Another week in the bush has come and gone, and as we move into early March there’s a noticeable seasonal shift underway. The days are slowly getting shorter, the early mornings carry a cooler edge, and there’s a sense that winter is beginning its gradual approach.
As is often the case with my picture selections, leopards remain the primary focus. They continue to be the highlight of many of my game drives and naturally, the reason my memory cards get full so quickly. Their ever-photogenic nature make them difficult to ignore. That said, there’s a healthy mix of other subjects woven throughout this week’s collection.
Elephants have been particularly abundant across the reserve lately. We spent some quality time with a few impressive bulls this week, who’ve made for excellent photographic subjects.
We were also fortunate to have a great sighting of a male cheetah that we hadn’t seen for several weeks. Encounters like that serve as a reminder of how dynamic the bush can be. Individuals can disappear for a time and then re-emerge just when you least expect it.
You’ll also notice a handful of black and white images included this week. I’ve been enjoying experimenting more with hi-key black and white, focusing on contrast, detail and texture rather than colour alone.
I hope you enjoy this week in pictures. Let me know which ones you like the most!
A large elephant bull crosses the Maxabene Riverbed behind us during our morning coffee break.
An African Goshawk perched in my garden to have a short midday rest. I managed to quietly open my window without him noticing to get this shot.
The beautiful Xinkhova Female leopard on a territorial patrol to the east of our camps. She paused to listen to a small herd of Kudu in the bush willow thickets some distance away. The early morning sun just catching her face.
A very small White Rhino calf, with the confidence of its mother being nearby came to have a better look at us.
A male cheetah rests atop an elevated point in the open grasslands. His eyes focused on a tiny zebra foal in the distance.
A first for me. This was quite a unique sighting of a mating pair of Spekes Hinged-back tortoises.
A young lioness from the Msuthlu pride keeps an eye on a herd of wandering impala in the distance. Lions never want to miss any opportunity for a potential meal.
Two elephant bulls attempt to assert dominance over one another on an open crest just to the south of our camps. It is incredible to witness how powerful these animals are.
Before descending a tall marula tree after feeding on a hoisted impala carcass, the Tinxiya Female leopard pauses to survey her surrounds.
The Xinkhova Female leopard perches on a fallen Marula tree scanning the valley below for any sign of the Nkoveni Female, her mother, who was rasping in the distance. Both of their territories now border one another, but contrary to popular belief these two females show no animosity between each other due to their family ties.
A classic scene from one of the open crests of the south eastern parts of the reserve. A lone elephant bull peacefully feeding on the lush grass after the rains.
One of my favourite species of migratory birds, the southern Carmine Bee-eater, and also most times the last summer migrant to arrive.
An unexpected encounter with this large buffalo bull who had just finished wallowing in the late afternoon heat of a hot summers day.
One of the Gijima Males keeps an eye on the movements of the Msuthlu pride as they started to show signs of getting active in the early hours of the evening.
After a missed attempt on a small bachelor herd of impala, this male cheetah rests for a brief moment to catch his breath.
The Tinxiya Female leopard ambles along the Maxabene riverbed in search of a comfy, cool place to rest for the day.
A large elephant bull presented us with some great photographic opportunities as he stayed out in the open for quite some time.
The Tinxiya female leopard is slowly starting to become one of my favourite leopards across the reserve. Her relaxed nature provides some of the most incredible leopard viewing found within the region. Here she rests high up in a Marula tree surveying her surroundings on a cool windy day.
A special sighting of the full compliment of the Msuthlu pride and both Gijima males. This was late morning and the heat had already set in. Moments after this picture was taken, they had all joined the rest of the pride who were sleeping in the shade, out of frame here.
After many unsuccessful attempts at calling for the Shingi Male, her son, the Nkoveni Female leopard ascended a tall dead leadwood tree in the hopes that calling from above an elevated perspective above would be more successful, which indeed it was.
A beautiful selection of photographs, Matt. They are all good. Didn’t realise a man from Mtunzini had such skill. (Just kidding. I knew your town in the 1950’s.)
Hi Matt, stunning images this week and love the B/W as well. My favorite this week would be the Tinxiya female, she is such a beauty. The Xinkhova female is also a favorite of mine.
Hi Matt, this week, too beautiful subjects in superb frames and position to choose one… I can only say I’m over the moon to see the leopard offspring growing strong and beautiful, the elephant bulls are a spectacle and the lions especially the Gjima male in the wind, cheetah are always bonus, and the young rhino calf us absolutely fantastic! The buffalo bull alone, a pure force facing the open land with courage. The turtles mating are a different perspective and such a fun! To close up, the mythical Nkoveni by now a sign of certainty and stability in leopard nature and resilience….
I especially love your black and white edits of the elephant bull and Nkoveni female this week, Matt. And mating tortoises—how lucky you got to see them!
Great group of photos Matt. In the end it is a tie between the Gijima lion and Nkoveni leopard.
Both are exceptionally beautiful photos. Thanks!
Very nice pics. My favorite is also the Tinxiya female leopard, very expressive face.
Your black and white treatment in this series is stunning. I particularly love the one of the Gijima male lion. Well done
Hello Matt, Beautiful photos! Difficult to choose but I have three photos that are my favourites; the Tinxiya Female leopard when she ambles along the Maxabene riverbed… The large elephant bull are so impressive and The southern Carmine Bee-eater so beautiful!
Thank you for sharing!
Great slow opening of your window to get that Groshawk! And the carmine bee-eater is absolutely gorgeous!
So beautiful, your photos, Matt.
From a photographic point of view, I like the black and white Photo of the Gijima Male best. His mane and the grass form such a dramatic composition, fantastic.
Otherwise, I love the Goshawk, it is such a clear close up.
And, of course all the elephants, lions, cheetah and my absolute favourites, the leopards. The young generation are such beautiful animals. Can’t get enough of them.
Thanks for your wonderful collection of photos this week Matt. Just because it’s focused on one of the smaller animals and an unusual sighting, my first favorite is your mating tortoises. After that it’s not one, but all of your high key images – a personal favorite technique of mine. Your lion in high key is stunning! Kudos for your leopard and cheetah photos as well.
Beautiful set will be there in May! Getting so excited to photograph on my first Safari! Your captures inspire me.
Matt, your photographs are absolutely stunning. I don’t have a favorite, they are all gorgeous. I am enjoying looking at them for the third time. Excellent work!
Have any of the Makhatini family been seen lately? Is this male cheetah possibly the father of the 3 young nearly independent Makhatini’s?
Matt, great selection of images! What is the composition of the Msuthlu Pride now in terms of lionesses, sub-adults, and the sex ratio of the sub-adults? Thanks so much in advance!
Can’t pick a favorite this week Matt! Excellent shots! The very first bull pic is pretty stunning…love the b/w lion king and also a sucker for the bee-eaters 🙂
Thanks for the great photos Matt! One thing Ive always wondered is why the cheetahs don’t get names of their own? Are they not seen frequently enough?
Matt, thanks for sharing an amazing set of images. We’d love the diversity of different wildlife and the creative B&W you created of the Gijima Male! Bravo!
Super photos’ love the Cheetah photo in particular
Stunning photographs – sitting in the grey of the UK it is a joy to be transported to the beautiful bush at Londolozi and dream of being there. Thank you
All the B & W Photos all well done!