There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
Following on from Peteporker's post, if you look closely you can see the BBoy in all his modest glory here. Looks like it might be Nhenha judging by the full set of teeth on the previous shot. She snarls at him as he withdraws from a bout of mating! Credit: image by Bruce Arnott at Londolozi, posted September 24, 2018
Birmingham Male Lions Drinking in the Sunset: 4 Superb Photos From our Head of Finance - Londolozi blog by James Tyrrell, images by David Dampier, posted September 26, 2018.
David (Dampier) and Managing Director Chris Kane-Berman are both photographers of repute (although we’d never be foolish enough to actually tell them that), and regularly head out into the bush to keep themselves sharp. If only all their images were also as sharp. Preferring to go in the opposite direction to everyone else and work their own corner of the reserve, it’s not uncommon for them to come across amazing sightings that no one even knew were taking place. Such was the case recently when they were prowling round the far south-western corner of Londolozi and came across three of the Birmingham male lions at small pan. The lions were far out of their normal territory and no one even knew they had crossed into Londolozi. A picture is worth a thousand words and I’m only going to detract from the ones below if I carry on, so here are four of David’s best photos of the Birmingham males, drinking in the sunset.
Two of the brothers drink side-by-side. Whatever the reason for them drinking side-by-side – fear of crocodiles, maybe this was the best spot to drink or they just wanted some brotherly affection – the fact that two huge males are drinking so close together makes this a pretty spectacular image.
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Separating themselves slightly, one of the males then moved round to the eastern side of the waterhole, towards where three of the Ntsevu lionesses were sleeping (out of picture).
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Windy conditions over the last few weeks have stirred much dust up into the atmosphere, resulting in a thick haze that turns the afternoon light gold far earlier. Sunsets are more spectacular, light is generally softer, and contrasts aren’t as harsh. Having the soft light falling on a male lion drinking doesn’t hurt either.
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Stretching and yawning; by far the best signs lions can give you. They are about to get moving, so keep the camera ready.
Nsuku. Credit: image by Ale Olivieri at Djuma, posted September 4, 2018.
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In the past six months the Birminghams have predominantly been seen with the Ntsevu/Kambula pride around the Sand River in Malamala and Londolozi. However, in the last few weeks they've been patrolling further afield on their own. Of course it's the natural instinct of male lions in their prime to spread their genes far and wide, but I hope they stick around the Kambulas long enough to protect their cubs from other males, especially since these cubs have such an interesting pedigree.
MALAMALA TODAY: September 25th-27th. 23 big cat sightings were recorded over the last 3 days as well as 2 sightings of Cape hunting dogs, several herds of buffalo and many elephants. Lions: The members of the Kambula pride and Gowrie male coalition have been spending virtually all of their time along the Sand River between MalaMala Camp and Rattray’s Camp. Water is a scarce commodity at this time of year and so the pools of water in the river attract an abundance of game while the stands of tall reeds on the sandbanks make for excellent cover from which these lions are launching their attacks. We viewed them with nyala, impala and bushbuck kills. The cubs have also been moved back into the Sand River after a brief stay at Styx Rocks. One of the Gowrie Coalition on the banks of the Sand River. Credit: image by Stuart Lockyer at Malamala, poster September 28, 2018
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Credit: image by Irene Nathanson, posted September 24, 2018
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Credit: image by Nic Nel, posted September 23, 2018
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Credit: image by Jaques Proust, September 27, 2018
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Credit: image by Cameron Inggs, posted September 28, 2018
Who is the most dominant of the 3 birmingham boys (being that mfumo is still missing)? I see Nhenna and Tinyo doing the most mating I would think its between those 2 but not sure .
(10-02-2018, 05:13 AM)J-boVFL Wrote: Who is the most dominant of the 3 birmingham boys (being that mfumo is still missing)? I see Nhenna and Tinyo doing the most mating I would think its between those 2 but not sure .
In the begining it was Nsuku because he was the oldest but since they moved South seems like Nhenha is clearly the most dominant of the three and does the most mating of all three
I was thinking that too Nhenna is significantly bigger than the other 2 tinyo does seem aggressive but I've never seen footage of them scrapping it out for a female I have noticed that Nhenna gets the ladies a lot more often which is the main indicator he is the most dominant.
Yes I think Nhenha is the most dominant and probably has been for a some time, even when Mfumo was around. He is equally large, but has those killers' eyes like Nsuku that always seem focused on some threat or prey. As far as getting the lionesses, I suspect the lionesses aren't immune to his classic good looks either, in terms of passing on healthy genes, whereas videos of Mfumo and Tinyo around the lionesses often seems to show some level of unwilling participation from the lionesses. Credit: image by Allen Frankel at Londolozi, posted October 1, 2018
But I'm still holding out for the big clown to return to show us who really is the boss. Credit: image by Jors Dannhauser at Nkorho, posted June 14, 2017
10-02-2018, 04:11 PM( This post was last modified: 10-02-2018, 04:11 PM by jordi6927 )
(10-02-2018, 12:34 PM)Herekitty Wrote: But I'm still holding out for the big clown to return to show us who really is the boss. Credit: image by Jors Dannhauser at Nkorho, posted June 14, 2017
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I hope Im wrong but Mfumo isnt coming back ... if it hasnt happened by now then he is gone ... probably lost to a poacher or injury from hunting a buffalo ... thats just my opinion ..... again, I hope Im wrong ... I would love to see him with his brothers
