Though lacking the power of lions and leopards, cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are the sleekest of all felines - lithe and lightening fast. And over the years based on my experience in the Mara-Serengeti eco-system I have come to appreciate that the great thing about spending extended time with these diurnal predators is the constant sense of anticipation of what might happen anytime. This is because these spotted beauties are almost always alert and active, looking around, moving. 
 We were privileged to be able to spend good time with this cheetah mother and her single tiny cub on a marvellous Mara morning as our family's host for that trip, Jonathan Scott of Big Cat diary fame, used his vast reservoir of knowledge to keep up an insightful TV documentary-like live commentary, uncannily predicting what the cheetah would do next!