22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Graceful Gaze
On July 28, 2024, in the Maasai Mara, amidst the high-stakes tension of a wildebeest hunt, a cheetah momentarily paused its pursuit to walk gracefully and turn its head toward me, almost as if saying hello. This fleeting moment of connection was a rare privilege to witness and capture. The synchronization between the cheetah’s head turn and the motion of my camera created a perfectly balanced composition, highlighting the elegance and poise of this magnificent predator. It was a moment of pure serendipity that showcased the beauty of nature’s most graceful hunter.
Photo Detail
Date Taken: | 07.2024 |
Date Uploaded: | 11.2024 |
Photo Location: | Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya |
Camera: | NIKON Z 9 |
Copyright: | © Yoshiki Nakamura |