And here we are at the beginning of February, can you believe it? The tide of time rolls ever onward, and this is a reminder to everybody to make the most of our brief stint on this incredibly rich and diverse planet we call home. Get into the wilderness at every opportunity, in whatever way is available to you, because out there is where we find food for the soul, nourishment for the spirit and mana for the mind.
A personal highlight for me was finding a young pink elephant with the most incredible blue eyes, something I’ve not seen the like of in all my years in the bush. The rain was sleeting down fairly hard and I did not want to expose my camera to the elements for too long other than to try and grab two quick snaps.
There have been three different packs of wild dogs showing up at odd intervals and causing all sorts of havoc over the last couple of months which has been a treat. The Ntsevu Pride continues to thrive and is successfully raising a litter of 12, three of which are only around four-five months old and are an absolute delight as they cavort with their older, and much bigger, cousins, collapsing on their mothers and aunts after running out of energy.
Two stallions playfully fight in the rising sun’s rays whilst a buffalo cow stares us down as it sets. A beautiful Martial Eagle shows off its massive talons and a Hamerkop shows off its fishing prowess as it nabs an African-clawed toad from the surface of a waterhole. And of course, the week would not be complete without the Ndhzenga Males putting on a spectacular show, roaring their dominance over the land and crossing the formidable Sand River.
Let me know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week in Pictures…
A young pink elephant calf, likely leucistic, with very rare blue eyes, was the highlight of my week.
I’ll be doing more research into what’s caused these two traits in this young calf.
A predatory smile.
A dream shot, although the light could have been better.
A massive rock monitor lizard explores my garden, scenting the air with his forked toungue.
Fierce looking beast once you get up close.
The size difference between the year old cubs and their tiny 4 month old cousins is staggering. Play can be very difficult for these little ones and they are sure to grow up to be 3 very tough adults.
This kind of play will prepare the two for the much more serious fights to come.
The Xinkhova Female ascends to survey her surroundings.
A stunning young female with a very similar spot pattern to her mother, the Nkoveni Female. Litter still completely intact March 2022.
U
Spotted this leopard?
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23 sightings by Members
Look at the talons!
Take off.
Gold on green.
Forced into early independence as her mother was killed by the Southern Avoca Males.
U
Spotted this leopard?
You’ve seen this leopard
27 sightings by Members
Hamerkop are much more agile than they appear! This bird had just snagged a frog from the surface of thew water mid-flight!
A fine sunset with a herd of buffalo.
Kyle Gordon
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