As we approach the end of the year, we wait in anticipation for the rains to come and ignite life back into the bush.
Although we have had brief stints of rain over the past week, we still haven’t had the massive downpours that really kick starts the rainy season. With the small amounts of rain that we have had, the bush has already began to feel more clean as it has settled the dust that has been lingering all winter. The cloudy conditions this week has given the us a soft feel when photographing the amazing subject that Londolozi has to offer.
Leopards this week have been out of this world. In the North, we found the Tortoise Pan Male who took a break from a territorial patrol to quench his thirst before posing beautifully on a termite mound. The Piccadilly Female bumped into a hyena while moving through Marthly. Her daughter the Nungwe Female had a hoisted impala on the banks on the Sand River. Heading further South, the ever illusive Maxims Males showed himself in the open long enough to capture a couple photos. The Nottens Male is making a name for himself in the Deep South East as he was found feeding on a warthog with a hyena (keep an eye out for my next blog on this sighting). The Nkoveni Female and her two youngsters treated us to an epic afternoon as they made their way to a kill.
The Ntsevu Males ventured back to their old territory where they managed to kill a kudu. We haven’t seen them in this area for some months now. The Ottawa Pack with their pups have been wreaking havoc around Londolozi. With the new pups, there is potential for them to become a massive pack once again.
The Makhatini Female and her cubs continue to grow. The area they are occupying in the southwest has definitely been good to them. The Bee Eater colony is still going strong, and the number of giraffes around at the moment is amazing.
With the rainy season arriving any day now, I look forward to the bush bursting with life.
Enjoy This Week in Pictures….
The Ngungwe Female stares down at us from the Ebony tree she had stored her impala kill in.
Young inquisitive beautiful female, bordering on independence as of November 2021
A young elephant enjoying the perennial Sand River During the severe heat.
The Maxims Male stares at us from a distance as he moves through a clearing. Seeing this Male in clearings isn’t a sight we are too accustomed to.
Fairly skittish male that is presumed to have come from the Kruger National Park.
Quite an unusual sight, seeing an African fish eagle in the Sand River drinking.
The Nkoveni Female listening intently as impala alarm call in the distance.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
The Piccadilly Female Snarls at an approaching hyena.
Golden-coated of Sunsetbend lineage, this female is gradually expanding her presence south of the Sand River into Londolozi.
A White Fronted Bee Eater sitting patiently on a branch for any hunting opportunities.
I hadn’t seen the Tortoise Pan Male for a couple of months till we found him at this body of water where he quenched his thirst before going on a territorial patrol.
The scaring on his nose makes him seem a lot more formidable.
Born in 2016, this male spent his early years in the south-east of Londolozi, but began moving further afield in late 2019.
One of the Ottawa Packs pups watching as the rest of the pups play.
The Makhatini Female and her cubs have been great value over the past couple of months. it’s incredible witnessing them grow.
The Makhatini Female locks onto some impala moving on the ridge behind us.
The Nottens Male snarling at an approaching buffalo who were trying to chase him off his warthog kill.
Later that afternoon, he attended hoisting the warthog. Stayed Tuned for my next blog where I give a blow by blow of the events of that day with the Nottens Male.
A splitting image of his father the Nweti Male. He is a young leopard roaming the southern extent of Londolozi at the moment.
The Ntsevu Males graced us with their presence again in the south western parts of the reserve a couple days ago. They are looking extremely impressive.
After drinking, they all moved off to some shade where they could rest after finishing a kudu they had killed the night before.
A young Giraffe feeds with the sunrise in the background.
One of Nkoveni Females Cubs stares up at the vehicle as they move past.
The Young Female calling her brother and mother with excitement as she knew they were getting led to food.
The three of the drinking on their way to an impala kill she had killed early that day.
The Nkoveni Female continues to raise these two cubs with such grace.
Wonderful pictures this week, Patrick. The pictures of the leopards are some of my favorites, although, the white fronted bee eater is a great shot.
Favorites are: White Fronted Bee Eater and Nkoveni Females Cubs
Definitely you experienced some fantastic leopard sightings as evidenced by your TWIP. Tortoise span is a favorite male of mine and I was amazed by his size now. It would be interesting to see him next to Maxim and Nweti for a comparison – never would happen but I’m guessing he’s almost as large if not the same size.
Favorites this week include the White-fronted bee eater, Ngungwe, the Ntsevu male with his reflection and of course the cubs of Makatini and Nkoveni.
Great post and beautiful images! It was great to see you again.
Fun, fun blog, Patrick! Some wonderful images – the impressive Ntsevu male, the growling Nottens male and the amazing Maxim’s male are my favorites. Thanks.
There are some weeks when I just want to stare and stare. This is one of them. Truly mesmerizing! Thank you!!
Hi Patrick, what a joy, to see so many leopards thriving and even raising cubs successfully! The Nkoveni Female picture is a hit, along with her cubs that are grace in person. All leopards are stunning. The four cheetah are a miracle, I’m so glad anytime you publish pictures and news. They have a regal pose even when cubs. Delightful! Gorgeous Ntsevu males, they sport beauty and elegance in their strength and power. Love the giraffe, they are dwindling too, so if you see many that’s a great news. Nice images of birds, the young elephant playing in the water is always entertaining, elephants pictures in water offer the best of them. Thank you for this beauties in spots and rosettes… and all the news
Dear Patrick, another wonderful TWIP- a lot of leopards on the way. Do you know what happens with Tortoise Pan and the nose?Nkoveni is the perfect mother. Merci for it.
Patrick your photographic skills continue to be top notch … great shots of all the cats. Each year your pictures get better and better and your composition skills are terrific!
Hi Patrick, wow lots of beautiful images from you this week. Tortoise Pan male with his scared noise is seems to be okay with screw noise. Loved Nkoveni and her two cubs. Giraffe eating early in the morning image is stunning. So glad to hear Londolozi has had some bouts of rain. We have only had 32mm of rain and it is very dry and hot in Kranspoort. We have been restricted to use onlyn25kl of water per month per family as our dam is very low. Animals and bush is suffering.
I love all your pictures, Patrick! Such an amount of incredible leopard and cheetah sightings. And the Ottawa pack at Londolozi with new cubs. What a special treat for guests, trackers and rangers. A really great week in pictures. I hope that you will soon have some good rains to start off the summer season properly.
Superb photos, especially the bee eater and Patrick’s photo of the Maxim’s Male is exemplary . For most of us that is a once in a lifetime photo
The Makhatini Female and her cubs are stunning photos. I also like the Ntsevu male photos as well. Great TWIP Pat.
Great TWIP, thanks Pat. Can’t select a favourite – they’re all splendid.
Great selection of images for the week Patrick though it’s a shame the Nkoveni Female lost one of her cubs. What water body was the Tortoise Pan Male drinking at in that particular photo? Nanga Pan?
Fantastic images Patrick! So great to see multiple cubs doing well!!! Your shot of the Tortoise Pan Male straight on is impressive and our favorite!
Nkoveni Females Cub looking up at you in the B/W shot by far my fave this week! But all the shots w/ the beautiful hues of the season are fabulous!
The sweet face on that cheetah cub is precious. Have there a been any leopards who have successfully raised two intact litters? I guess the Nkoveni female’s most recent litter isn’t technically intact since the third cub was lost. But, if she is able to raise the remaining two, like she did with her two daughters previously, that would be impressive. Here’s hoping!
Great TWIP Patrick! My favorites, among many, are the shots of the Makhatini Female cheetah and her cubs, and the images of the Nottens Male! Cool shots of the fish eagle and bee eater as well!