Vicki Santello

Camera: Canon R5

Lens: EF 600 mm f/4 III +1.4 III

Aperture: f /6.3

Shutter speed: 1/1250

ISO: ISO 6000

Description: At ground level, the tall grass provides safety for this serval kitten.

Story from behind the lens: A serval family made a home in deep grass during my stay in the Mara. Each of the three kittens grew in size and confidence during the month I was there. I especially wanted to tell the story of how they were growing up in their environment. With this goal in mind I worked daily to create a unique environmental image, I took advantage of being able to shoot at a low angle with my doors-off safari vehicle and my lens mounted on a tripod with the legs open flat. At 840mm, I was able to finally, one day, create the image that told the story of the safety and secrets of the long grass as seen at the eye level of this beautiful small feline.