William Fortescue

Camera: Nikon Z7ii

Lens: 70-200

Aperture: f/4

Shutter speed: 1/2000

ISO: 400

Description: A lioness carries her cub from here to there, staring me down as she does so

Story from behind the lens: This is only the second time I have witnessed this behaviour. We found Spot and Little Red just outside camp one morning, standing guard over a young cub. As we watched the cub was taken by the scruff of the neck and carried to an area they clearly though safer. We followed gently, praying for a moment she would turn and look down my camera lens. She obliged only once, offering once chance for a photo, her gaze as intense as the cubs position is passive.