12th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Lion cub chillin' with his sibs

We sat for an hour watching a mother lion and her 4 cubs - we just couldn't get enough of them. The safari guide told us the cubs were around 3 or 4 months old. Papa lion was sitting across the road from his family, keeping a watchful eye. It was hard to imagine this cute, appealing cub turning into a fierce lion one day - the pink tongue was just too playful!

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2014
Date Uploaded: 11.2014
Photo Location: Gomoti Camp, Santawani Concession, Botswana
Camera: Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Copyright: © Leslie Geffen