Camera: Canon R5

Lens: Canon EF f/4 600mm L IS USM II

Aperture: f4

Shutter speed: 1/800

ISO: 6400

Description: Portrait of a Beautiful male Lion up close and personal

Story from behind the lens: I've always been mesmerized by the eyes of a Lion, and deep down inside I would love to know what it is they are thinking and seeing. On my recent trip to the Mara, I envisioned getting a photo of a Lion's eyes, glowing, wide open and looking directly at me. Well, that's kinda what happened on this magical day. Our guide, Arnold, put us in the best position possible to achieve this photo. I knew it was magical as soon as I looked through the view finder of my camera. What I wasn't ready for was how lost I would become when eye contact was made! I was so mesmerized by the eyes, that I almost forgot to take the photo! After a few seconds (which felt like an hour), I slowly composed myself and took the photo! What I didn't realize at the time, was the story in this Lions eyes. It wasn't until I actually loaded the photo onto my computer, and zoomed into the eyes, that I realized the story in his eyes that I captured... A beautiful African sunset, along with our Safari vehicle!! It almost felt like I was looking through this Lions eyes! This is definitely a moment I will never forget and probably never capture again!