Shashwat Harish (Kenya) is rewarded for his patience with a moment of eye contact and the curl of a leopard’s tail.
Shashwat was on a trip to the Maasai Mara when he heard that a leopard had been spotted nearby. ‘I love that feeling when you’re waiting for something to happen,’ he says. After spending many hours in a vehicle searching and waiting, Shashwat finally saw the leopard appear.
While the leopard moved unhurriedly, hopping elegantly between rocks, Shashwat and the others paused in the river to marvel and take photographs. He had to change lenses and settings quickly but was skilled enough to capture this portrait, made memorable by a brief moment of eye contact and the perfect curl of the leopard’s tail.
Leopards are the smallest of the big cats and are often seen near water in the Maasai Mara. They’re elusive in nature, camouflage very well and survive in dense bushes and forested areas. Currently, their numbers are decreasing due to habitat loss, hunting and the decline of their prey.
Kenya
Shashwat is a nature lover, wildlife photographer and junior golfer from Kenya. Photography has helped him to respect and understand the natural world on a higher level and he’s learnt patience and mindfulness from going on safari with his Mom and observing different species. Still living in Kenya, where he was born and raised, Shashwat believes he’s very fortunate to be able to explore the African wilderness.
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