Cradled in the game-rich bushveld on the western fringes of South Africa's Kruger National Park, Londolozi Private Game Reserve is probably best known for its big cats. But beyond the rosettes and tawny coats is a more secretive world seldom seen. Field guide and photographer, Rob Crankshaw, recently put together a collection of macro photos featuring some of the reserve's smaller inhabitants and often-overlooked flowers and trees. Here's a look at Londolozi's "little life":
Serrated hinged terrapin. Closely related to turtles and tortoises, terrapins take up residence in the reserve's fresh-water drinking holes and in parts of the Sand River. "Before helping this little guy to a body of water where he would feel safer, I captured this image of his head and eye retracted sideways into its carapace before [the terrapin] scuttled off into the water." Image © Rob Crankshaw
Olive whip snake: "From time to time we bump into snakes in the camp area and for everyone’s sake – humans as well as the snakes – we will do our best to catch them and release them away from the camp and into the bush. This completely harmless olive whip snake was one such individual that was caught and released." Image © Rob Crankshaw
Impala lily: The vibrant pink and white of the impala lily (Adenium multiflorum) add a splash of colour to the dry winter bushscape. Image © Rob Crankshaw
Marbled tree snake: With their bright yellow eyes and intricate scale patterns, marbled tree snakes make for wonderful photographic subjects (although they can be quite elusive). This photogenic reptile was spotted in a tree near one of the reserve's rest camps. Image © Rob Crankshaw
Marbled tree snake: Another angle showing the snake's distinctive yellow eye. Marbled tree snakes are harmless to humans, but they will not hesitate to strike if they feel threatened. Image © Rob Crankshaw
Bee on blue waterlilly: Capturing the smaller inhabitants of the African bush requires a lot of patience, and a fair share of good luck. "I had to be very patient and wait for a bee to land on the particular flower I was focused on and also keep still for a millisecond whilst facing the camera. In the end I finally got the shot." Image © Rob Crankshaw
Flap-necked chameleon: Flap-necked chameleons spend most of their time amongst the branches of trees and bushes where they use their impressive tongues to snag unsuspecting insects. "The feet of this flap-necked chameleon were gripping on strongly, and I felt that as these reptile’s eyes are usually the focus point of any photo of them, I’d try something different." Image © Rob Crankshaw
Flap-necked chameleon eye: Like all chameleons, this emerald looker has eyes that sit on cone-shaped turrets and can move independently, allowing the chameleon to look in two different directions simultaneously. Image © Rob Crankshaw
Russet bushwillow seed pod: The seed pods of Combretum hereroense can be brewed in water to make a pleasant tea. Image © Rob Crankshaw
Combretum seed pods: In summer, the russet bushwillow’s pods are a brilliant russet-red, changing to a coppery-brown later in the season. Here you can see "a layer of fallen Combretum seed pods, all at different stages of decomposition". Image © Rob Crankshaw
Backlit grass: "The day I photographed this feathery species of grass [it] was slightly overcast so the light was muted which gave a very gently backlit effect." Image © Rob Crankshaw
Flap-necked chameleon: This image clearly shows the chameleon's independently swivelling eyes. "This one was slowly stalking a butterfly that was on the branch in front of it, but the butterfly got spooked before the chameleon could get close." Image © Rob Crankshaw
Spider on egg sac: Female spiders are often much larger than the males as they are responsible for producing broods and protecting the tiny spiderlings when they hatch. Spiders lay their eggs in clusters and wrap them up in a flocculent silk that traps air to help insulate the eggs and protect them from dehydration and predators. Image © Rob Crankshaw
Painted reed frog: "These tiny frogs have the ability to change their skin colour between white and a dark, almost black colour which is believed to help with thermoregulation and moisture control." Image © Rob Crankshaw
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Predator vs Prey
