Camera: CANON EOS R

Lens: SIGMA 150-600 mm, F5-6.3

Aperture: F7.1

Shutter speed: 1/1250

ISO: 1000

Description: This is Nashipae, a new mother in her first week, fiercely guarding her lrecious cubs!!

Story from behind the lens: On our game drive's final afternoon, our guide Denis Lekina quietly raced, raising our expectations. But we never thought it's Nashipae, since we had only glimpsed her from afar two days ago. We were overjoyed, having seen it live after only witnessing her on the Discovery Channel. This picture didn't come easy; we started with 15 safari vans, but we were the only vehicle that endured until the magical moment. After 3 days of searching and a 5-hour scorching wait, she emerged, tears welled in my wife's and my eyes as we captured this precious moment, a first-time photographer's dream!