Upside Down

Excellent close-up Ingrid. That vigilant eye is a very strong focal point in the photo and without it I don't think the image would be nearly as effective considering the unique upside down posture.

This is a unique and strong image. I don't know that much about lions, but I have always thought sans mane indicates female?

Thanks for the comments!
@Phil: yes, indeed, usually that is the case. However, in the Amboseli/Tsavo region for some reason the males have no or very short manes. There is still no agreement between scientists on the reason for that. Some say it's because of the thick bush, that brushes against the growing mane and hence cuts it (personally, I find that an unlikely story but I'm not a scientist), others stick to the version that it's a genetic thing.
In this case we identified the male by looking at other features
Grtz, Ingrid.

It was probably being fed by the females; who I'm sure, probably knew the difference...

Ingrid,
Very nice light, and nicely exposed- the colors really pop! Wish I could have been there, it sounds like quite a scene! Hopefully you have some other shots of them with the giraffe!
As for the mane (or lack thereof) we recently learned about that from our professor in a lion lecture while we were in the Serengeti. He is of the camp of scientists who believe it is a genetic occurrence. This can often be seen in areas that are heavily trophy hunted for lions. The lions with the largest manes are selectively killed by humans, resulting in a population where smaller manes are (artificially) genetically preferred. This can also be seen in horn length of impala and other hunted ungulates. As far as I know it has been quite some time (like 1930s or early 1940s?) since legal hunting has occurred in the Tsavo area though so I don't know if that could actually be a factor.
Anyway, nice photo!
-Cam

Nice close up n eye contact. I'm seeing more red in the pic, may be due to the sand, but it is there on the lion too. I find water mark on the eye bit distracting.
Jagdeep Rajput

Hi Ingrid,

The eye is compelling, the upside-down pose is unique, and the colour is striking. Together they combine to form a real eye-catchhing shot. The information about the mane (or lack thereof) by you and Cam is quite interesting - thanks to both of you for sharing that.

Cheers...

Brad