Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Lens: EF70-200mm

Aperture: f/5.6

Shutter speed: 1/6400

ISO: 1000

Description: Cub crossing

Story from behind the lens: On one of my first photo safari trips, we were following a lion family of 6. The family consisted of two lionesses that were from the original Marsh Pride - Yaya and Pamoja, along with their 4 small cubs.

At some point during the day, the family had come to a small ravine that had filled with water and needed to cross it. The lioness' jumped first, crossing with ease, and then called for their cubs to follow. The cubs however needed little persuasion. Possibly hesitating to get their paws wet - they cried for some time in hope that their moms would turn back and get them. But they didn't. So after much calling from their moms, the cubs realized they had to cross it alone.

The cub that grabbed my attention was the one I captured. He was particularly hesitant in getting wet. He tapped around for a bit trying to find a sturdy place to take his leap! He tried his very best to imitate his mama's graceful leap - however, got to the other side just a little wetter and muddier than his mom. Unfortunately, 2 of the cubs didn't survive that year. Pamoja also died in 2022, and Yaya currently looking after the last 2 cubs.