Camera: Canon R5

Lens: Canon RF 70-200 f/2.8

Aperture: f/4

Shutter speed: 1/1250

ISO: 4000

Description: A close-up image of an elephant that graced us with its present

Story from behind the lens: One of the things that I really like about the Mara is how open it is in areas, which allows you to position yourself and allow the animals to come to you if all goes well. In this case, a small herd of elephants were walking through the plains, and heading somewhat towards us. We positioned our car where our guide thought they would head, and were lucky that they slowly came toward us. Eventually, they got so close that I had to put down my large lens and get the smaller 70-200 ready. It's always a great pleasure to spend time with relaxed elephants, and this close-up of the elephants face and eye really captures the feeling of intelligence one gets from them.