Camera: Nikon D850

Lens: 70-200mm f/2.8

Aperture: f/6.3

Shutter speed: 1/1600

ISO: 100

Description: A lone topi stands atop one of the Mara's many, many mounds

Story from behind the lens: The Mara is covered in old termite mounds, and most termite mounds are found with Topi on top. The result? A lot of scenes like this. The sight is so common that it has become a rarity I stop and photograph it anymore. As so often though it is the light in this image that creates the feeling, not the subject. I always try and explain this to photographic safari guests and often use this image as an example. If I took the clouds and light rays out of the background and replaced it with a blue sky it would lose all its impact. If, however, I replaced the topi with a lion would it change the feel of the image? I expect not. In fact, perhaps the vulnerability of the lone topi to the Mara’s many predators is emphasised by the dark clouds. Either way, I will certainly be paying more attention to Topi in the future.