I went out one morning this week looking for someone I hadn’t seen in a while. Someone who has become a crowd favourite, and her story is remarkable. The mission was simple. Find her, see how she’s doing, maybe get a few close-up shots if possible.
What I wasn’t expecting was that on the way back to camp, I’d see something on the horizon that I genuinely couldn’t place. A flock of birds in the distance, moving in a way that didn’t look quite right. By the time I’d worked out what they were, I was already chasing them through the bush. Dodging trees, hanging on over the bumps, camera in my hand, just trying to keep up and get some shots. Not the most incredible footage, but a lot of fun was had in the process.
Later in the week, a stunning misty sunrise over the Sand River, then trundling around the north and bumping into the Xinzele Female trying her luck on a herd of impala.
A week of small stories. None of them was where I was looking. All of them worth telling.
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A stunning female found in the north. Successfully raised the Thumbela Female while establishing dominance in NW Marthly.
Hi Sean, unbelievable to me… a flock of pelicans and… the African Monarch Butterflies! Oh my. I had goosebumps. Monarchs are heroes of migrations… the white little zebra, the magnificent elephant bull and the Xinzele female…. I was thinking about vegetation, those plants with spectacular yellow flowers… and those violet ones? Colours never lack in Londolozi!
Well, I totally missed the identity of y0ur “what is this bird?”, but then, your video of them flying was much better quality than the photos posted in the blog – just saying….. I most likely still would have not guessed it but I would have noticed more easily the black underwings. It’s fun to try and guess anyway especially since my birding is not that impressive. I am happy to see that the little female white zebra is still doing well, still very attached to her mother, and it is evident that her lack of eye pigment makes not difficult for her to keep her eyes open. During my sighting of her I also found that it was tricky to get photos of her face forward, and she kept ducking into the grasses and under her mother’s behind but I managed to capture a few, noticing her very pale blue eyes. Spending any time with elephants is the best, although encountering one in musth requires more attention. But the favorite part of your video was seeing the mist rising from the water into the air, creating a mystical element to the causeway. I have not seen Xinzele for a couple of years and your video shows that she is looking fantastic. The water was too high during my stay to cross to the north safely but I have admit, i love spending time in this part of the reserve. Perhaps soon there will be an update on Ximungwe and how her remaining cub is doing ……. and Tsalala.
A lovely video again, Sean. I really enjoyed the scenes with the Monarch Butterflies.Such beautiful little creatures.
So your bird question were these pelicans. Fantastic to see them circling in such a big flock.
Where do they come from? Some part of Krueger’s or maybe from the area around Phinda?
I’m always so pleased about news from that Albino Zebra foal. Great to hear and see that she is still fine.
Hi Sean, the little white Zebra is so special and extraordinary in the bush. She seems to be doing well so far and the herd seems to protect her at all costs. The bright sun forsure has an affect on her eyes because it looks as if she closes her eyes a lot. Loved the Elephant bull and the way he was drinking water and then put his trunk over his tusks which you say is a warning. Xinzele female seems to be doing well in the North. The flock of pelicans was a huge surprise and quite mesmerizing to watch them flying in circles and then away they went. Something different this week but very entertaining.
We missed the bird call again! I don’t think we have ever seen Pelicans! Well done Sean!
Has it been determined if the white Zebra is albino or has leucistic?
It has not been proven by anyone external or any expert, but in my opinion it is albinism as opposed to leucism. The eyes appear to have no pigmentation in the iris and the skin is totally pink and lacking any usual black colour.
Thanks Sean, I appreciate your candid reply.
You are most welcome, Marg.
Another wonderful virtual safari Sean!
From the smallest and lovely butterflies to that magnificent bull elephant…. Beautiful footage. The bush never promises… but always amazes !
So grateful to see the albino zebra is still thriving..I’m sorry we missed her when we were there. Please keep us posted.
Best to you…. Keep holding the light for us!