The Tsalala pride were constantly attended by the dark-maned Majingilane this week, while the rest of the males accepted his monopolisation of the females and moved off to solace with the Sparta Pride. The Tamboti female was found on a number of occasions, providing wonderful viewing, and two different packs of wild dogs moved through the property. No rain and high temperatures for awhile have browned the grass a little, but the showers predicted this week should green everything up a bit.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
Elephant tusks tell such a story. Stained, cracked, broken, worn away. All manner of blemishes tell of a life constantly on the move. f4, 1/200, ISO 320
The incredible camouflage that some animals display never ceases to amaze me. Barely a week goes by in which I don’t see a new grasshopper or praying mantis species I have never seen before, some of them with bizzarre leaf-like appendages, funny growths, and all manner of fascinating adaptations designed to enhance their cryptic nature. Look at how closely this grasshopper resembles a collection of small stones and mud. f14, 1/1000, ISO 2500, Macro lens
A Whitebacked vulture and the moon. f5, 1/3200, ISO 320
One of the Majingilane displays the flehmen grimace, analysing the urine of the Tsalala tailed lioness to test her sexual condition. f2.8, 1/1250, ISO 320
The pack of 8 wild dogs that occasionally visits from the South East trots past the Intention Circle, an art piece designed and built by artist-in-residence and current David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year, Simon Bannister. f6.3, 1/500, ISO 800
I was experimenting here a little, zooming in with a slow shutter speed. Unfortunately I was focused on the cheetah’s midriff rather than his face. f32, 1/10, ISO 100
The Mhangeni pride are swiftly becoming specialist Zebra hunters. They had brought this one down miles outside of their usual territory, although with all the interesting movements of the prides these days, who’s to say which territory is the exclusive domain of which pride anymore. f2.8, 1/500, ISO 250
The Scar-nosed Majingilane pauses in his approach to the Tsalala Pride who were lying up on the airstrip a hundred metres ahead. He and the missing-toothed male would once more chase the young Tsalala lioness away form the pride. Her relationship with some of the coalition remains unstable. f3.2, 1/4000, ISO 640
A Tsalala cub moves in to drink from a puddle. f5, 1/800, ISO 800
Rich Burman takes a much needed sip of water during the excitement of a wild dog sighting. The pack had been running everywhere in pursuit of impala, but got a nasty shock in the form of the Tsalala Pride lying up just near camp. They were chased by the young lioness for a good few hundred metres but made their escape unharmed. f6.3, 1/800, ISO 800
The tamboti female and cub met up with the Camp Pan male on this evening, but he was happy to just lie up in the long grass while the female and youngster did a bit of tree climbing before the three leopards parted ways. f2.8, 1/160, ISO 1600
Having just come off an impala kill, both leopards had excess energy and played for a while in the evening light. f2.8, 1/80, ISO 1600
The Tamboti female – featuring prominently this week – rests on a marula stump as she watches a herd of impala grazing nearby. f2.8, 1/500, ISO 640
One of the Majingilane roars into the night, calling out to the rest of coaltion. Thanks to Mike Sutherland for his advice on what settings to use in side-lighting conditions. f2.8, 1/125, ISO 1000
Something you may not necessarily want to see when you’re on foot. The so-called ‘teddy bear ears’ of a lioness give her position away as she peers out of the long grass. f3.5, 1/6400, ISO 640
Photographed by James Tyrrell
James, have you noticed if the dark maned male has more success with the females than his brothers? I was watching a documentary about lions and they stated that in the ‘lion world’ that a dark mane seemed to signify virility and such males were the preferred choice of the females.
Still a big fan of this blog, you do a great job, wishing we were there ….. have a great weekend.
Love your photographs … They are Stunning!!! Thanks for sharing. One day I hope to have the pleasure of visiting your location in person and taking photographs myself. Looks very Beautiful!
Cheers, Linda
Another wonderful week in wonderful Londolozi. Thank you, again, for making the ending of my week wonderful once more.
Every time I see a picture of one of those males, sounding, calling, I see his breath and I can HEAR that loud, bass, rasp that shakes me to my toes. Just as we did in 2011, in the dark, when we came upon one of the males as he was awakening and he began to call to his brothers, through the mist, across Londolozi.
We will never forget that primordial call…it shook us to our toes. Distinct, lonely and lovely.
Fabulous pictures!
Excellent photos James, the Tamboti female is outstanding!
Wow…..just so Awesome…thank you………
Great photos James, wow the wild dog were right near camp! Have you ever seen them that close before?
Lovely pictures James, thanks always for making my weeks so special. Have a great Sunday 🙂
Hey JT
Incredible photos, the teddy bear ears and the particularly beautiful tamboti female are my favorites!!
Photos of the week continue to get me through the weeks!!
Thanks for sharing