Hi Ken,
I like the intense, straight-ahead stare and the starkness of the surrounding. He seems to have something on his mind. The curved paw gives a sense of motion. I think it could use a tiny bit of sharpening but that's a personal preference. He seems to have a skinny face, is this a younger lion?
Steve
I would have loved a bit more DoF. Love the looks. He definitely means business. I would have loved some more space at the bottom. This image will also work in the vertical format.
A bit more room under the paws would be nice. It a crop you can add it back. I also agree more sharpening is needed. Other then that a well done image. I like the placement of the lion in the image and the raised paw adds a nice sense of motion.
I fully agree with Roberts comments here....great powerful looking lion....which needs just a bit more space at the bottom. The shadows in the eyes are always a problem with large mammals like this....only some lower light would have helped here.