Camera: Nikon Z9

Lens: Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S

Aperture: 5.0

Shutter speed: 1/640

ISO: 160

Description: As a herd of wildebeest headed up the bank after crossing the Mara River at Peninsula, a lioness sprinted out from a small gully in the bank. She made a massive leap up the rock face to her target.

Story from behind the lens: My visit to the Mara Triangle this year was exceptional. The crossing photographed here held more drama than I could imagine. There were actually three lioness hiding along the bank and one of them made her move in spectacular fashion. I was fortunate to have a good spot to capture the action. This image conveys the amazing power of the lioness on the hunt. The whole scene lasted mere seconds as I worked to keep the lioness and the unfolding scene in my view finder. The agility, speed and power of the lioness was awesome. I love that this scene has all of the elements of the moment: surprise, flight, power, agility, and speed from all of the actors, wildebeest herd and lioness.