Vicki Santello

Camera: Canon R5

Lens: EF 600mm f/4 III

Aperture: f/5.6

Shutter speed: 1/1250

ISO: 5000

Description: A lioness, her sister and one of their cubs love on each other!

Story from behind the lens: Two lionesses and one of their cubs spent a loving moment with licks and head rubs and body rubs. They were so relaxed! They gave me lots of time to compose images that conveyed their family bond. Their contentment and intimacy was palpable. I took the image from my doors-off safari vehicle, positioned at a distance, to respect their space and tolerance for our presence. My camera was set up on a tripod, with legs extended flat, for a low-angle.