Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

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