Sean Owens

Camera: Nikon D850

Lens: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

Aperture: f/2.8

Shutter speed: 1/1600

ISO: 800

Description: lioness eating with jackal in the background

Story from behind the lens: We watched a lioness catch a baby impala that was no more than 24-48 hours old. The lioness ate her meal while the mother impala frantically circled the periphery. The lioness was oblivious to everything but eating her meal. The rest of the pride was kept at bay while she ate and soon jackals began to circle hoping for a meal of leftovers. The scene was both heartbreaking and gritty in it's realism. My wife was visibly moved by the scene and the young daughter of our friend who accompanied us tried to console my wife by telling her that "Lions need to eat too." That evening over sundowners, everyone took time to reflect over the "Circle of Life." It seems like a quaint turn of phrase till you witness it in person.