15th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Shake It Off

This is a dream shot for me in my photography journey. I don't know since how many years I was dreaming about a picture of a male lion shaking his mane after the rain. When I heard from one of my friend that its raining in Masai Mara, I just packed my bag and the very next day I flew to Mara. I asked my guide to spot the male lion and as per my planning waited for a long time, finally it started raining and then waited for the lion to wake up. After a extreemly long wait the King slowly woke up, turned towards me, gave a look and then the much awaited royal head shake in full frame right in front of me. All my patience and planning paid off!

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 12.2015
Date Uploaded: 11.2017
Photo Location: Masai Mara, Kenya
Camera: NIKON D4S
Copyright: © THOMAS VIJAYAN