It has been a long time since I have had some dedicated, uninterrupted time in the wilderness to focus solely on capturing the wildlife and landscapes of Londolozi. I spend most of my time these days shooting with a much shorter lens and much more human subjects. I was lucky, however, to take the opportunity to spend 10 days on a vehicle with the now legendary Sean Zeederberg (famous all over the globe, evident by the praise and admiration he receives from our many wonderful international guests who bump into him on game drive and sing his praises – a treat to witness firsthand) and two members of our now extended creative family. With no time pressures to return back to the office and a rusty wildlife photography eye to dust off, I thoroughly enjoyed spending time out there in exploration.
With extended time in the wilderness, I am reminded of the original ways of photography. The simple truths of the art form that get forgotten in the pursuit of bigger and better gear and an appetite for more – more shots, faster shutter speeds, higher resolutions and longer lenses. The simplicity of this age-old art form is, instead, celebrated by remembering that understanding the animals and their behaviour patterns, knowing your camera gear backwards and forwards– no matter how entry level or expensive it may be, and understanding the basic principles of photography will yield far greater results, and a more enjoyable and soulful time.
I was reminded to move with deliberate slowness, in rhythm with the pace of nature. I entered into a conversation conducted in silence, patience, and profound respect for what unfolded around me. Never rushed (except when on the fresh tracks of a leopard) – taking my time to reveal the essence and presence of a creature or the hidden patterns that animate, or even annotate, the natural world. I practiced a rare form of attention – often spending hours in a wordless state as we waited for life to unfold as it needed to around us. This practice changed me. It made me notice the subtle movements of the clouds casting voluminous shadows on a bright green landscape far away. It allowed me to drive past the same tree every day and yet notice something completely new each time. I began to perceive the world differently, to see the richer, more textured spirit of this place that can so easily go unnoticed, and that which the gift of time can only give you—alert yet relaxed, focused yet receptive. Alive. Alive. Alive.
I was once again reminded that embarking on a game drive is like being part of a living story unfolding around me. Each sound, call, bent over piece of grass or track in the sand is a part of this unfolding. The way that time bends, slows, and can even disappear when you are in the complete presence of animals adds to the excitement and exhilaration of putting together the clues that might lead you to something new and wonderful as the story’s end.
Among just some of the characters of this week’s story are the Nkhoveni female and her young cub who provided multiple opportunities for photography. A particular highlight was the gift of seeing the Ngungwe female leopard with her two brand-new cubs after days of persistence, a morning of patience and putting our tracking skills to the test. A lucky moment with a Goliath heron, a joyful hour with a herd of elephants swimming, and the abundant scenes of a pack of wild dogs, an elephant, one of my favourite clearings on the property, and swallows flying all about.
All of this was a constant reminder that what we do here on the Londolozi blog is a vital bridge, connecting those of you far away to landscapes and beings that might otherwise never be experienced. This is something I never take for granted. It was an absolute privilege to have had this time to photograph the wild for you and to share it on one of the most beloved blog posts of the week- a kind of alchemy transforming light, shadow, sunshine, and creatures into connection that can be shared far and wide no matter where you find yourself today.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
The abundance of summer with swallows in flight, a bull elephant and a pack of wild dogs sharing the same clearing
The Nkoveni Female Leopard feeding on a young impala high up in a marula tree. We often get so caught up with the close-ups that we forget to take in the whole scene. I loved the dappled, dramatic light across the horizon and the small scale of the leopard in a larger landscape
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
The Nkoveni Young Male was almost completely obscured by summer grass at the base of the same tree that his mother was feeding in.
There is something about the dapples of the leopard’s rosettes in and amongst the dappled sunlight of a tree for me
An impressive Goliath Heron. Right place, right time, fast fingers and luckily the right settings. My main concern with birds in flight is always shutter speed and aperture. Always check your ISO settings are high enough for your shutter to fire, and the aperture settings are set to slightly more closed down than normal to ensure that you get the full depth of field of the bird in flight.
I couldn’t choose which one was my favourite… which is yours?
The same Goliath Heron but at a different, more slender angle.
Once again, the Nkoveni Female Leopard provided some incredible photographic opportunities. This was a photographer’s dream with the soft pinks of the evening light. She hopped up onto this fallen log and stayed a while, looking out for a herd of impala nearby.
The same female leopard alert, yet relaxed.
We were lucky that the height of the fallen tree was such that we were able to get an eye-level angle of her stare. Many people say that the direct stare of a leopard is one of the most moving things they will ever experience.
Perhaps an odd choice for a TWIP selection, but I love this image. If you have ever driven around the reserve in the soft afternoon light and stared over at the horizon, you will recognise the feeling of this shot. The huge puffy storm clouds were building and the sun was casting contrasted shadows amongst the shades of summer greens.
I hope that everyone gets to experience the raw joy of elephants swimming purely for fun at least once in their lifetime
Cooling off and fuelling up after his swim, this young bull made for a beautifully contrasted shot against the green foliage
Just splashing around. Elephants swim for fun – yet another fact about these incredible animals that interests me.
A still frame of the dance of two giraffe bulls necking
The dramatic summer skies – whether they are blue or black – are so beautifully contrasted against the green vegetation. The perfect stances of these two giraffes added an architectural feeling to this landscape
The Ngungwe Female Leopard with one of her young cubs suckling in a dry river bed. This was our reward for persistence, patience and sheer intent. It was incredible to watch this new mother with her cubs.
Born 2020 during lockdown to Piccadilly Female. Once skittish, now confident mother denning her first litter in Marthly's rocky terrain.
The rainbow that lead us to believe that there might be a pot of gold (or a leopard and her cubs) nearby
Captivated by the dappled light – always.
Another example of how taking in the whole scene creates something different.
Forced into early independence at 11 months. Despite her small size, she's proven resilient, currently raising a cub in SE Londolozi.
The Three Rivers Female in a high vantage point surveying the landscape
The Nkoveni Young Male with a very rare find, all of his own. What strikes me about this young male is how similar his green and blue eyes are to his grandmother, the Mashaba Female. The ability to know leopards on an individual level as well as part of a broader family tree is something truly unique to Londolozi
Punching a little above his weight, the young male was not quite sure what to do with his find.
Slowing down to notice the myriad of textures and colours found in nature
A photograph will never do the sunsets in Africa justice. And yet every evening I try.
The dream team of wildlife content creators, photographers, and cinematographers. It was a joy to spend extended hours with this team just enjoying and appreciating nature together each day.
Absolutely awe inspiringly beautiful photographs. Thanks Amanda, top drawer. For me the 2 that stand out of the Goliath Heron (they are all brilliant) is firstly where you see the water falling off its feet as it takes off and the second one with its legs trailing straight out back with its afterburners on.
Hi Amanda, firstly you made a masterpiece of most wanted pictures and lovely details of vegetation. Then, as I liked James Tyrrell’s master writing (I remember so well the ones on the Tsalala stories and the Mapogo and Majingilane end), he was the best story teller, I equally appreciate Sean and particularly remember his sensitivity in helping a honey badger along with James Souchon. To attentive readers, such rangers will never be forgotten. I think Reece Beeler is another going to be that way and you are, of course. I love the Goliath heron the second picture, you see all his body perfectly and it’s such an elegant perfectly in time image. Then the thorn bush- yes, why not? Animals are to tolerate flash, but sometimes manage to evade.it can’t so: touch me not! Obviously leopards (the tiny new ones!!) ,elephants are my favourite, always, and the giraffe duo looks like a dance….
Hi Amanda, the first 4 photo’s of the giant heron is my favorite. Your photography is excellent and you photographed a variety of different animals. Love Nkoveni female and her male cub. Also the Ngungwe female with her cubs are always a treat to see these little fur balls. Elephants are such beautiful mammals and I love watching them playing in water. James Tyrrell was the Ranger before Sean and I loved his humor and stricking video’s and photos. Sad day when James left, but Sean is equally good in giving us super video’s and photos. Both of then are Super Heroes world wide and we appreciate their work, as your contribution this week Amanda.
So many wonderful pictures. Some of my favorites are the Goliath Heron, ellies in the water and some leopard pictures. Thank you for sharing.
I thought I got a gorgeous picture of a Goliath Heron at Addo this week – but darn – nothing like these! It is official, I want my ashes scattered at Londolozi!
What gorgeous photos you’ve given us for TWIP Amanda! And I love your point about sometimes viewing a whole scene rather than a close up….that image of Nkoveni in a tree is stunning as it puts her in context as part of the beautiful landscape. It’s so easy to forget that and zoom in all the time.
By the way, I’m fascinated by the blue and white stripey parasol on Sean’s vehicle. Are they serving ice-creams, or is it more of a beach cocktail vibe? (please don’t tell me it’s just to protect the camera equipment, as that’s a really boring answer).
Fabulous week Amanda! The colors are so beautiful! Especially love the ellies in the water, the rainbow and the Nkoveni Female wide shot w/ the pink sky 🙂
My favourite photo is of the 2 giraffes.
Amanda, You claimed that you may have been out of touch with your wildlife images, but you would not know it from the shots you shared! You have such a great eye for detail and the diversity of the images you shared is proof! We added a few of them to our favorites. As far as our favorites (there are so many!), we would have to say the two full shots of our Nkoveni – the first one in the Marula tree, and the other in the fallen tree. Those two are spectacular and you need to make a large prints of them to put up someplace special! We hope to see you when we are at Londoz in June! 🤞
Adorable photos, Amanda
I love all the photos of the Goliath heron , really great photos, as are all the others.
As leopards are my favorite animals, I really enjoyed the photos of all my “best friends”
This TWIP was not only a collection of beautiful photographs, but written by someone else who is truly connected with nature. I was mesmerized by the end of your first paragraph and I didn’t stray until I viewed the last. I am one who likes the big picture, spending more time focusing on what I’m seeing, rather than zooming in for only close-ups, so I really enjoyed your all encompassing images. Actually I was immediately impressed by your first Goliath close up as I liked the detail in his white feathers as he was taking off. However, as I’ve learned through my own photography experiences, favorites are always subjective so now I print what I like and not what I think others might prefer. I’m thrilled to be returning to Londolozi in a couple of weeks, this time with my brother, so he can feel the Londolozi Effect, and if lucky, see a few new cubs!! Thank you for sharing your images and feelings!!
Hi Amanda, Fantastic photos! Very artistic! You really have the feeling! My favorite was the Nkoveni Young male almost completely obscured by summer grass. I think it is a fantastic photo! So artistic!
I also liked very much the photo of The Ngungwe Female Leopard with one of her cubs, so private… Fantastic!
Of the two photos taken on the Goliath Heron I preferr the first one. I think it is charming the second photo is more perfect. It is also very good. Beautiful colours!
The photo of the rainbow was magical…
Thank you for sharing!
Good to see you back behind the camera, Amanda. Wonderful images and, you’re right, there’s nothing quite like Nkoveni’s direct stare!