With nature’s calendar dictating the start of spring last week, and the first drizzle of rain already – we are officially in a new season. The changes are subtle, but there nonetheless. With the promise of new vegetation and water on the horizon, an abundance of game has come out. The sunsets and sunrises continue to bath the reserve in golden hues and are a favourite this time of year. Let’s not forget the returning migratory birds!
The highlight of the week: Maxim’s Male and Piccadilly Female mating! Rather strangely this has been a prolonged period, with sightings of the pair on multiple occasions over the past three weeks.
The Nkoveni Female and Cubs continue to spoil us with curiosity and playfulness, as the Nkoveni Female herself shows her hunting prowess by taking advantage of the recent winds to make numerous kills. The Three Rivers Female and her cub are thriving and equally as successful. Recently the Ndzazeni Female has been seen several times in the deep southwest of the reserve
On the lion front: the Kambula Pride has been seen on all corners of the reserve, highlighting the size of their territory, and the Ndzhenga Males continue to split their time between both the Kambula Pride and the Ntsevu Pride. Highlights here include multiple shots of lions drinking. The Ntsevu Young Female (breakaway) has been spending time with the Styx Male, with an incredible sighting of them hunting buffalo
Big herds of elephants and multiple giraffes have been drawn to the freshwater, making for frequent sightings. A rare moment for me this week was seeing a giraffe drinking, it is always a special sight.
Finally, a personal highlight—my first time seeing a female cheetah with cubs! She’s currently raising three cubs in the southwest of the reserve, and it’s a sighting I’ll never forget.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week in Pictures…
The soft golden light of spring enhances any sighting, no more so than as the Ndzanzeni Females glances up into the tree she is resting under
Royal descendant of Mother Leopard lineage. Remarkable single cub success story who overcame injury to continue the royal bloodline.
The eyes of a gentle giant.
Green and gold: caution dictates the Nkoveni Female approaches water with care.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
Dark and moody, the ominous crocodile.
Sunrise and Saddle-billed storks
An almost perfect reflection in the early morning light as the Nkuwa Young Male takes the opportunity to quench his thirst.
The serendipity: as we turned away from the male, behind us the setting sun and this female giraffe loomed, no surprises about the oxpecker.
A muster of Yellow-billed Storks perched near a waterhole atop a dead tree.
The Three River’s Female Cub grows bigger each day and her chances of survival increase with each meal she has.
The Ntsevu Young Female stares off into the distance as a herd of buffalo make their way away from a waterhole. Her movement and intent woke the Styx Male from his slumber.
The Maxim’s Male narrowly escapes the claws of the Piccadilly Female having just mated!
Fairly skittish male that is presumed to have come from the Kruger National Park.
Golden-coated of Sunsetbend lineage, this female is gradually expanding her presence south of the Sand River into Londolozi.
Not 15 minutes after the previous photo, the Styx Male managed to catch a small calf left behind from the rest of the herd. A truly incredible sighting!
The female Nkoveni Cub is always curious, climbing trees, and alert as she learns more about the world around her. A key developmental phase for leopard cubs.
A seldom seen and even less seen owl – a Southern White-faced Owl! The huge orange eyes show the nocturnal prowess of these unique birds.
Bloodied and tired from the hunt – one of the two males from the now pack of two rests on the side of a termite mound.
Few sights are as impressive as a male lion walking with determination. From sleeping male lions, to drinking and then on the move, this was an amazing sighting!
Golden hues and the Ndzanzeni Female
The ever-impressive Maxim’s Male during a brief respite in the mating bouts.
Seldom-seen details of an elephant elbow
The greenery and water of the Sand river attract all manner of antelope at this time of year, none less so than an impressive waterbuck bull!
A herd of elephants stretch their trunks out for cleaner water away from the edge.
Before moving off to mark their territory, the two Ndzhenga Males briefly stopped to have a drink.
A vulnerable position for giraffes, not only does the blood flow to their heads but at risk of predators – seeing a giraffe drink is not a common occurrence.
Oxpeckers are never far from giraffes, offering a great example of a symbiotic relationship
Sunset, a beautiful mahogany tree and the Ndzanzeni Female.
Leopard mating is an intense affair, and this is probably my favourite image that I have captured to show the process!
The impressive size difference of the Maxim’s Male and the Piccadilly Female.
Similarly, the three cheetah cubs are exploring the world around them. Bloodied by their impala kill, this young cub takes the opportunity, and as her mom would – uses any slight elevation to scan the surrounding grassland.
A large and very impressive buffalo bull, note the milk right eye.
A Kambula Lioness pauses before she laps up some water – giving us a perfect reflection in the dark water below.
The Nkoveni Young Female rests atop a termite mound watching over her sibling and mother.
Seeing the two Ndzhenga Males (after Ray and Veatence) tracked them, was a highlight of our stay. We loved watching them drinking, walking, nuzzling, and marking their territory. Until the next time!
I love the colour surrounding the photo of the crocodile. Having seen the Three Rivers Female cub in June, she appears to be happy and healthy. But I feel for the declining Pack of 2 painted dogs. How weary life must be for them now. But nothing makes my day more than seeing the Ndzhenga males. Wonderful photos Keagan!
Wonderful TWIP Keagan. As always, hard to choose a favourite, so I’ve picked 3 – Ndzanzeni in the tree, the all-action one of Maxim’s and Piccadilly post-mating, and the gorgeous reflection in the waterhole of the young Nkuwa male. Is he fully independent now, and is his brother still around?
Hi, I definitely miss the right time at Londolozi! Many of my favourites are there… Many of these pictures might be called “reflections “. A play of colours, light and water reflections. I got immediately my jaw dropped as I saw the Ndzanzeni female, the last hope for the royal heritage, and she’s so beautiful with her special eyes and coat marking and colours, dark nose and fine traits. The cubs are absolutely the stars, the Three Rivers young female… how can you resist? Of course you for, but she almost looks as if she were waiting to be petted or sweetly talked to… the Nkoveni Female’s male cub is the great absent, his sister in turn has a present and future career as a top.model she’s a real poser. The cheetah cub is just adorable! I’m glad they are all fine. Great pictures of leopards, lions, elephants (super eye close-up and fierce male buffalo. The giraffes are always a quiet relaxing and comforting presence. The waterbuck is so beautiful and regal. The crocodile picture looks really a bit unsettling. The Maxim’s male is impressive, but his look isn’t as self-assured as other dominant male. Maybe the mating lasts for so long because the Piccadilly female is particularly fertile now and they want to be sure of the success. Older females often have more cubs
… they both have large white and gold parts. Very nice couple! Compliments for these super subjects, add the Tsalala and the Mashaba female and the list is complete!
Impressive TWIP Keagan! I was amazed to see the size difference between the Maxims male and Piccadilly female. Until you see them side by side, the size differential is not that apparent. It was good to see Ndzanzeni female as she seems to have moved further away from the main traversing area, down in the south. Nkoveni’s cubs are approaching her size, illustrating what an amazing mother she is. The cheetah cub is adorable and good to know that three are still remaining out of her litter. I’ve placed them on my wish list to see in the week ahead….. on vera. Your sunrise images are stunning, filling me with anticipation to capture my own views during the next week. There’s nothing better than sunrise in or next to the Sand River!!
Awesome way to start my day back in the (almost boring compared to your week!)…USA!! Loved the photos. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen Leopards mating, a Giraffe drinking, a Cheetah Cub and a wise old Owl!! Thanks for the show!
Keagan, great pictures this week. My favorite is the shot of the giraffe and the oxpecker framed by the setting sun.
A very special TWIP, thanks Keags. No chance of choosing a favourite – they are all special .the light in all the pictures is amazing.
I just have to comment on this blog! The variety of pictures is incredible. This is pure love for nature. Above all there is so much feeling in these pictures which to me shows the kind of connection you have to nature. Nearly impossible to narrow down to the top five favourites: the Southern white-faced owl, the Ndzenga male walking, the waterbuck, the drinking giraffe, and the Kambula lioness drinking. Thank you for sharing and adding warmth to our day!
We were so lucky to observe TWO giraffes drinking on our 2022 visit. Regarding your photos, the poor, tired wild dog drew my attention as did the elephant elbow.
Lots of stunning leopard shots, great sympathy for the wild dogs, and a lovely crocodile photograph
I love all your photos, Keagan. Sensational! Such a variety of animals, and such great cat pictures.
All the colors seems particularly spectacular this time year! Beautiful photos!
Keagan such impressive photos this week in TWIP. My favorite would be the Nkoveni female cub lying on a termite mound. Secondly the Nkuwa leopard and that stunning reflection in the water. I loved the waterbuck as well. My goodness but the Maxim’s male is a huge leopard compared to the Piccadilly female. Sunrise photo definitely a bonus.
Well done Keagan, you are really developing a good photographer’s eye for shot selection and composition!
Dear Keagan, TWIP is wonderful, so many good news about the lepards- but my favorite ist the scene with the landing oxspecker on the giraffe in that light. What do you think about the difference between Z6 and D 850? The detail shots are amazing.
Great TWIP Keagan! So many wonderful images and unbelievable variety in setting and composition. That said, I think my favorite is the back-lit female giraffe with the oxpecker right above!