First up, the answer to this week’s Mystery Bird Challenge: it was none other than a Crowned Eagle.
This was the first one I’ve seen at Londolozi in 10 years of living and working here, so needless to stay it caused quite a stir amongst the bird enthusiasts on the Lockdown staff. GM Duncan MacLarty even cut a meeting short to race out to see it.
We only managed a long-distance view as the bird was quite nervous in the open, but it was still thrilling. Crowned Eagles tend to favour more forested areas and are only rarely encountered in the more open savannah that dominates the Sabi Sand Reserve, although truth be told this one was along the river, which is more thickly wooded. It looked like a young(ish) bird though so had most likely dispersed from its natal area and was looking for a place to establish territory. It has not been seen on Londolozi since.
On the more recent wildlife front the end of the dry season has seen the normal hippo conflict with bulls battling for dwindling water resources and their accompanying mating opportunities. One was found dead in the north of the reserve that had presumably succumbed to wounds sustained in just such a clash, and provided a feast for the local scavengers.
The Nkuhuma pride was found on a buffalo kill much further south than we’ve seen them before, which may spell trouble for the Tsalala lioness, and a young male leopard was found on a kill about 30 metres from where I’m typing this right now…
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
What we think is the young Misava male. Bushbuck alarming outside the Londolozi offices alerted us to the presence of a predator, and this young leopard was spotted from the office windows. Closer inspection revealed a very young bushbuck carcass that he must have just killed.
White-backed vultures pick the bones of a hippo carcass clean.
And a hyena scatters the wake (the collective noun for a group of vultures on a kill) as the sun starts to set in the west.
The Mhangeni pride were seen on consecutive days in west Londolozi, giving us fantastic sightings of their two older cubs. I say older because another one of the lionesses is believed to have given birth to cubs in the last few weeks, but we are yet to lay eyes on them.
A fantastically rare sight; a half-collared kingfisher. Although relatively common in other parts of South Africa, this is probably the species we see the least on Londolozi, with only one sighting being had every couple of years if we’re lucky. This one is thought to be nesting in the banks of the Sand River (and therefore must surely have a partner).
The creepy-crawlies of the night. Closed shoes are a good idea after dark in summer as there may be scorpions scuttling around. This one was actually in the Londolozi office passageway one evening. A thick tail and narrow pincers relative to its size are a warning of the higher toxicity of its venom.
The Makomsava female has featured prominently of late, denning two very young cubs within a fifteen minute drive of camp. In this image she had been feeding on a kudu carcass for three days, and subsequent to that she is now believed to have moved dens. We are still searching for the new one.
A majestic kudu bull breaks the skyline in the early morning.
Two lionesses of the Mhangeni pride rest in the Sand River with the Othawa male just behind them. Although they’ve been around, sightings of the pride have sometimes been tricky as they have often chosen inaccessible sandbanks in the middle of the river to rest on. This one was particularly difficult to get to.
This winter has almost been defined by giraffes, with a greater number of calves than I’ve personally seen in the area for a long time. The airstrip and clearings near camp have provided prolific sightings.
A large herd of buffalo drinks from an isolated and beautiful beach in the Sand River. We don’t often see big herds of buffalo near the Londolozi camps – they are usually down in the grasslands – so it was a real treat having this one around for a couple of days.
A bull from that same herd looks up from drinking.
Bees; far more important than most people realise. Without them and their pollinating efforts, entire ecosystems would collapse. This was a fascinating sighting that took place actually in the Londolozi Staff village, of a hive massing to relocate.
One of the Avoca males stares back from the thickets. He had been stalking a hyena that had come in to investigate the Nkuhuma pride’s buffalo kill, but was spotted before he could get close enough to pounce.
A very young and nervous white rhino calf dashes across an open road to seek the relative safety of the thickets on the other side.
Stunning pics. Love the vultures, rhino and kudu at sunrise.
Magnificent sunrise photo of the kudu!
Thanks for another enjoyable week of great photos
I start my day with your Blog which I enjoy tremendously ….your photography skills are outstanding! Thank you!
There can’t be many office windows in the world that would give you the view in the 1st picture…..!
Some great surprises this week with the rare bird sightings.
A pleasure as always.. Happy you are on your way back to some semblance of normal. Thank you for sharing
What a bumper week with some very unique photos ! Stunning 👌🏻💕🙏🏻
We can’t know what animals feel, but those two lionesses look affectionately bond and this is a very special picture. As usual the kudu is utmost beautiful. Leopards were considered Gods by Etruscan people and it looks as if they really are. Insects are so intriguing and I wish to see more about them. I wonder if birds sang differently during the lockdown but I guess nothing really changed that much over there as it’s a rare paradise, completely different from our cities. Buffalo make me feel a light shiver as they are so mighty and may rightly be aggressive. … I’d be a bit nervous near them! Beautiful animals. Great rhino on the run!
Lion spooked by hyeana image is one of feeling unlucky.Very intresting picture
Buffalo licking its nose , this behaviour is fascinating in that nostrils play a pivotal role in respiratory system . dust or pollen is not welcome in that area.
Bees have important ecologically role which many a time goes unnoticed.Their ecologically,social,commercial significance is important to the ecosystem.
I don’t know WHY James, but many of your pictures this week, gave me goosebumps! .. First, seeing the variations in height of the Giraffes was amazing! (The tallest one, for sure!)
Second, being a feline lover, seeing the different captures of the lioness (especially), always brings a fun sense of thought, as the first thought that comes to mind is “Ohhww! the big ol lazy kitties!” The expression on the Mhangeni Lionesses faces is PRICELESS! (Just oversized from a regular domestic cat). – When I look at the Avoca male, it makes me wonder how he was as a cub amidst surviving to be what he is today. he looks like one tough trooper!
.. Third, the Hippo calf looks so joyful! You can’t help but say “What an adorable picture!”
Lastly, the surrounding energy of the your pictures this time does not feel like Spring. They give the impression of Winter, which in-itself presents the unique observation amidst the “Climactic environment” that animals live within through out the year.
Thanks for the kind words
The winter has favourable smiled upon giraffe who the Londolozi wilderness has witnessed the arrival of calves.Giraffe respiratory system and digestive adaptations have made them successful
Londolozi has how many recognized dominant prides?Lion haven of southern Africa.Beautiful diaries of the lion prides
Buffalo congregating enmasse at londolozi is a truelly beautiful spectacle.shows there is abundant resources to sustain species
Good
rhino calf crossing road very much depicts strong defence instinct is inbuilt.tail posture as well is intresting
Well I thought the bird was an eagle but had no idea which one, so …. some terrific images this week. Thank you !
James, I loved all the photos, especially the Rhino, and leopard in the tree, and the lions cubs🤗
Thank you for another great week
Fabulous photos! What a fantastic job you have! Thank you for sharing😁
Amazing photos James… with the help of the animal kingdom, I truly think you outdid yourself this week.
Every creature has a uniqueness about them that is truly magical. Always drawing you in for more. Oh how I would love to be there…. hopefully soon…Thank you💖
So good!! Bravo gents!!
Amazing gallery!! Looked like some great birding recently with the half-collared kingfisher and the crowned eagle! Only got my first sighting of the latter in June up in Zululand!!