Camera: Canon EOS R5

Lens: RF 100-500mm F4.5/7.1 L IS USM

Aperture: f/6.3

Shutter speed: 1/400

ISO: 3200

Description: A male lion awakes and yawns, chasing off the exorbitant number of flies on his nose.

Story from behind the lens: On this brilliant night, our guide Kiarie thought it would be good to make a final check on the Topi pride before heading back to camp. We were the only ones present, resulting not only in some fantastic private time with the pride and it's 14 cubs, but also providing other opportunities. One of the males of the pride woke up and walked towards us. I got a few nice shots of him walking with a longer 500mm lens, but decided I'd swap with a lighter and more flexible zoom lens to try to get some close-up vertical shots when he would be right next to us. Usually these shots are not a big succes, but you have to try right?

Just as he passed our vehicle (perfectly positioned by Kiarie who anticipated where the lion would go) he made a big yawn, chasing off the many flies still hitchhiking. I ripped off a burst of shots and got this moment just right.