Torie Hilley

Camera: Canon R5

Lens: Canon RF 400mm f/2.8

Aperture: F/2.8

Shutter speed: 1/1250

ISO: 100

Description: Bahati and her cub walk through the grass

Story from behind the lens: It was my first time to the Mara, let alone Kenya, and I heard of a female leopard having a cub. Of course, we all hoped to see her, but we kept our expectations low just in case. On our second day in the Mara, we were enjoying some birdlife when our guide, Arnold, revved his engine. “Bahati and her cub are out – want to go?!” We didn’t have to think twice to decide, and away we flew. We were one of the first vehicles in the area and she greeted us with her cub so beautifully and calmly. There was a moment of tenderness between mother and cub, but once more vehicles started to swarm the scene like bees, they started to move faster and towards cover of the bushes. They were not to be seen again for the remainder of our stay.