Camera: Nikon Z9

Lens: Nikkor 100-400/4.5-5.6S

Aperture: f/ 13

Shutter speed: 1/1000

ISO: 640

Description: Mother and her cub playing while she also teaches life skills

Story from behind the lens: While photographing adult mammals is very interesting, shooting newborns to subadults is absolutely exciting. When planning our initial drive, we stressed our enthusiasm for the young to our guide Bernard. Bernard had an idea of where to locate this family so we went. In the beginning the pair were sleeping but we waited and were not disappointed. We witnessed hours of beautiful interaction between this female and her cub. From running and playing to very tender moments of grooming and creasing.