Thomas Nicholson

Camera: Canon R5

Lens: RF 400mm f/2.8

Aperture: f/2.8

Shutter speed: 1/800

ISO: 1000

Description: One of the Rongai males exhibits the Flehmen response

Story from behind the lens: We had spent several days in Naboisho Conservancy, which has a very high lion concentration that is dominated by the Ilkisiusiu pride. We were fortunate to spend an extend period of time with them as they went about their lives, including watching them care for their young cubs and make several successful kills. It was also exciting that the 3 pride males were around the entire time, and they were taking an active role in family life. At this time, the family was resting but the males weren't so relaxed, and so I focused on them. Here we see the Flehmen response from a male, presumably due to a receptive female in the pride.