Instagram Takeover – James Tyrrell

From spectacular leopards, to brown snake eagles taking flight, to gorgeous hyena cubs… and so much more… our great friend, James Tyrell, has expertly captured the Sabi Sands in all its glory here.

Presenting the #IATakeover by great friend and talented photographer @jamotyrrell #1 – A Brown Snake Eagle takes to the air in front of the full moon. These raptors are not considered true eagles, as they don’t have fully feathered legs. Hardened scale-like skin instead helps protect them from the bites of their serpentine prey. #IATakeover #iconicafrica #iconicmoments #Africa #SouthAfrica #brownsnakeeagle #raptors #JamesTakeover #safari #adventure #nature #unforgettable

A post shared by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Dec 20, 2017 at 5:28am PST

Presenting the #IATakeover by great friend and talented photographer @jamotyrrell #2 – Hippos generally start getting active into the evening, and being at a waterhole in the last light of the afternoon is generally the best time to photograph them. #IATakeover #iconicafrica #iconicmoments #Africa #SouthAfrica #brownsnakeeagle #raptors #JamesTakeover #safari #adventure #nature #unforgettable

A post shared by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Dec 20, 2017 at 5:36am PST

Presenting the #IATakeover by great friend and talented photographer @jamotyrrell #3 – Hyenas have a much higher success rate in raising their young than other large carnivores, up to 80% in some areas. A contributing factor is their long-term use of safe den sites, such as the one these two cubs were lying outside of.. #IATakeover #iconicafrica #iconicmoments #Africa #SouthAfrica #brownsnakeeagle #raptors #JamesTakeover #safari #adventure #nature #unforgettable

A post shared by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Dec 20, 2017 at 5:38am PST

Presenting the #IATakeover by great friend and talented photographer @jamotyrrell #4 – Often vilified, hyenas in fact play a vital role as a keystone species in the ecosystem. With newborn impala lambs currently in abundance, the hyenas at Londolozi have been abandoning their traditional role as scavengers, taking to hunting the almost defenceless young antelope. #IATakeover #iconicafrica #iconicmoments #Africa #SouthAfrica #brownsnakeeagle #raptors #JamesTakeover #safari #adventure #nature #unforgettable

A post shared by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Dec 20, 2017 at 5:40am PST

Presenting the #IATakeover by great friend and talented photographer @jamotyrrell #5 – The young female leopard had just taken this impala down from out of a herd. The commotion among the rest of the impala attracted a hyena within a few minutes, and the leopard ended up losing her kill before she could hoist it. #IATakeover #iconicafrica #iconicmoments #Africa #SouthAfrica #brownsnakeeagle #raptors #JamesTakeover #safari #adventure #nature #unforgettable

A post shared by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Dec 20, 2017 at 8:26am PST

Presenting the #IATakeover by great friend and talented photographer @jamotyrrell #6 – Soft evening light illuminates a leopard cub that was nervously awaiting the return of its mother from where she was feeding on her kill. #IATakeover #iconicafrica #iconicmoments #Africa #SouthAfrica #brownsnakeeagle #raptors #JamesTakeover #safari #adventure #nature #unforgettable

A post shared by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Dec 20, 2017 at 8:28am PST

Presenting the #IATakeover by great friend and talented photographer @jamotyrrell #7 – This female lives in the deep south of Londolozi and is not often seen. Currently raising two cubs, on the occasions on which she is found with them, the sightings are generally spectacular. #IATakeover #iconicafrica #iconicmoments #Africa #SouthAfrica #brownsnakeeagle #raptors #JamesTakeover #safari #adventure #nature #unforgettable

A post shared by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Dec 20, 2017 at 8:30am PST

 

Presenting the #IATakeover by great friend and talented photographer @jamotyrrell. #1 Two sisters from Londolozi’s Ntsevu pride, a group of six lionesses currently controlling the eastern sector of the reserve. #iconicafrica #iconicmoments #Africa #SouthAfrica #Londolozi #gamereserve #safari #adventure #nature #unforgettable #luxury #luxurytravel

A post shared by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Jan 15, 2018 at 12:18am PST

Presenting the #IATakeover by great friend and talented photographer @jamotyrrell. #2 Red billed queleas were found in Abundance this winter on Londolozi, being seen drinking in the Sand River every evening in flocks that numbered over 10 000! #iconicafrica #iconicmoments #Africa #SouthAfrica #Londolozi #gamereserve #safari #adventure #nature #unforgettable #luxury #luxurytravel

A post shared by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Jan 15, 2018 at 12:19am PST

Presenting the #IATakeover by great friend and talented photographer @jamotyrrell. #3 A wallowing white rhino bull is framed perfectly between the legs of a giraffe that was approaching the waterhole. #iconicafrica #iconicmoments #Africa #SouthAfrica #gamereserve #safari #adventure #nature #unforgettable #luxury #luxurytravel

A post shared by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Jan 15, 2018 at 12:23am PST

Presenting the #IATakeover by great friend and talented photographer @jamotyrrell. #4 A steppe eagle comes in to land. These migratory eagles are said to time their arrival in the Lowveld to coincide with the impala birthing season, during which time they feed on the impala afterbirth. #iconicafrica #iconicmoments #Africa #SouthAfrica #gamereserve #safari #adventure #nature #unforgettable #luxury #luxurytravel

A post shared by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Jan 15, 2018 at 12:24am PST

Presenting the #IATakeover by great friend and talented photographer @jamotyrrell. #6 A white rhino bull moves sedately across a clearing between middens. Big bulls like this can control an area for many years, giving them mating rights over all the females who may pass through. #iconicafrica #iconicmoments #Africa #SouthAfrica #gamereserve #safari #adventure #nature #unforgettable #luxury #luxurytravel

A post shared by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Jan 15, 2018 at 12:28am PST

Presenting the #IATakeover by great friend and talented photographer @jamotyrrell. #7 Wild dogs play in high spirits in the aftermath of a successful hunt. Highly energetic animals, this particular pack kept their activity levels up, well into the morning on this day, as conditions were cloudy and relatively cool. #iconicafrica #iconicmoments #Africa #SouthAfrica #gamereserve #safari #adventure #nature #unforgettable #luxury #luxurytravel

A post shared by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Jan 15, 2018 at 12:28am PST

For more of James’ exquisite photographs follow @jamotyrrell on Instagram.