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The Week In Pictures #632 – Londolozi Blog

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Wow, the grass has got tall! While it might seem challenging to spot animals in such vegetation (and it can be), we’ve noticed that the thicker grass tends to channel animals toward more open areas, pathways, and roads. Leopards, in particular, find it less energy-consuming to stroll along a dirt track than to navigate through dense stands of two-foot-high Themeda triandra.

Leopard can sometimes pose as challenges to find at this time of year; unlike most times of the year when their hoisted kills anchor them in one place for a day or two, they are currently feasting mainly on impala lambs. These small prey items are consumed quickly, prompting leopards to move on within a few hours. Having said that, the past few days have been a success with these elusive predators.

Encounters with numerous elephants have become a regular occurrence on every drive, a trend that has persisted for the past six weeks or so.

Enjoy this week in pictures:

The Ntomi Male found himself chased up a dead Knobthorn tree by a hyena clan. In one-on-one situations, leopards can occasionally deter hyenas; however, when outnumbered, they often opt to retreat for safety. In this instance, the Ntomi male faced a 4-to-1 disadvantage and chose to minimize his losses by ascending the tree. Despite the potential danger for him, it presented an incredible photographic opportunity for us. Leopards perched in leafless trees create a captivating sight to behold.

A single cub of the Ximungwe Female’s second litter. Initially rather skittish but is very relaxed now. Birth mark in his left eye.

An elephant cow grazes as the sun sets behind her. The recent days have been exceptionally humid, making feeding during the daytime a sluggish activity for the large herbivores. As the sun descends behind the horizon, the relatively cooler evenings become the optimal time of day to observe these pachyderms in action.

The Plaque Rock Female resting on a beautiful termite mound. This is where we followed her after stashing her kuku calf kill in a Marula tree. Don’t you just love that pose?

A pretty young playful female found along the river to the east of camp

The Plaque Rock Female readies herself to leap into a nearby Jackalberry tree, intending to secure her well-earned meal in the upper foliage. There is a captivating allure to capturing a leopard gazing upward. Witnessing her climb the tree, eyes focused on the branches above in this image, was truly remarkable. The strength and agility displayed by these cats are two qualities that contribute to their impressive nature.

A rarer sight in the region. A male cheetah gazes in our direction, vigilant for any potential threats. In post-processing this image, I chose to reduce the saturation, aiming to create a more subdued and greyish background.

Ranger Nick Tennick and his guest watch on as the three Ntsevu Males cross the Sand River in front of them. Since this photo was taken the Sand River literally overnight, has risen substantially.

Three of the Ntsveu Males traverse the Sand River, with Ranger Jess Shillaw and her guests perfectly positioned to observe the crossing. Witnessing any animal navigate the flowing Sand River is a spectacle, but for me, a group of male lions stands at the pinnacle. Their fourth brother and one sister were following closely, prompting the question: are these lions poised to become the next dominant generation?

Despite being a bit backlit, I thoroughly enjoyed photographing the Ngungwe Female in this expansive Jackalberry tree. Just a few months ago, having such a great view of her in a tree was a rare occurrence. She has noticeably become more at ease with the presence of vehicles and is one of the leopards we encounter most frequently, often found resting in trees. During this specific sighting, she gracefully shifted into various positions in the tree during the approximately 45 minutes we spent with her.

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

Observing a large herd of elephants quenching their thirst on a hot day is truly one of my favourite experiences. Witnessing the entire herd, from the largest to the smallest, gathered at a waterhole is a captivating and cherished activity for me. During this time of year, elephants on average will drink at least twice a day.

We’ve had some incredible sightings of the Plaque Rock Female recently, and this particular encounter stands out as one of my highlights. One of our guests spotted her lying in a marula tree not too far off the road. As we approached, switched off the vehicle, and all congratulated the lady at the back for her amazing spot, we enjoyed an extended view of this beautiful leopard.

Similar to lions, leopards, and cheetahs, herbivores also utilize termite mounds as vantage points to scan for potential threats. Here, three magnificent kudu bulls are seen gazing in our direction. In my opinion, kudus are among Africa’s most astonishing antelopes.

It’s the season of abundance. While the majority of wildebeest, impala, and warthogs have already given birth, occasionally we encounter a slightly later arrival. This particular wildebeest had just given birth, likely within the past 30 minutes or so. It never ceases to amaze me how swiftly these young herbivores can stand up and start moving alongside their mother.

A lion cub of the Ntsevu pride ventures through an open clearing. The rest of the pride was scattered around this youngster, having just finished off a wildebeest kill from the night before. These young lions, including this cub and its siblings, are growing each and every day. It’s both exciting and intriguing to contemplate what the future holds for these emerging predators.

An African wild dog briefly pauses its bustling activities just before deciding to cross the Sand River. Before taking the plunge, it gazes downriver at another member of its pack, ensuring they are all moving in the same direction. In this photo, you can see that the wild dog is relatively full, having recently enjoyed a decent meal. Shortly after this moment, the entire pack rested in some shade on the bank of the Sand River.

The Ngungwe Female resting in a large Jackalberry tree. This photo was taken just before the previous one featured a bit higher in “This Week In Pictures.” She shifted from that position as the harsh sun began to touch her coat. Seeking more comfortable shade, she gracefully moved into the upper canopy.

A female leopard takes a rest on a termite mound as the sun sets. The Plaque Rock female appears relaxed but is also keeping a watchful eye on a nearby herd of impala. Leopards have significantly higher chances of a successful hunt during the night, thanks to their excellent night vision and the disadvantage it poses for most of their prey. The vibrant colors in the background and the grass on the termite mound create an excellent opportunity for capturing a silhouette shot.

Two young wild dog pups wait on the bank of the Sand River, observing as the adults strategize a way to cross the flowing water. Given the expansive territories of wild dogs, navigating watercourses is a regular occurrence and a skill these animals must learn from a very young age.

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Dan Hirschowitz

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The Week In Pictures #632 – Londolozi Blog