Exhaustion

[Hilary Hann]

It was very hot and we had been following a pride of lions as they made a determined march across the Mara plains stopping only to drink from a small puddle. We initially thought they were moving to a group of trees to rest in the shade, but they passed all the best spots, passed suitable prey herds and kept walking. My guide surmised that they were actually moving through another prides territory and we did find another lion and lioness close by resting under a tree, the lioness with a nasty gash on her face so I don't know what the story was.
These lions were tired, and the lead male had a lot of drool hanging out of his mouth. The demeanour of the whole pride was depressed so I wanted to try and show that in the photo (although only 3 of the pride are shown here) by keeping it monotone and a bit dark. I don't know whether I've overdone it or managed to get the mood across so any C&C welcome.
7D; 100-400 @ 400; ISO400; 1/1000 @ f7.1 Hand held, late morning

[Ofer Levy]

I like this. The oof animlas add a lot in here IMO.

[Robert Amoruso]

Great juxtaposition Hilary. You really capture the fact they are parched.

[Sid Garige]

Very nice image Hilary. Like the b&W feel.

[Steve Canuel]

You perfectly captured what you described in my eyes. The look on the lead lion's face says that he's tired and just pushing himself to keep moving. The drool adds to the mood as do the two lionesses in the BG.

[Hilary Hann]

Thank you all for the comments, very much appreciate the feedback.

[Ken Watkins]

Hilary,

You would expect me to say can we see the colour version

He looks quite tired.

[Todd Frost]

Very well done Hilary. Mood captured very well. As mentioned the drool and oof pair behind add to this image. Conversion looks good.
TFS
Todd

[Grant Atkinson]

All looks good Hilary, the mood is captured, and the OOF lionesses positioned perfectly make the shot for me. Your info on what the shot meant to you helps a lot..
cheers
Grant

[Steve Kaluski]

All been said above here Hilary. The B/W treatment works extremely well, good choice, as colour just hasn't the impact.

Would like to see a bit more below.

TFS
Steve

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks Todd, Grant and Steve. Steve, I wondered about some more space below the lead lion, but only after I'd posted it. I do have a small amount of extra room so can adjust it later.

Ken, I prefer to leave it as is, but thanks.

[Ken Watkins]

Ken, I prefer to leave it as is, but thanks.

OK it is your choice

[Rachel Hollander]

Hilary - the conversion works really well here and conveys the mood you described. I too would prefer a little more room below.

TFS,
Rachel

[Vivaldo Damilano]

I also like the B&W conversion, great feel to it. The out of focus lions work very nicely IMO and like the drool plus open mouth. I also think the image would improve with a bit more space at the bottom TFS

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks Rachel and Vivaldo.

[Harshad Barve]

Love the design of this image Hilary
TFS