Camera: Sony A7iii

Lens: Tamron E 150-500mm 5-6.7

Aperture: 6.3

Shutter speed: 1/3200

ISO: 1000

Description: A male cheetah is confronted by a herd of wildebeest as he walks on by.

Story from behind the lens: The sun had only just recently come out from behind the clouds and beckoned the Mbili Bora forth into action. Having seen them wake up, scan the surroundings and assess hunting opportunities, we followed them as they walked across the grassland. Spotted by a herd of impala, the changed their focus and considered a bigger target: wildebeest. Shortly before this image was shot, we witnessed them rolling and covering themselves in wildebeest dung (I couldn't help but see amusing similarities between this behaviour and my dog who used to gleefully roll herself in fox excrement when we lived in Scotland). As predicted by my guide, this act confused the wildebeest who started charging forward as a unit confronting the cheetah en masse. I captured a series of images as they nonchalantly strolled past a section of the herd, acting as though they had no interest in them whatsoever. This image is a personal favourite of mine from my trip as the confusion of the wildebeest is palpable - they are facing the cheetah, but their bodies aren't fully committed, while the cheetah doesn't even give them a second glance. No kill was made during this sighting, but observing the behaviour of both predator and prey was reward enough for me.