This last week, like any other, provided many opportunities to get behind the camera and take some unique photographs.
The Full moon was clearly visible on a cloudless winter’s night, making hunting conditions for the nocturnal predators slightly more challenging. Whilst the sun was rising behind us in the east, the moon was sinking towards the western horizon and we were lucky to come across a journey of giraffes to capture this moment with an adult female being the subject in the foreground.
It was the same journey of giraffes that I got a close-up shot of a red-billed oxpecker perched alongside the same female’s ossicones. The Sunbirds have been out and about feeding on the nectar of the aloes in blossom and an African Barred Owlet perched beautifully next to the road in the morning light.
On the leopard front, we were lucky enough to have an amazing sighting of the Three Rivers Female nursing her young cub, whilst the Nkoveni Female and her cubs have continued to provide us with some amazing leopard viewing.
The South Western grasslands provided some amazing, unobstructed views of a large male kudu as well as a tiny elephant calf seeking refuge underneath the stomach of her mother after suckling in the late afternoon.
Lastly, in the early hours of the morning near camp, it was roaring that led us to finding the Ntsevu pride of three lionesses as well as the Ndzenga Males in an open clearing – a photographer’s dream! The following day we visited the Kambula pride that had been feeding on a giraffe carcass that they came across, after one lioness had fed sufficiently on the carcass we followed her to a nearby waterhole and watched her drink.
Let me know your favourites in the comments below.
Enjoy This Week in Pictures!
![White Bellied Sunbird Feeding On Aloe Nectar [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/26122035/White-Bellied-Sunbird-Feeding-on-Aloe-Nectar-RCB-1598x1066.jpg)
A White-Bellied Sunbird Feeds on the nectar of an aloe in camp. A firm winter favourite!
![Three Rivers Female Leopard Cub [rcb] (2)](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/26121955/Three-Rivers-Female-Leopard-Cub-RCB-2-1598x1065.jpg)
The Three Rivers Female’s latest cub takes a moment to glance towards elephants passing in the distance
![Red Billed Oxpecker On Giraffe [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/26133208/Red-Billed-Oxpecker-on-Giraffe-RCB-1598x1163.jpg)
A red-billed oxpecker perches atop a female giraffe in the early hours of the morning. Not a bad vantage point to have!
![Nkoveni Female Leopard On Dead Tree [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/26121859/Nkoveni-Female-Leopard-on-dead-Tree-RCB-1598x1206.jpg)
The Nkoveni Female rests atop the stump of a dead marula tree.
![Nkoveni Female Leopard And Cub On Dead Trees [rcb] (2)](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/26121815/Nkoveni-Female-Leopard-and-Cub-on-dead-Trees-RCB-2-1598x1065.jpg)
The Nkoveni Female is joined by one of her cubs
![Nkoveni Female Leopard Cub In Dead Leadwood [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/26121701/Nkoveni-Female-Leopard-Cub-in-Dead-Leadwood-RCB-1598x1065.jpg)
Whilst its sibling was playing with their mother on the fallen over tree below, the second of the Nkoveni Female’s cubs seeks out a higher vantage point in a dead leadwood tree
![Cloudy Sunrise [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/26104347/Cloudy-Sunrise-RCB-1598x786.jpg)
A cloudy winter sunrise
![Full Moon At Night [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/26104245/Full-Moon-at-Night-RCB-1598x1065.jpg)
The full moon on a dark night, with the Tycho lunar crater clearly visible on its right-hand side
![Ndzenga Male Lying Down (2) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/25140021/Ndzenga-Male-Lying-Down-2-RCB-1598x1598.jpg)
A Ndzenga Male gazes towards our vehicle after meeting up with lionesses from the Ntsevu pride
![Ndzenga Male On Dam Wall [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/25135934/Ndzenga-Male-on-Dam-Wall-RCB-1598x874.jpg)
A high-key edit of a Ndzenga male lion from below
![African Barred Owlet [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/25135854/African-Barred-Owlet-RCB-1598x1065.jpg)
An African Barred Owlet perches on a bushwillow branch, its piercing yellow eyes standing out in the mid-morning light
![Elephant Calf Underneath Mother's Stomach [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/25135806/Elephant-Calf-Underneath-Mothers-Stomach-RCB-1598x1232.jpg)
A very young elephant calf seeks refuge under the belly of its mother in the late afternoon
![Male Kudu [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/25135701/Male-Kudu-RCB-1598x1065.jpg)
A majestic male Kudu standing out in the open on a warm winter’s afternoon with a moody sky as its backdrop
![Kambula Lioness Drinking [rcb] (2)](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/25140256/Kambula-Lioness-Drinking-RCB-2-1598x849.jpg)
A lioness from the Kambula pride quenches her thirst after having fed on the majority of a giraffe carcass that same morning
![Ntsevu Lioness Walking Through Clearing [rcb] (4)](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/25140200/Ntsevu-Lioness-Walking-Through-Clearing-RCB-4-1598x918.jpg)
A lioness from the Ntsevu pride walks away from an Ndzenga male and towards her sister to greet her after a failed attempt at an early morning hunt
![Ntsevu Lioness Walking Through Clearing [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/25140110/Ntsevu-Lioness-Walking-Through-Clearing-RCB-1598x578.jpg)
An Ntsevu Lioness emerges from the thickets and into the open to come and join the rest of her pride
![Giraffe And Full Moon Early Morning [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/25135600/Giraffe-and-Full-Moon-Early-Morning-RCB-1598x1192.jpg)
As the sun rises behind us, the moon sets behind a female giraffe
The composition of the male kudu photo is stunning, Robbie.
Yes, there is more, far more, than the big 5 at Londolozi!
Lovely TWIP Robbie, thank you. As I’m such a sucker for cubs, my favourite this week has to be Nkoveni’s cub in the tree – gorgeous! But the owlet is fabulous too.
Lovely photos – as always
TWIP’s doesn’t disappoint. My favorite is the white-bellied sunbird. The contrast with the aloe is beautiful. Thanks Robbie.
Thanks Robbie, to many to choose from. Leopard cubs are always a favorite. Also the Bird photos are as well.
The giraffe with the moon behind her feels so magical. I also love how the kudu mimics the colors of the dead tree he’s standing next to. It’s always a joy to see sunbirds, playful cubs and young elephants, too.
Robbie your images are absolutely beautiful. My favorite for this week is the Barred Owlet with those piercing yellow eyes. Secondly the tiny elephant calf under it’s mother’s tummy.
Wonderful TWIP Robbie. In choosing favorites, I have to include your last image showcasing the giraffe at sunrise along with a stunning moon. Love its composition as well as your kudu. A couple more include the Nkoveni cub on tree and the owlet, staring with those sungold eyes.
I love all your photos, Robbie. And my favorites are the kudu male and the sunbird on an aloe. I think they are just perfect.
The little owlet is just the cutest! And the last shot with the giraffe is gorgeous!
Wow! Among the sunbird feeding on aloe nectar, the Kudu in the late afternoon sun, or the full moon, I can’t pick a favorite. How did you expose for the full moon? How much post processing did you have to do? Thanks for a great collection!
Robbie, thanks for that beautiful pictures in TWIP-love the cubs and Nkoweni
Robbie, Thanks for a wonderful set of images! You’ve been busy! Beautiful Moon shot – interesting settings to get such a great shot. We especially loved seeing the Nkoveni cub in the tree!
Hi, I’m totally lost after the Three Rivers female ‘s little girl. I never had such a feeling by watching a picture before. After saying this, I’m always in awe at the birds. The little owl is my favourite winged predator. The sunbird and the aloe bloom are fantastic. The giraffe looks absolutely lovely. Lions and leopards are always majestic, and the Nkoveni ‘s cubs and the elephant calf are adorable. I think you chose the most beautiful leopardesses, now that the Plaque Rock female is dead and the Ndzanzeni is far away. Maybe my favourite picture above all is the full moon. It’s an astrophysical event I find mesmerising. The giraffe lady at sunset is magical. The kudu is a very handsome creature and the background good. Many compliments!
Super TWIP Robbie, thank you. As usual, I find it impossible to choose a favourite. The Nkoveni cubs are precious as we spent such special time with them on our recent visit with Keags and Ray. The sunbird is wonderful with the aloe; the kudu…. The giraffe … – you see my problem? Every image is so evocative .
Stunning collection of images in your TWIP Robbie!! My top choice this week has to go to your image of the male kudu. A brilliantly composed and executed image in all ways! My second choice would be the white-bellied sunbird – such a vibrant and beautiful opening image!
Beautiful shots Robbie! That one of the moon, glorious.
What a brilliant photo of the Ndzhenga male from below. He is towering over his territory. Which Ndzhenga male is he Robbie?