The heavy rainfall earlier this year has left the landscape looking fresh and full of life. The vegetation is still green and lush at a time when it would normally begin to dry out. There’s also a subtle shift in the air, with cooler mornings and the warm tones of winter sunrises and sunsets starting to shape the scenery.
This week’s photos reflect that change. I focused on capturing a variety of images, paying attention to contrast, detail, and how vehicle positioning could improve each shot. It was a bit different from my usual approach, as I aimed to take more photos and experiment with different angles and perspectives.
In the end, I selected the images that stood out to me the most – not just for what they show, but for how they were captured.
Let me know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
An overexposed background brings the viewer’s attention to the rosettes and different shades of the Xinzele Female.
A stunning female found in the north. Successfully raised the Thumbela Female while establishing dominance in NW Marthly.
A small gap through the mother’s legs allowed seeing this young elephant calf acquiring the necessary nutrients while suckling
Alarm calls of impala nearby helped us find the Tinxiya Female with a fresh impala kill. It is crucial to listen to the sounds of nature in order to often find certain animals like this leopard.
A confident and curious young leopard, that is nearing independence after a remarkable start to life alongside her resilient mother.
Incredible backlighting from an afternoon sunset on one member of a pair of wild dogs. Shortly after this photo, they successfully made a kill before the light faded.
The Mhangeni Pride feeding on a fresh wildebeest kill. The intensity in their eyes highlights the competition and aggression during feeding.
Four young hyenas are extremely inquisitive around their den. Fortunately, an adult was present, allowing the cubs to explore more freely.
An eye-level photo of the Three Rivers Female as she walks through a dry riverbed. The timing was perfect, capturing her mid-step with her paw raised and making direct eye contact. I prefer this image in colour.
Forced into early independence at 11 months. Despite her small size, she's proven resilient, currently raising a cub in SE Londolozi.
This is the same photo in black and white, which I also really enjoy.
What I really enjoy about this image is seeing the rest of the pride resting in the background. The intensity in the eyes of the two lions in front shows purpose in their movement, along with a sense of connection that reinforces their social bond.
A low-angle shot captures a crocodile resting on a small sandbank in the Sand River.
The Shingi Male walking through the open crests as the golden light of an autumn sunset touches his coat.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
A Rock Monitor rests in a crevice of a marula tree.
A spotted eagle perched on a small fallen log.
After devouring the kill, a lioness steps away from the carcass to catch her breath.
Fresh after an impala kill, the wild dogs move off to find a puddle of water to cool down and quench their thirst.
A fallen tree often provides leopards with a vantage point to scan their surroundings for prey. What I enjoy most here is the deep green background, which makes the golden coat stand out even more.
A different position as the Xinzele female gazes across the open landscape. Using the rule of thirds helps place her more effectively within the frame.
A natural air conditioner for an elephant. Their thin skin and large arteries play a crucial role in regulating body temperature.
Hi LGR. Thank you so much for putting up that very interesting TWIP for me to see and read. Although the Tsalala lioness did not feature in this week’s TWIP again at all, but though she’s given birth to her third litter of cubs on Singita, have you had any news from them to say how many cubs she’s given birth to there yet at all? As she birthed her cubs in early March, I’d think they’ll be about 7 weeks old by now, so hopefully it won’t be long now before you get to see her again with her new family in tow. She’ll be so great.
I don’t know how many cubs she’s got altogether in total, but due to how large and bloated her tummy was, I’d guess she had at least three or four cubs in her third litter so far. That will be so great a boost for the rebuilding of her pride.
It’ll be nice to think that she’ll raise her entire new family all the way to hard independence and adulthood successfully, and that her pride’s numbers will go back up to what they once were quite a few long years ago. That would be great.
I know she mated with the 2 Gajima males towards the end of last year, so I know her cubs are sired by them. I, like you, would not only love to see her bring her cubs onto your property, but also see how their fathers react to more of their newest offspring been introduced to them for the very first time. I’m so sure they’ll be hugely protective of them and their mother to secure the existence and dynasty of the Tsalala/Marthly pride as well as their future. Wouldn’t they? I hope the future and rebuilding of that pride will see them continue for many years to come and go very successfully.
I think the 10 year old Three Rivers female leopard is a new mum again now. She was viewed on MalaMala 9 times during last month, and on one occasion she was noted to have suckle marks and then another time, she was seen to be carrying a cub. But as of yet, I’ve got no idea how many cubs she’s got in total. I’m not entirely sure, but I think this is her 3rd litter that we all will know of.
Hope to hear from you shortly.
Robert 24.4.26
Hi Dean, this wip deserves an award! The pictures of leopards look perfect! I absolutely love the Xinzele female image and the Three Rivers female, a while she wasn’t under the spotlight… and the elephant calf of course, who wouldn’t love it? The two lionesses walked at the same pace are a following choice, but really all pictures shine through. I know hyenas are among the ugly five, but I like the puppies, here they bear that innocent look…. the crocodile seems to flow on a small personal island…
Oh, my! Love your varied photos. My favorites are the rock monitor (who looks likes he’s backstage at a late night show waiting to be called on stage) and the elephant ear.
Incredible photography. Hope I get to meet you when I am there in July. The drama and intensity in the 1st one is special.
The littlest ellie is my fave this week! Followed by the very first one featuring the Xinzele Female. Busy week!
You are really leaning into your art Dean! Many truly great pics. Hope to see you when we are there this October.
Hi Dean, all your images are stunning in this week’s TWIP. My favorite would be the owl with those huge eyes staring at you. Your image of the Three Rivers female in colour is beautiful.
Thanks Dean. My favourite is the eye-level shot of the Three Rivers mid-step….perfect. And definitely best in colour!
Great photos, Dean.
I love all of them. Very funny, the rock monitor in that crevice.
This social bonding of lions of one pride is also something I like so much.
Great photos, Dean! Love the different perspectives, the close ups and the lighting. A special collection for blog #750!
Dean, your photographs in this posting are exquisite. Beautiful. We have been back from a spectacular 12 day safari in Londolozi for almost a month now and your photos bring back the awesome experience we enjoyed. Thank you.
Fantastic captures for your TWIP Dean. My favorites include your elephant ear highlighting the details, Xinzele’s images, the wild dogs, Tinxiya with her kill, and the lioness taking a breather at the kill. But my first favorite is the elephant calf suckling!