Vrinda Bhatnagar

Camera: Sony A1

Lens: FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS

Aperture: f / 5.6

Shutter speed: 1/200 sec

ISO: 6400

Description: The last few moments before this cheetah, with the help of the other three from the coalition, took down this topi in a high speed chase.

Story from behind the lens: This image was made when the famed Tano Bora had 4 members left.

During the course of making this image (November 2021), the 4 remaining cheetahs stalked and waited for about three hours until sundown to take this topi down. Initially the hunt was a little ill planned in that the leading cheetah started his chase and the topi suddenly changed direction, leading the cheetah to go off track. He soon regained his balance and caught up with the topi. The rest of the action post this shot took place out of our view, to the left of our vehicle, such was the speed of the chase. They finally did take the topi down easily enough.

ISO was increased to 6400 because of the fast fading light, and a slower shutter speed for a slight motion effect.