Camera: Nikon Z9

Lens: Nikon VR 200-500 f5.6E

Aperture: f 5.6

Shutter speed: 1/640

ISO: 250

Description: Lions are usually active at night or in the early morning hours before it gets too hot for any activities like hunting. As a photographer it always a treat to see them in beautiful morning light.

Story from behind the lens: Almost immediately after leaving camp, we encountered a group of three lionesses strolling through the still dewy grass in search of prey. Hoping that the cats would still be somewhat active in the early morning hours and that we would get pictures in good light, we followed them along the Mara River. Suddenly, startled by the danger from the now blood-orange-red dawn, a group of wildebeest ran straight at us and disappeared into nothingness. We were rewarded: the morning sun and the dust of the savannah gave this brief moment in a beautiful play of colors and an almost mystical mood.