A busy week has allowed for less time in my usual areas of the South Luangwa. I did spent a couple of mornings on safari (sightings to follow at the end of this blog) but before that, I had a number of photoshoot assignments and an interesting trip to the interior of the National Park to explore a lesser-visited wetlands in the headwaters of the Mwamba and Chikaya streams.

My visit to Frank’s Lakes is best documented on my Instagram stories though viewing on a phone is preferable so that you have sound. (Have a look at July’s highlight for an archive of all stories this month including Frank’s Lakes).

We also experienced the edge of a storm front that gave rain to some areas but just brought us cold nights and a lot of wind! We took the chance to get out our kites and fly them along the edge of the Luangwa River. Nature gave us a superb sunset to go alongside.

At the end of last year, I took on a trainee photographer who I am helping to build his own photography business in Mfuwe. Jozy Mtalika (follow him at @jozy_creative_photography) is a Mfuwe resident who has come through the excellent Chipembele Wildlife Education Programme. He has a good grasp of photographic skills but not much experience of the business-side of photography. We are working together on commercial shoots for local NGOs, wedding shoots, sports events and lodge photography. Of course, COVID has reduced dramatically the scope of the work that I can introduce him to, but I still have a number of shoots this year which he has joined.

Wildlife image from photo safari with edward selfe.

Photographing with Jozy at a local charity project which is renovating an orphanage.

My second photoshoot this week was for one of the local lodges which is collating its favourite recipes into a book and selling to raise funds for a local conservation NGO. More on this project soon, but this is just a sneak peek of some of the delicious food included in the book…and some images from the farm where much of the produce is grown.

Wildlife image from photo safari with edward selfe.

Wildlife image from photo safari with edward selfe.

Wildlife image from photo safari with edward selfe.

Wildlife image from photo safari with edward selfe.

Wildlife image from photo safari with edward selfe.

Wildlife image from photo safari with edward selfe.

And finally, to the wildlife sightings of the week which are somewhat reduced compared to previous weeks, mostly due to time spent on photoshoots, at Frank’s Lakes….and the cloudy weather!

Wildlife image from photo safari with edward selfe.

On a cold, windy and stormy morning, elephants clustered on the far bank of the river…..

Wildlife image from photo safari with edward selfe.

….before finally venturing into the water to cross.

Wildlife image from photo safari with edward selfe.

Every year, the giraffes have to find new places to cross the river. This year their explorations are later as the water is so high. This small group had several attempts before giving up.

Wildlife image from photo safari with edward selfe.

The Crowned Eagles were busy on the cold morning, at first moving some large furniture into the nest….

Wildlife image from photo safari with edward selfe.

…the size of the nesting material is clearer here (even if a branch crept into the foreground of the frame…

Wildlife image from photo safari with edward selfe.

….before mating at the nest! Yes, it seems that we will certainly have a second chick at that original nest site! In a few days, the first egg will be laid, followed by another a couple of days after that. 50 days of incubation follows during which we may see the male bringing food to the female and thereafter….hopefully… a downy, white chick. Fingers crossed.

Thank you, as always, for following along and your kind comments and support. This message hopes to find you well, healthy and in view of the small flicker of light at the end of the COVID tunnel. Tomorrow, we leave for North Luangwa National Park for some R&R and the chance to photograph in some new areas. Updates when connection allows!