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
This female is a success story all in herself, being born as a single cub to the Riverbank 3:3 female in early 2012.
The eyes of a gentle giant.
Green and gold: caution dictates the Nkoveni Female approaches water with care.
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.
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.
This female is most often encountered near the Sand River to the east of the Londolozi camps.
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.
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on The Week In Pictures #669