South Africa - 2023

I think this is one of my most powerful lion photographs over the last 10 years and a tribute to the skills of Kevin Richardson - The Lion Whisperer - whose ability to work with these magnificent cats is without equal.

The previous night, the thunderstorms around Dinokeng, South Africa, were so violent and relentless that sleeping was impossible. My restlessness was compounded by my excitement about the amount of flood water that would be building in Kevin’s famous sanctuary. We often talk about bad weather being an opportunity not a threat and the torrential rain in the region offered a chance for us to practice what we preach.

I knew that it was going to be dirty work as, at my behest, Kevin’s heavy cage would be positioned in the new marshland at first light. These lions are extremely dangerous to all humans, other than Kevin, and the only way to gain proximity is to use remotes or work from a very heavy cage. Remotes were a non-runner with the water levels, so it was time for me to get very wet and suck it up.

The end result made it all worthwhile. I can’t really get more out of an adult male lion than this and what a majestic animal he is.