HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY MAMMALS
Neelutpaul Barua | Heavenly Showers

Name: Neelutpaul Barua
Picture title: Heavenly Showers
Category: Mammals
Nationality: India
Occupation: Risk Management Professional

Technical information
Camera: Canon 5D Mark III
Lens: Canon 500mm f/4L IS II
EXIF: ISO 2500, f/5.0, 1/200 sec, EV -0.67
Accessories: Bean bag support. No other accessories were used.

Neelutpaul says:

I was driving along the meandering forest tracks in Lake Nakuru National Park (Kenya). Black ominous clouds loomed and rain became imminent. I was in pursuit of the well-known tree climbing lion pride in the national park when I chanced upon this lion resting behind a dead tree. I prayed it walked up the dead tree and provided some unique photo opportunities. As I waited patiently, it started to drizzle and the drizzle soon turned into a heavy shower. I feared the lion might continue to stay behind the dead tree, sheltered from the rain. Time and light were both running out. While rain adds drama, it also depletes the natural light especially under the canopy in a woodland forest. To my good fortune, patience paid off and there was a brief window of opportunity when the king took to his throne, allowing me to capture a rather ethereal moment.