The Week in Pictures #664 – Londolozi Blog

The dry month of August has provided unobscured views of subjects and beautiful golden light in the early morning and late evenings.

Being Women’s Month in South Africa, I find it fitting that This Week In Pictures includes both the prominent mother leopard figures on the reserve, the Nkoveni Female and Three Rivers Female, with their respective cubs. We were also treated to some amazing sightings of the three Ntsevu Lionesses and their two litters of cubs, all found feeding on a waterbuck bull together. Their relatives, the Kambula Pride, were also found walking through an open clearing, eventually coming across a herd of buffalos. The dominant coalition over both of these prides, the Ndzhenga Males, entertained us on an intense territorial patrol.

We were lucky enough to watch the Toulon Pack of wild dogs return to their den, where they have been keeping their adopted pups. I say lucky as this may have been one of the last times they returned to this site (keep an eye on the upcoming blogs for more information on this development…)

Late one afternoon we watched the Ximungwe Female demarcating her territory whilst vocalising, potentially to find a mate. After climbing a marula tree after sunset to investigate an old carcass, potentially left behind by another leopard, she descended in the late evening light and provided a beautiful opportunity to photograph a silhouette of her profile.

Moving away from the predators, I have included two contrasting images of elephants. One was purposefully overexposed creating an unorthodox high-key photograph of a breeding herd in the Sand River, and another of a breeding herd walking towards us with the sun setting behind them. Whilst waiting for these elephants to get close enough for a photo, a flock of storks flew high overhead offering yet another silhouetted opportunity.

Staying on the bird front, upon crossing the Sand River at the Causeway we watched a small flock of Helmeted Guineafowl quenching their thirst on a warm morning as well as a Golden-breasted Bunting and White-winged widowbird doing the same at a waterhole near camp.

Let us know your favourites in the comments below.

Enjoy This Week In Pictures…

A tender moment shared between the Three Rivers Female as she grooms her young female cub.

Forced into early independence as her mother was killed by the Southern Avoca Males.

A flock of birds, most likely yellow-billed storks (although difficult to accurately identify considering the distance and light) flying in formation in all likelihood towards a suitable area to roost for the night

An adult from the Toulon pack of wild dogs scans its surroundings atop a boulder before returning to the pack’s newly claimed den site.

Ximungwe Fe Ale Walking Across Airstrip Late Afternoon [rcb] 11.18.59

The Ximungwe Female confidently walked across the airstrip during the golden hour of the late afternoon.

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

The two Ndzenga males steadily patrolling their territory

Kambula Pride Walking Through Clearing [rcb]

Nearly the full complement of the Kambula Pride following one of the adult lionesses through a clearing. With the short drab grass, this was a great opportunity to see the whole pride out in the open.

A breeding herd of elephants walks towards our vehicle and away from the setting sun. The backlit lead female, with the golden glow around her is stunning.

Spotlit Ntsevu Lioness Standing In Front Of Vehicle [rcb]

A lioness from the Ntsevu Pride stops and listens before continuing to walk past our vehicle.

Golden-breasted Bunting and a non-breeding male White-winged Widowbird.

Kambula Pride Stare Down With Buffalo [rcb]

A stand-off between young lions from the Kambula Pride and a buffalo bull.

Kambula Pride Stare Down With Buffalo (3) [rcb]

An adult lioness from the Kambula Pride strides closer to investigate the commotion.

We encountered this breeding herd of elephants late one morning on the way back to camp. With the sun being high and behind them, the harsh backlighting made capturing the moment tricky. “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” I thought, and purposefully overexposed the photograph, lifted the shadows and created a unique high-key image.

Blood dripping from the chin of this Ntsevu Lioness tells the story of her partaking in the feast that the youngest members of her pride were continuing to devour behind her.

Two Ntsevu Lionesses Drinking [rcb Enhanced Nr

Two lionesses from the Ntsevu Pride quench their thirst at a waterhole in the early evening hours.

Nkoveni Female In Tree Staring At Camera [rcb]

The Nkoveni Female takes a break from playing with her cubs to gaze in our direction from the thin limbs of a bushwillow tree

A gorgeous female who is found to the east of camp. Easily recognised by her 2:2 spot pattern she is often to be found in Marula trees.

The grooming ritual between the mother (the Nkoveni female) and the cub. The Nkoveni Trio has provided many a phenomenal sighting for all of us.

Ximungwe Female In Tree Silhouette [rcb] Enhanced Nr

The Ximungwe Female silhouetted against the glowing sky after the sun had set as she descended a tree.

Guineafowls Drinking At The Causeway [rcb]

Helmeted Guineafowls drinking from a shallow puddle on the causeway in the mid-morning.

Robert Ball

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