The start of Autumn.
The autumn days are in full swing all around us here at Londolozi. The rainy clouds still persist, the autumn sunrises are shades of pink, purple, gold and greys, and the recent blood full moon created magical witchy skies. The sky and landscape settings that I managed to capture this week in my pictures seemed to be that out of a children’s bedtime storybook. The lights and sky have been dreamy, to say the least. One of my favourite views and rituals this time of year is to drive onto an open crest and watch the sunrise while the scenes of nature unfold in a dance around us.
The animals have been enjoying the cooler weather (me too) which has been exciting for us as the animals are getting active- patrolling their territories, as well as hunting and feeding a little longer into the mornings and earlier in the afternoons. The Xinkhova Female has been seen around the Sand River just east of camp which now seems to be becoming her territory, we have been seeing at least three different packs of painted dogs moving in and out of Londolozi and elephants everywhere! It has been a week full of action and oh did I mention, elephants!
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy this week in pictures…
The Xinkhova Female launches herself out of the shadows into the most amazing golden light as she ascends a large marula tree. The following sequence was incredible to witness.
Born 2021, daughter of Nkoveni. Young dynamo actively claiming territory near camps, showing promise as next generation's dominant female.
Just how graceful she looked as she made quick work of getting up into this tree.
With each leap and bound, she shot up with such ease.
I love her paw in this photo.
The last stretch and she was up in the V of the tree.
A different angle. Usually, we are so focused on getting the right shot of the leopard’s face that we disregard the rest of the leopard’s body. Here, I went a bit abstract with just the Xinkhova Female’s tail and clouds.
The golden sunrise paints the grass gold. If you look closely you will see there are two zebras walking through the golden grass.
A dark sunrise reflects in the Sand River while a Saddle-billed Stork fishes along the banks of the river.
A dreamy moment with the Xinkhova Female. The sun was rising causing a pink/purple backdrop as she rested after a night full of adventures.
A large herd of elephants walks through the open grasslands of Londolozi while the swallows swoop around them and the sun starts to set behind the gloomy clouds.
The Toulon Pack rests and listens on the Londolozi airstrip after they had just chased a herd of impala. They often scatter in the hunt and after the hunt they wait for the rest of the pack to join or listen out if any of the pack members were successful. I love how they always seem concerned for the missing pack members and will wait for them before they move on.
After leaving the sighting of the Xinkhova Female up in the marula tree, I turned back to have a quick look. This scene was what I was graced with. Once everyone’s attention was drawn to this magical moment. We all sat in awe and watched the light disappear behind her. I love how it appears as though the Xinkhova Female was watching the sunset too.
A pink moon rises. The clouds in the sky combined with the almost full moon remind me of a witchy sky.
The Xinkhova Female rests in the safety of a marula tree as the storm clouds roll in.
Moody skies and the Xinkhova Female.
After waiting for the missing pack member the Toulon Pack races in response as the missing pack member hoo calls looking for the pack. I tried to get a motion blur in this shot.
Elephant herds roaming through the open grassland landscapes. We have been so fortunate to see so many different elephants everywhere on Londolozi at the moment. We have been especially fortunate to see huge herds all together at once.
A lone buffalo bull stands in the Sand River while Red-billed Oxpeckers feed on ticks that are latched onto him. The still water allowed for a reflection of the buffalo in the water.
Two elephant bulls fight in the glow. These two bulls approached each other in combat amongst a herd of females to establish dominance and impress the females. I love how both their tails are high in the air.
This image’s purpose was to silhouette these giants against the bright sky. Right in the middle of the photo is a male elephant approaching a female and I like how there is a lens flare at that shared moment between the two elephants.
Another dramatic sunset with a herd of buffalo. We had parked our vehicle at a low angle to get this shot of the landscape and the single buffalo up on a termite mound.
A buffalo sunset. I love the red-billed oxpeckers that are flying off these two buffalo.
We were fortunate enough to be on the drive with Jess and Advice last week when she took these amazing photos of the Xinkhova female which was one of 4 leopards we saw during our trip (other highlights including seeing the rest of the Magnificent 7 including a wild dog impala kill up close which was something else!). Jess and Advice were such a fantastic ranger/tracker combo, their knowledge and skills evidently top drawer, and our children Chloe and Benjamin talk about them and the trip constantly and are already saving up to go back one day
Wow Jess what amazing shots. Each are extremely cinematic. I love most of all the 2nd photo in the sequence of the Xinkhova female ascending the tree where not a part of her is actually in touch with the tree. Brilliant. Kudos to you.
I also like the photo where you just see her hindquarters.
Pretty skies this week! My favorite is the Xinkhova female’s silhouette in the tree with the sun setting in the background. So magical.
Hi Jess, the Xinkova female ‘s sequence is absolutely perfect! And all landscapes and lights, it seems that elephants are endless… so lovely all their activities! The buffalo reflected in the water is also poetic and melancholic. I must choose the witchy moon, I don’t resist to the moon and with such lights… and the Saddle billed stork silhouette, as well as the last one of the buffalo. I love pictures with dramatic landscapes and animal and trees black silhouettes. The dreamy Xinkova is also a poetry.
Hi Jess, your photo’s are stunning and the colours are beautiful. Love the Xinkhova female, she is such beautiful leopardess. The sunrise photo is extraordinary and the photo with the sunset with the oxpeckers flying off is stunning.
Fantastic photos, jess. I love all of them. These wonderful skies, the pink moon, the lovely movements of the Xinkhova female, the big herds of elephants… One of my favorites is the one of the bull reflected in the river.
By the way, is the Xinkhova’s sister still somewhere around? These leopards are such beautiful animals.
Terrific images Jess – you certainly took advantage of the changing weather and skies. I really like your sunset photos, using the light to silhouette your subjects, especially the one with lens flare on the bull elephant. Any photos of leopards make me happy and yours of Xinkhova are great. Since her sister has had two cubs, it makes me wonder if Xinkhova is ready to mate….just four more days and I hope that my brother and I will be able to see such glorious skies and backgrounds as you’ve highlighted this week.
Jess. Your “look back” at the Xinkhova Female might be one of my all time favorites!!!
I love your photos this week, Jess! The magical light in this collection should be exhibited at a gallery!
Spectacular photos, Jess. Hard to choose, but my favourite has to be Xinkhova in the marula tree with the gorgeous sunset behind her…..stunning!
I love your photos Jess, especially the string that show the Xinkhova Female launching herself up the tree. And the last one in the string that shows her tail… you’re right, not often the end that you focus on but really works in this sequence!
Thank you Jess, lovely photos
Great pictures this week Jess. my favorite is the lone buffalo with his reflection.
I love the photo of the stork fishing on the Sand River. So peaceful and inviting…
Jess, Thanks for sharing your amazing set of images! We loved seeing all the focus on Xinkhova and also the sunsets! Bravo!