Laura Donovan
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T6i
Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6IS STM
Aperture: 5.6
Shutter speed: 1/4000
ISO: 1600
Description: Cheetah cubs love toying with their prey before going in for the kill. Here, two cubs practice catching a dik-dik at lunch time.
Story from behind the lens: The dry-season sun beat down on the Mara as these two hungry cheetah cubs and their mom hunted for lunch. Our driver followed their trek across the rocky landscape in search of a meal that could at least tide them over until dinner. A dik-dik, barely hidden by a small bush, offered a long-awaited opportunity. The cheetahs sprang into action -- as did I, grabbing my camera and preparing to shoot. The cubs toyed with the dik-dik as I snapped away, at once hoping they'd put it out of its misery but also relishing the chance to grab such a magnificent photo.