Monarchs of the Mara
It was very early in the morning, the first light just beginning to touch the grasslands of the Masai Mara when we found 2 magnificent male lions.
The tension between them was unmistakable. Both were drawn by the same temptation: two lionesses in heat nearby. The dominant male clearly wanted both for himself, asserting his right as leader of the pair. But when one of the lionesses turned her attention to his brother, that fragile balance shattered. With a deep roar and a flash of claws, the dominant male issued a brutal, unmistakable warning — a reminder of who ruled this patch of savanna.
We were able to stay with them for 2 whole hours, completely alone, no other vehicles around. Because we kept a respectable distance, all 4 lions behaved totally natural. I couldn't have wished for a more wonderful sighting.
To me, this shot - for sure - ranks in the top 3 of safari-photographs I've ever taken.
Canon R1
Canon EF600mm f/4L IS II USM
ISO 2000, f7.1, 1/3200s
Monarchs of the Mara
It was very early in the morning, the first light just beginning to touch the grasslands of the Masai Mara when we found 2 magnificent male lions.
The tension between them was unmistakable. Both were drawn by the same temptation: two lionesses in heat nearby. The dominant male clearly wanted both for himself, asserting his right as leader of the pair. But when one of the lionesses turned her attention to his brother, that fragile balance shattered. With a deep roar and a flash of claws, the dominant male issued a brutal, unmistakable warning — a reminder of who ruled this patch of savanna.
We were able to stay with them for 2 whole hours, completely alone, no other vehicles around. Because we kept a respectable distance, all 4 lions behaved totally natural. I couldn't have wished for a more wonderful sighting.
To me, this shot - for sure - ranks in the top 3 of safari-photographs I've ever taken.
Canon R1
Canon EF600mm f/4L IS II USM
ISO 2000, f7.1, 1/3200s