Riverside playtime.

[Marc Mol]

6.18pm and a trio of lion cubs play in sweet light along the dry riverbank of the Mwagusi, watched closely by their mothers just off to the left.

The dry grass in front of the leading cub was unavoidable and this became the best position (and frame) to capture any sort of an open view.

Ruaha Nat Park- Tanzania

Nikon D810
Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8
1/500s
f/8
ISO720@ 55mm.
F/F, bean bag- front pax seat, curves, levels, TK adj's in ACR & PS CC '17.

Cheers
Marc

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Marc a happy new year ...
Lovely moody lighting in the frame and the three musketeers are as sweet as they can be .A bit sad that you have the grass stems there , but as you say unavoidable in that situation so no deal breaker .
Like the colors and the sky is wonderful .
A good starter for 2017
TFS Andreas

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Marc,

Those vivid colours are so appealing, I want to go there:) Love the playful trio, they set the mood for the scene. I do not mind the grasses, they still allow for those cute little faces to show.

The words that come to mind right now are " innocence and beauty". I cannot help but notice a certain dreamy quality to this frame. The little cubs and their joyful ride, exploring the unknown, a reminder to us all of the diversity of life on the planet. Bear in mind there must be a powerful lioness somewhere in the shadows, right?

Very inspiring Marc and I thoroughly enjoyed viewing, well processed and presented - thank you for sharing.

Kind regards,

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Marc - I'm not sure about this one. For me the lions are somewhat lost as I find myself looking more at the distant vista and sky. The grasses aren't great but I understand that the lions didn't cooperate. It would have been sweet to have them on the sand and a little higher in the frame. I do applaud your willingness to grab the wide angle and go for the wider shot.

TFS,
Rachel

[Marc Mol]

Many thanks Andreas, Rachel & Gabriela

Those vivid colours are so appealing, I want to go there:) ,

You simply must put Ruaha on your bucket list Gabriela, I absolutely know your heart would feel home here as well.

[haseeb badar]

Hi Marc -- Lovely scene , but i am with Rachel here , the subjects are somewhat lost in the frame and too add on the grass blades are also not helping the cause. A wide angle perspective though provides an altogether different mood to the image .

TFS !

[Mike Hitchen]

I quite like this image - it is one of those that breaks the expected compositions but at the same time, for me, works because of it. There is a 'small cub, big world' feel and the fact you look at the scenery first then find the cubs lower down is often how it works in the wild. That one strong vertical stem is about the only thing that jars but other than that I like the way you have done something different.

[keith mitchell]

Marc it's a marvelous piece of work even without the Loins,such beautiful colours and different light and shade on this vast piece of landscape,playful cubs are icing on the cake,excellent.

Happy New Year Marc.

Keith.