of the Maxism’s Male as he quenches his thirst at a waterhole.
Fairly skittish male that is presumed to have come from the Kruger National Park.
He then settled down to rest alongside the waterhole. To see this male out in the open and resting like this was certainly memorable.
He eventually got up and walked off, highlighting his size with such a remarkable scene with his reflection in the water.
The Kambula subadults practice their hunting skills by stalking and tackling each other.
Caught in an ’embrace’ just before they both plummeted to the ground
The mane of this young male is starting to show more and more as he plays with one of the female subadults.
Splashing about while having a drink, this large female elephant put on quite the spectacle.
An inquisitive young elephant calf appeared to be all brave and confident while standing right next to its mother.
My first sighting of the Southern Avoca male who briefly moved through the reserve before heading back south. He is looking a little thin and his mane has lost a lot of its volume.
A White-fronted Bee-eater comes in to land on a log on the edge of the waterhole.
A tender moment as the Three Rivers Female greets her cub as she leads her towards a carcass stashed in a thicket.
Forced into early independence as her mother was killed by the Southern Avoca Males.
The two Ndzhenga Males have been holding strong and continually performing extensive territorial patrols.
A Western Osprey is an uncommon non-breeding Palearctic migrant recognizable by its white crown and dark brown band through its yellow eye.
We headed out in search of the Nkoveni female and cubs one morning and came around the corner to literally find her crossing the road ahead of us.
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.
The Nkoveni female scans the riverbed below before leading her cubs acorss it.
The Nkoveni Trio cross in front of ranger Jess Shillaw and her guests.
Thanks Kist, for twips . My favorites are the last two showing the leopards in front of the vehicles. The Nkoveni female and her cubs show no sign of worry about the vehicles.
Gosh! As always, Kirst, a plethora of fine shots. Both the Nottens portrait and the white fronted bee-eater stand out. I remember being startled and dazzled when, during a sundowner stop, a charm of white fronted bee-eaters flew UP towards the group from a Sand River cliff.
Timing! That shot of the white fronted bee eater is one for the ages.
And that elephant calf looks like he is an entry into a Koala impersonation contest!
How can a picture of the above being left as “second choice ” ? Very difficult. From the start it hits you and takes you into the wolf of lions the subadult playing, I love the “embrace ” and the fall! The adult male lions in supeeb conditions and the fading Avoca male are a dramatic contrast. The zebra picture is just extremely beautiful! Leopards are always at the top, and seeing the relatives to the original one and the lovely cubs is just wonderful. The little Three Rivers female, who knows, is she just a calm cub or so soft and sweet? The elephant calf is great! Also the adults pictures, spectacular. The birds are always striking. The wild dog cub looks sifter than other pictures and the colours are very well melt. The adults reflex in thewater is a nice photo, wven much more the impressive Maxime male… waiting to see how the cubs develop
the baby ellie is just the sweetest!!! great shot of the bee-eater! and love the lion kings love for each other 😉 Is the Avoca male on the older side or do you think he’s sick? 🙁
Awesome photos this week, Kirst! I love the arty zebra shot and the impressive look of the Nottens male. What’s happened to the Nweti male? Maxim’s male is looking imposing as ever and the reflection image is quite wonderful – as are all the lion shots!
Hi Kirst all you photos are stunning this week in Twip. My favorite is the Nkoveni female crossing the road in front of Ranger Jess with her two cubs. They are getting so big so quickly.
Kirst, Thanks for the great update and wonderful images! It must be so exciting with all the lion & leopard cubs everywhere you turn! Our favorite image is the the two young lions hugging! So cute (for now!)
Hi Kris
I do love all your great photos. And my favourites are theKambulas embracing each other, the boisterous little elephant, the fantastic shot of the white fronted bee-eater, leopard mothers with cubs, the Ndhazenga lions, just to mention some.
Such a sweet little elephant calf. The Nottens male is so handsome. He appears quite large for a 2-year old, but maybe that’s just an optical illusion. His face is instantly recognizable.
I’m concerned about the Avoca male. Is there any evidence to suggest an injury? If his mane is thinning, there must be an underlying condition presenting besides having just gone a couple days without a good meal.
You’ve done it again Kirst, terrific TWIP! Each of your photos is special in its own way but timing skill and artistry set a few apart for me: the incredible capture of the White-fronted bee eater, as well as the series of the young playful Kambula youngsters and the comical look of the baby elephant. Add to these your stunning portraits of the Nottens male who is a carbon copy of his father Nweti, plus the Maxims male, both young and healthy contrasting with the old Avoca male who looks well beaten down. I love detail shots so your zebra is an automatic favorite and who can resist cubs with their moms?! Terrific work!
Terrific TWIP Kirst!! I loved the zebra capture, and the rare opportunity to see the western osprey makes it especially memorable. That said, I loved the leopard shots!!!
I’m so happy to be able to watch Three Rivers journey. She has an amazing story. And of course the baby elephant looks full of mischief AND confidence. So wanting to see it all again. Thanks Kirst!!
Dear Kirst, what a fantastic TWIP-so many different images- leopards are beutiful. My favorite image is the elephant calf, and a sensational shot of the bee-eater-respect.
I just love the photos of the Kambula sub adults wrestling. Thank you Kirst.
Super photos and no gore !!!
best wishes
Ian