Kathy Karn

Camera: Fuji XT-4

Lens: XF100-400m OIS WR +1.4 converter

Aperture: f 9.0

Shutter speed: 1/800 sec

ISO: 400

Description: The steady glare from this cheetah, a member of the famous Tatu Bora coalition of the Maasai Mara, communicates a clear message “this is mine, back off.”

Story from behind the lens: We followed the trio of the famous Tatu Bora for most of the morning. After a couple of failed hunting attempts the cats settled down under some shrubs to rest and we moved on. Thirty minutes later we learned they'd successfully killed an impala. We raced to the area in time to see one of the cheetahs dragging the corpse under a bush. He feasted on the kill until his brothers showed up and joined in. The big cats wasted no time devouring their kill before resident hyenas caught the scent of the prize. I was able to get this shot when the cheetah raised his head above the bloody remains of the impala. The eye contact added power to the story and the dappled light highlighted his face and spotted coat. I love the black line of tears that run from the cheetah's eyes to his chin.