Huzeifa Zakir
Camera: Canon EOS R3
Lens: 70-200 F2.8
Aperture: F2.8
Shutter speed: 1/1650
ISO: 8000
Description: The leopard, with regal poise ,rests beneath a majestic tree, its recent hunt dangling from a branch. As a thunder booms, the leopard remains unfazed.
Story from behind the lens: In the heart of the African savannah, we set out on a daring adventure to capture the essence of the wild & embarked on a journey to document the thrilling moments of nature's drama. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow across the land, I found myself positioned near a vast open plain. Little did we know that were we about to witness a battle between two formidable adversaries.
We spotted a stealthy leopard prowling through the plains, its eyes fixed on a group of warthogs grazing nearby. The leopard's lithe movements and focused gaze revealed its intent - a hunt was about to unfold. With bated breath, I clicked away, capturing each precise step the leopard took, ensuring he preserved the intensity of the moment. Suddenly, the leopard pounced, startling the warthogs into a frenzy. But one unfortunate warthog was unable to evade the leopard's grasp, becoming its prey.
As the victorious predator began to savor its hard-earned meal, a cacophony of hyena calls pierced the air. The leopard, aware of the imminent danger, abandoned its feast and bolted into the nearby bush with the hyenas hot on its trail. The pursuit weaved through the dense underbrush and twisted paths of the savannah, with the leopard displaying its agility and cunning to evade the relentless hyenas. Finally, the leopard found refuge in a remote thicket, its panting breath barely audible. ready to capture the next chapter of this captivating story.
After what felt like an eternity, the stormy skies above suddenly roared. Lightning illuminated the scene, revealing the leopard's magnificent form as it emerged from its hiding place. As if guided by fate, the leopard found itself in an open clearing, beneath the sheltering branches of a majestic tree. Serendipitously, it was the very same tree where its previous hunt's remains dangled. My lens captured the leopard's regal presence, framed against the backdrop of the storm. The dramatic contrast between the darkened sky and the leopard's sleek silhouette created an awe-inspiring image. In that moment, nature's raw power and beauty converged, leaving the photographer humbled by the forces that govern.