Camera: Nikon D5

Lens: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500 f/5.6E ED VR

Aperture: F/7.1

Shutter speed: 1/5000

ISO: 400

Description: Cheetah sitting on a dirt mount , looking into a distance with early morning sun shining on her .

Story from behind the lens: This picture captures a tranquil moment of peaceful serenity. We arrived at the waterhole as the early morning sun was rising. I had readied my camera and was delighted to discover that a family of cheetahs had gathered to enjoy the first rays of the sun. The mother cheetah was well known to me as I had seen her on a number of occasions in prior visits. I was pleased to note that she had all her cubs with her from last year. This picture captures her full majesty with the soft illumination of the morning light and the unique background of the waterhole. For me the picture conveys the feeling of classical Africa! But you learn that things change very quickly in the wild and the Cheetah suddenly became very nervous and her cubs hurried to her and the moment was gone. They disappeared into the distance and five minutes later we discovered two male lions approaching the watering hole. But at least I have this one moment in time .