This week’s recent cold snap has produced the coldest morning of the year yet, providing a humbling reminder of the struggles of winter! With the cold comes beautiful winter colours, and mesmerising sunrises and sunsets, making this another truly spectacular week to be behind the camera.
Reflecting on this week’s pictures, an overwhelming feeling of gratitude overcame me. Not only for the incredible wildlife sightings and scenery we have been privy to but also for the quiet moments of watching a sunrise, filling me with a deep sense of awe for the land that is Londolozi. I have tried to funnel this feeling into my photography this week.
Zebra and giraffe have been plentiful, with silhouette giraffes against both sunrise and sunset being a highlight of the week. Large elephant bulls have been wandering around the reserve, frequenting the few remaining bodies of water.
On the leopard front, the Nkoveni Female and her two cubs have been viewed almost every day, providing one particularly memorable sighting with a large Marula tree, sunset, and a kill! The Three Rivers Female and the Senegal Bush Male were both found with fresh kills, and we captured images of them dragging their prey to the nearest tree. An incredible display of strength!
The Kambula Pride, Ndzhenga Males, and more recent sightings of the Nsevu Pride have kept the lion viewing incredibly rewarding. The Ndzhenga Males seem to be in their prime, with their booming roars carrying on the crisp morning air, making for the best way to start a game drive.
A slightly confused Klaas’s cuckoo that must have missed the migration boat and my favourite bird – a malachite kingfisher wrap up the photos for this week.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week in Pictures…
Two giraffes silhouetted at sunset make for a quintessential African image!
The first rays of morning light caught in the eye of this wildebeest bull, highlighting their unique quizzing look.
After a brief altercation with the Plains Camp Males, the largest of the Ndzhenga Males lay claim to the area by calling and scent marking down the road, leaving no doubt as to who is in charge.
What I love the most about winter – the fiery sunrises across the open plains of the reserve promise yet another magical day here at Londolozi.
Sightings of the Nhlanguleni Female have been few and far between over the last few weeks as she has seemingly moved her territory further west, spending more time in and around the greenery of the Sand River. Here she greeted us with a spectacular walk-by of the vehicle.
Initially skittish she spent a lot of time in the Sand River, now relaxed she makes up the majority of leopard viewing west of camp.
In the golden morning light, two Zebra stallions challenge each other, keeping us entertained for hours.
One of the most incredible displays of strength – the Three Rivers Female dragged this young bushbuck hundreds of meters back towards a dried-out river bed to stash for later. We were lucky enough to be able to follow the entire process!
Forced into early independence as her mother was killed by the Southern Avoca Males.
There are few things as unique and beautiful as Zebra’s black and white patterns in golden light. The mane of Zebra is indicative of their health, and there is no doubt that this female is thriving!
The largest of the Owl species here, a Verreaux’s eagle owl, sat very still close to the road. It is not often we get to view these raptors up close, and seeing both the diagnostic pink eyelids and those incredibly powerful talons was amazing.
The second largest owl, a Spotted Eagle Owl shows stunning yellow eyes and equally powerful talons. Sitting motionless in the bush, this owl was frozen in the spotlight, waiting patiently for prey to move past.
Splitting their time equally between the Nsevu Pride (pictured here) and the Kambula Pride, the Ndzhenga Males have had their work cut out for them. Constantly on the move, we were able to witness a reunion of sorts after a few days apart.
A near full moon in the background, just after sunset this giraffe ventures out through the open plains, elegantly in search of food. Perhaps my favourite photo this week, the colours speak for themselves as to the magic of winter.
One of the Nkoveni Female’s cubs launches itself into a Marula tree, perfectly emulating the mother. Learning to climb from a young age is vital for leopard cubs, and as the saying goes: practice makes perfect!
The same tree, a slightly bigger leopard (Nkoveni Female) and a dead impala, only moments before the previous photo. Some would say: like mother like daughter.
A gorgeous female who is found to the east of camp. Easily recognised by her 2:2 spot pattern she is often to be found in Marula trees.
After a very exciting track and find, with special thanks to a large group of monkeys, will stumbled upon the Senegal Bush Male catching his breath moments after killing this young waterbuck.
Initially seen as a young male in 2016, this leopard only properly established territory on Londolozi in mid-2019
Even from a young age, personalities can be seen within the dynamics at a Hyena den. This curious cub led the charge as three young hyenas played just outside the safety of the den.
A young male from the Kambula Pride, enjoying the final rays of light in the sand river. The rocks hold heat from the day and all of the pride were intent on making the most of this before beginning the evenings hunt.
A young Zebra foal born later than the rest eyes out our vehicle suspiciously from behind the herd.
A towering male giraffe sticks his head up inquisitively at an approaching female.
With the majority of Klaas’s cuckoos having migrated north some months ago, we were very surprised to hear this one calling close to camp. I can only assume this is a recently fledged individual, and just missed this year’s migration boat.
The colours of a malachite kingfisher will never cease to amaze me. Iridescent blue flashes are often seen along the sand river, giving away their presence, but seldom are we able to capture a photo close up.
An elder Kambula lioness catches her breath after a long morning hunt.
The Ndzanzeni Female has been seen fairly regularly recently, despite her territory being far from camp. With the sun setting, she took advantage of the warm rocks to scan the surrounding bush before setting off with a purpose.
This female is a success story all in herself, being born as a single cub to the Riverbank 3:3 female in early 2012.
Golden glows and golden coats of the Nkoveni Female as she walked back to her cubs.
Any guesses on this leopard? Having shifted further west (as he follows his father) the Ntomi Male has almost doubled in size and is shaping up to be a very bi, and hopefully dominant male.
A single cub of the Ximungwe Female's second litter. Initially rather skittish but is very relaxed now. Birth mark in his left eye.
A lucky puddle allowed for this beautiful reflection of the Three Rivers Female as she drank in some dappled light.
Keagan, I agree with the picture of the kingfisher being one of my favorites. I also like the sunset golden glow of the Nkoveni female, great shot.
Wonderful Photos Keagan.
I have two questions: can such a young bird as the cuckoo who was somehow left behind, survive the winter at Londolozi?
And: Has anybody seen the Tsalala female lately? She seems to have cubs, doesn’t she? Has anybody ever seen them so far?
Hi Keagan. Your images are stuning and your sunset image with the giraffe in the foreground in my favourite this week. I also loved your images of the eagle owl-owl and malachite. Ntomi male is going to be a beautiful male.
Thanks Keagan for some terrific images. It’s difficult to pick one amongst so many, but I’m going for the Ndzanzeni female – 1stly because she’s my no1 favourite and 2ndly because she’s so rarely seen. I seem to remember some time ago she had a bad leg injury? – how does she seem now?
Oh my goodness Keagan, you’ve given us amazing photos this week, making choosing favorites impossible. As much as I love sunsets in the bush, your sunrise images really captured my eyes, especially the landscape and sparring zebra stallions. All the leopards are fabulous, especially the portrait shot of Nhlanguleni female. Equally beautiful is the close-up of the zebra in the soft light. The malachite kingfisher is a favorite of mine and I was fortunate to find one last year that remained still enough on a branch over the water to grab a shot. Yours is amazing. Thanks for a great TWIP.
Beautiful female Zebra head in the golden light!
Great composition! Also loved the V eagle owl
Thank you for taking us back to Londolozi every day with this blog!
Hi Keagan, I must agree, the giraffe and the moon us a hypnotising picture, full of atmosphere and beauty. I should say that, even if all pictures are superb, this is my number one. The big cats are so beautiful and birds striking. I was touched by the Nhlanguleni ‘s look… her hair tuft on her eyes make her look melancholic. She’s so lovely. A beauty competition among her, the fabulous Nkoveni and the very refined and elegant Tree Rivers Female and the mythical Ndzandeni. All cubs are adorable. The “talking” lions and the Ndzenga males are imposing. I always find zebra so handsome and peculiar, so the contrast between the adult female and the young foal is admirable. The Ntomi male is no surprise, he was a bit above other young males in confidence and strength, also quite daring and smart. He has become a wonderful guy. Thank you for his special picture and all the others.
Beautiful collection Keagan. I too love the malachite kingfisher, although I’ve never seen one in real life. Let’s hope the cuckoo survives the winter or gets a move on!
So glad to see the Ntomi male! The almost last shot w/ the Three Rivers Female is fabulous! It looks like she is looking at you thru her reflection!
Keagan, Thanks for a fantastic set of images! Our favorite is the Three Rivers Female at the water whole – great lighting!!
This Week In Pictures, my favourite email of the week, and once again it delivers .
I love the cuckoo photo for it’s vibrant colours