Into summer we go!
Having just gotten back from leave it’s always exciting to get back out there. This week certainly had plenty to offer. A special afternoon spent at the hyena den with five cubs quickly turned into a full memory card. There were plenty of other highlights too, from the Ntsevu Pride feeding on a wildebeest to some mornings spent searching for the largest herd of giraffes, with a few close-up encounters along the way.
Naturally, the Tinxiya Female Leopard had to feature. She really is such a character to spend time with. Her father, the Maxims Male, is equally unforgettable, with his sheer size taking your breath away every time you see him.
One of the biggest highlights of the week was a rare pangolin sighting. It was the most relaxed pangolin I have ever encountered. I may not have managed any decent photographs, but it was easily one of my most memorable sightings in a while.
The two Kambula Lionesses are still doing a remarkable job raising their eight cubs, while the Gijima Males continue to hold the surrounding area. Add a few wild dog sightings, and it made for a pretty special week in the bush.
Let me know which sightings you enjoy most!
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
Two very young Hyena cubs were such value as we watched them play around the den for just under an hour!
We really are so lucky to have an active den site on our reserve!
Crossing the Sand River early in the morning really is such a treat especially when you have a sunrise like this…
This female was feeding on a tree right next to the road and didn’t move an inch as we drove past. In fact, she was far more intrigued by the surrounding impala!
Right before the entire pack got moving this individual used this mound as a vantage point for any surrounding impala.
Gentle giants. I will never not be interested in a reflection shot!
Nothing quite fills up a memory card like cubs playing with their mum. These two Kambula females are doing a great job in raising the next generation of eight cubs into the Kambula pride.
And while they are mostly patient every now and again the cubs and their antics will result in a short growl as if to say you’re pushing it!
A short series on the Tinxiya Female as she took full advantage of a dead branch for a scratch.
A confident and curious young leopard, that is nearing independence after a remarkable start to life alongside her resilient mother.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a TWIP of mine without a few shots of this stunning female! Obsessed is the only word that comes to mind.
Probably the sighting of the week for me. This incredibly relaxed individual was practically giving us walk-bys. It’s not lost on me how unique and rare moments with these animals are!
The Maxim’s Male after was in fine form as he provided a memorable sighting of him feeding on an impala in a Saffron tree.
Dominant since 2019. Once skittish Kruger-born giant now rules vast territory, transforming from elusive presence to formidable force.
The biggest and in my opinion the most graceful antelope species. A herd of six Kudu bulls as they slowly moved from bush to bush.
As the hot summer days approach you can never really go wrong by looking for some Elephants at the Sand River!
The Makatini coalition. These two young males hopefully will stick around. They have been recently challenging the status quo of what is too ‘big’ to hunt as a few other guides watched them jump on the back of a buffalo sub adult. Unfortunately for them this task was just a bit out of reach. I do commend the effort though.
If you look carefully, you can actually see the lights from a plane coming just above its back.
One of the Nwaswitshaka males walked straight down our line as he trailed the Msuthlu pride.
The impressive and growing in confidence young Nkuhuma male. One of the Plains Camp males offspring this male really has delivered some awesome moments this year!
A young Vervet Monkey basked in some soft afternoon light.
A cheeky grin from a Black-backed Jackal as he waited patiently to get a bite to eat from a Wildebeest kill the Ntsevu pride made.
“Young beauties” as the cheetah brothers and the Tinxya female, the Nwaswithsaka male and the Nkuhuma male,cubs! Giants like rhino, giraffe, elephants…and jolly creatures, like the pangolin roaming around and the grinning jackal…. it made me smile! But so much tenderness comes from the cubs and the lovely Tinxya female, she’s marking her territory with almost irresistible charme! I love the giraffe eying, the Tinxyia is my favourite series i can’t resist her!
Thanks Francesca!
Oh wow, such great photos Nic! I love them all, BUT I can see why you were obsessed with the Tinxiya Female – absolutely adorable.
Thanks Heather. She’s world class!
Nic. I so enjoyed your array of wildlife! I smiled at the Kambula lioness’ correction of her cub as well as the Tinxiya leopard “making love’ to her branch–series photos offer movement with a story! The Rhino photo is a terrific reflection capture as is the stately Maxim Male snuggled in backdrop branches with his prize. My favorite this morning however is your Sunrise at the Sand River!! Looks like an oil painting…and perhaps since we are overcast, windy and rainy today that sun looks like a great start to a day in Wisconsin or the Bush!!!
Thanks Camille – the sunrises never get old!
I actually can’t choose a favourite this week. I’m a bit dumbstruck. They’re all incredible pictures. What an end to my week. Thank you.
Thank you Tracey!
What a brilliant array of shots Nic. Brilliant assortment Nic but the Sand river with the buffalo, is it, in the bottom corner does it for me.
Thanks Eric! The sunrises are one of the best parts of this place.
Wow Nic, great pics . Love the hyeana cubs. But also the giraffe and at all the pengoline.
Thanks Jutta!
Welcome back! Amazing week Nic! The reflection shot is wonderful but love more the lioness mum shots w/ her annoying look 😉 and of course the hyena cubs are always a fave. Cheers!
Thanks Anita
Brilliant and lovely Photos, Nic!
I love them all.
Maybe my favourite is the Giraffe. Her look seems to be the perfect expression of a giraffe’s character: a bit curious, a bit critical, a bit haughty. She knows who she is: a personality.
The hyena pups are so cute
and the Tinxiya Female is my favourite animal.
Thanks Christa! Tinxiya is clearly a fan favourite…
Nearly forgotten: The PANGOLIN!
My absolute favourite because it took me 25 (!!) safari trips till I finally saw a Pangoling really well. Twice there were only fleeting glances. In April this year at Londolozi a super relaxed one in the morning, like yours.
Hi Nic, I can agree with you the Tinxiya female is such a beauty and here she is scratching her head against a tree. First the one paw then the other one holding the tree are such stunning photo’s of her. Loved the jackal as well. Pangolin so special to see and so warming to hear it was so relaxed. Oh but the Maxim’s male is a stunning specimen of a 🐆 leopard. You cannot believe how huge he is. Stunning images Nic.
Thanks Valmai
I’m speechless! Nic, you’ve given us such fantastic pictures this week that each one qualifies as a favorite. BUT…. Now that I’ve spent time with Tinxiya – couple of different times, she has become my favorite young female leopard. Her expressions are priceless and your series of her using that dead twig to get a good scratch is fabulous. But I’ve always loved watching Hyena cubs and your captures are perfect. And then a Pangolin, the holy grail of sightings and I commend you on your photo taken in less than ideal lighting conditions. The Rhino reflection is another standout. The cubs are always irresistible!! Thanks for adding to my Friday morning highlights.
Thank you very much Denise! Hope you are well.
What a fantastic TWIP Nic, you’ve really spoilt us! So many stunning shots….love the sunrise, Tinxiya series, all the other cats, everything really!
Thanks Suzanne.
The Hyena and Leopard photography must surely go through to the International Wildlife Photography Awards! Incredible photography with passion and sensitivity! My compliments!
Thanks Michele appreciate it!