It’s always hard selecting the ten ‘best’ images of the month. What can strike a chord with one person may arouse nothing in another, and photographs can be judged according to very different criteria. Brilliant photographs can capture a unique moment in time, come as a result of in-depth preparation, or show the skill someone has with a camera, but I suppose at the end of the day, the initial reaction you get when viewing an image for the first time should be what really makes a shot stand out for you.
Here then, is my selection of the ten best images for the month of October:
The Tamboti female has been one of Londolozi’s most viewed leopards over the past few years. She has been seen heavily pregnant of late, but where the cubs will be born is still a mystery. It is unusual to catch a glimpse of young cubs less than about 6 weeks old. Photograph by Richard Laburn
Wild Dogs are enigmatic at the best of times. Roaming huge home ranges we are never sure just when they will reappear, so each sighting is a special one, no matter how brief. Here a few members of one of the local packs engage in lighthearted play. The full belly of the individual on the right is testament to their skill as hunters. David Dampier
In a well documented sighting, the Tamboti Young female leopard (pictured right) sent the Piva Male flying from a knobthorn tree, mere seconds after this photo was taken. Photograph by Rebecca Green
A crash of white rhinos make their sedate way down the road in the gathering dusk. Photograph by Richard Laburn
The bush is about far more than the Big 5. Beauty is to be found everywhere, as is evident in the hypnotic lines of this spider’s web. Photograph by Sean Cresswell
The Dudley Riverbank young female, fast approaching the age at which she should have her first litter, has already been seen mating with some of the dominant males in the area. Photograph by Trevor Ryan McCall-Peat
White-bellied sunbirds get very vocal at this time of year, and spend much of their day flitting about feeding on the nectar of knobthorn trees. This one decided to inject some variety in its diet and was feeding instead on the flowers of Aloe marlothii (Mountain aloe). Photograph by Chris Kane-Berman
While nothing is ever cast in stone in the lion dynamics of Londolozi, the Matimba males certainly seem to have begun settling into the northern reaches of Londolozi. Trevor Ryan McCall-Peat
An absolutely incredible shot by ranger-turned-finance-manager David Dampier, of the Nanga female perched atop Southern Cross Koppies with the rising moon behind her.
The Mashaba female grooms her cup atop one of her original densites. Photograph by Amy Attenborough
Photograph selection compiled by Kate Collins, Londolozi Blog Editor
Stunning images this month Kate. Each one is special, love Trevor’s Matimba male.
How lucky we are to share these fantastic images – it’s hard to choose a favorite. Thank you so much!
Great selection Kate. Always thrilled to see a crush of rhinos. Seeing Tamboti & Mashaba bring back such good memories. Can’t wait to come back next year.
Excellent.
Absolutely love the colors! If only my photos were like these!! What a month. The leopards coats are still amazing. Thank you!
What a great selection Kate! I especially love the images of the Mashaba female and her cub, the Dudley Riverbank young female and the picture of the Nanga female with the moon…every one of your choices are just stunning though.
Thank you Kate! The first for me is the Nanga female with the rising moon & the others all follow closely. I wish David the best of luck with his new position & hope that he will still get to go out into the bush & share his photos too. Have a lovely Friday & weekend