Camera: Nikon Z 9

Lens: Nikkor Z 400 mm f/4.5 VR S

Aperture: 4.3

Shutter speed: 1/200

ISO: 800

Description: Sub adult cheetah, sentinel duties

Story from behind the lens: Over a two week stay in the Mara Triangle this season I was privileged to see cheetah nearly every day. This image stands out to me as capturing the essence of this young cheetah’s journey into adulthood. Here he is looking out to the massive herds of wildebeest with a gleam in his eyes and a readiness to take on the task of hunting for food. He is on his toes, aware of what is happening around him, and shaded by the balanite tree above.