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

14th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Altered Images
The Protector

The sun had already set over the Serengeti, our cameras were stowed away, and we were late to camp when our driver spotted a very special "Sausage Tree". He exclaimed, "Prepare for a Kodak Moment!" and sped up our car. What we saw was amazing: a pride of 11 lions -- two mothers and nine cubs -- on a single tree branch. One of the Mothers stood guard of her cubs while two of them peeked through her legs.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2016
Date Uploaded: 10.2016
Photo Location: Tanzania
Camera: NIKON D7000
Copyright: © YARON SCHMID