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The Week in Pictures #629 – Londolozi Blog

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The buzz of the summer season has certainly arrived! With the lush greenery around the reserve and the birth of new life in many different forms – it is certainly a time of abundance. This Week in Pictures shows the new life of many of the different animals and some exciting times for some of the younger newly independent predators.

From golden morning sunrises and sunsets with the scattered clouds certainly hold incredible light for the early morning and late afternoon drives. Coupled with this, our summer season brings our much-anticipated rains which certainly offer a dynamic array of photographic opportunities with even lighting as the overcast skies and moody horizons create unforgettable memories.

On the leopard front, both the Ngungwe Female and Xinkhova Female are being seen more and more and with much anticipation as they are furiously scent marking establishing themselves as territorial female leopards. The Maxim’s Male has also been seen more regularly over the past few months as he patrols his territory. The two Nkuwa young males have provided great sightings as well.

The Talamati Pride now consisting of four females born around 2019 have been seen in the southern parts of the reserve as their two brothers have broken away to form a coalition. These females are fast approaching social adulthood and hopefully, they two will yield their first litters. The Ntsevu Males, as always, have been providing exceptional sightings as they are nomadic and wander through the reserve. Their immensity in size is slowly being matched with their maturing manes and we look forward to what the future holds for them. The Ntsevu Pride and their cubs are all still doing well and are growing up fast.

Possibly my most unique and rare sighting has to be the new three cheetah cubs who are only a couple weeks old. Cheetahs are often a rare predator to see here at Londolozi, and to see new life is something truly remarkable. A tough time lies ahead as this new mother avoids the other big cats that move through her territory. The Wild Dogs have also been seen as they race through the reserve hunting with many mouths to feed.

This season brings an abundance of new life, with young wildebeest claves, and zebra foals having green grasses to feed on. With the new rains and new life, the birds and other wildlife are certainly flourishing.

Let me know your favourites in the comments section below.

Enjoy This Week in Pictures…

This very young giraffe calf was struggling to maintain its balance through the long grass. With still part of its magical cord attached it seems that this young calf was only a few days old.

Maxims Male Krj

The immersive Maxism’s male rests on a termite mound after having finished off the remains of an impala lamb kill. After he groomed himself, he briefly scanned his surroundings before walking off into a thick riverine area.



Fairly skittish male that is presumed to have come from the Kruger National Park.



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Krj Elephant Mother And Calf

A mother elephant and her calf. I always find it fascinating to see the contrast in size of these magnificent animals. This little calf walks close to its mother with the rest of the herd in toe. The overcast afternoon made for even lighting on these two elephants.

Krj Ntsevu Cubs Back

The cubs of the Ntsevu Pride are still doing well as they grow in age. This one cub seemed captivated by its sibling as it yawned. The playful side of these youngsters always provides for some great viewings.

Krj Nkuwa Ym Web

One of the Nkuwa Female’s inquisitive cubs walked through a spider web



One of two sisters born to the Nhlanguleni Female, both of whom made it to independence, the first intact litter to do so in 7 years.



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Krj Wildebeast And Calf

These wildebeest calves are only a few days old. Often the young will group together to rest in a wildebeest nursery.

 Rj 6887

Two young buffalo bulls practice their fighting strategy.

Zebra Foal Kj

This young calf who is still dependent on its mother for milk is starting to explore grasses too. Although much smaller than their mothers their long legs make their stomachs the same height above the ground. This makes it more difficult for predators to determine which is the young foal amongst the herd.

Krj Ximungwe Drinking

The stare on the Ximungwe Female as she quenches her thirst on a hot afternoon. It seems that this leopard is pregnant and we hope to see what the next couple of months holds for her.



Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.



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Krj Hippo Bw Fade

This younger hippo showed off its incisors as we left the water hole. A slightly different high-key black and white edit as the ripples of the water expand from the jaws of this hippo.

Krj Saddle Billed Stork

The impressive wing span of the Saddle-billed Stork as it lands as lands at the edge of a water hole before foraging its banks for any potential prey. Saddle-billed storks jab their long bill into shallow waters in search of aquatic prey such as frogs, catfish, or small reptiles that lurk at the water’s edge.

Krj Ntsevu Male 2

A vulture soaring above briefly caught the attention of one of the Ntsevu Males.

Krj Male Waterbuck

The attention of a male waterbuck was caught as we drove by. With lots of water around these antelope seem to be enjoying the wet weather.

Krj Othawa Pack

The Othawa pack still has been seen on and off with around eight puppies and seems to be doing well. With many mouths to feed and with a lot of prey around, watching these animals is nothing short of exciting.

Krj Elephant Greeting

The greeting between two young male elephants. We spent some time with the bull on the right as he mud-bathed in a nearby wallow. His presence changed as he became aware of a younger bull not too far away. Slowly they approached each other before smelling the temporal glands on each other’s heads before parting ways once more.

Krj Family Of Squirrels

A ‘scurry’ of squirrels. This pair of adult squirrels and their young are basking in the early morning sun. A baby squirrel is known as a kitten and will …

 



Young inquisitive beautiful female, bordering on independence as of November 2021



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A stunning young female with a very similar spot pattern to her mother, the Nkoveni Female. Litter still completely intact March 2022.



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Krj Talamati Pride

Two of the Talamati Females stare at a distant herd of impala. This is not a pride that we have been seeing much of lately so exciting to see them once more near the southern parts of the reserve. Somewhat still nomadic as they try to find some territory while avoiding the surrounding prides.

Krj Elephants Drinking Close Up

A small breeding herd coming to drink at a waterhole as the heat of the day sets in.

Cheetah Cub Carry Close Up Krj

A moment of a lifetime… This mother cheetah carried her three cubs to a thick area. When cubs are very young she will move them sporadically throughout the day within an area. With no formalised den this is to try and keep them alive. Still blind at this stage it was incredible to witness such a unique and special moment.

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Kirst Joscelyne

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