Ngweshla pride

 

Lion cubs are always playful, I took all these photos in the afternoon, near Ngweshla pan, where this pride had killed a Giraffe. The pride consisted of a male, 3 females and 8 cubs!

 

 

Play fighting...

 

A game of king of the castle!

 

 

 

Just looking around in between bouts of playing...You can see the size difference of the 2 cubs, showing the 2 different age groups!

Moon Rise

 

A beautiful moon rise, taken from Kennedy 1

Cleaning swim

 

I photographed this Spurwing Goose in a small seasonal pan on The Hide concession, he was enjoying a wash amongst the water lilies...

Pearl-spotted Owlet

 

Smallest owl in the sub-region, the pearl-spotted owlet is active during daylight ours as well! 

 

I photographed this one in the early morning light! The 2 photos showing the real eyes, and the dark, imitation eyes on the back on it's head!

Dust bath

 

I photographed this magnificent Elephant bull near Kennedy 1 pan, in the late afternoon, having a nice dust bath...

 

The dust helps chase away any annoying insects!

 

Now a happy elephant, he continued on his way...

Rufous-naped Lark

 

The melodious call of this rather plain brown bird is what makes him attractive, perched on top of his favourite stick, I managed to take a good photo of him.

Beautiful Goshawk

 

I photographed this beautiful African Goshawk near Kennedy 1, there were 2, but the second flew away before I could take a shot! I have been seeing them since in the same area!

Affectionate Kudus

 

I photographed these 2 Kudus having an affectionate moment on a termite mound near Ngweshla pan!

 

 

Surprisingly they stood ontop of the mound for a while, allowing us time to take a few shots.

Saddle-billed Storks

 

A male and female Saddle-billed Stork, I photographed them near Kennedy 1 pan!

 

Probably one of the above pair, seen on The Hide concession, preparing to go to sleep!

Cheetahs!

 

On an early morning game drive we were lucky enough to stumble upon these 2 Cheetahs crossing the road near Kennedy 1 pan! The above photo shows them looking out from a grass covered termite mound doen the Kennedy vlei! They stayed in this spot for about 3 hours, before continuing. 

 

A mother and a sub-adult cub, the sub-adult is the one standing in the above photo, whilst mum lays hidden in the grass!

 

Later seen on the boundary of The Hide concession, here the female is marking her spot on a leadwood tree.

Crowned Cranes

 

The magnificent Grey Crowned Crane, moves into Hwange in the rainy season, breeding at certain pans.

I photographed this one, and it's partner near Makwa pan.

Bull Elephant

 

Caught this bull having a nice mudbath in the midday heat!

Rollers!

 

I have been unable to update beacuse of internet connection issues, now it has been upgraded, I will be able to continue posting!

Just to start off, some Rollers!

 

Lilac-breasted Roller, eating a grasshopper in the beautiful early morning light!

 

My first good shots of the European Roller, as it's name suggests, is a non-breeding migrant to Southern africa!

Hwange is lucky enough to have all 5 species of Southern African Roller occuring in the park, 2 of which are migratory.

A male and female lion who put on quite a show.

One of the main challenges during the rainy season in Hwange is the difficulty of game viewing when the vegetation becomes thicker and greener. These animals become very camouflage behind the the vegetation, making game drives that much more exciting for the guides as well as the guests. 

I sat with my guests for a long time watching these lions, who really chose to entertain us. This male and female lion initially looked very relaxed and sleepy under the shade of the trees.

The male and female lioness then started mating. This was an incredible photographic opportunity.

I photographed these two giraffe on the concession during a game drive. During the rainy season in Hwange the vegetation changes significantly with excellent sightings of these beautiful giraffe, allowing great photographic opportunities. 

Carmine Bee-Eater

During the rainy season, Hwange has an abundance of migratory birds, such as these beautiful Carmine Bee-Eaters. 

Sunset at Mbiza

A beautiful African sunset to end the day.