Lucy of Luangwa

Lucy is a well-known mother leopard in South Luangwa National Park. We got incredibly lucky with the timing on our evening game drive, arriving just after she had killed an impala. In the fading evening light, she began dragging the kill across an open field toward a safer place where another predator would be less likely to steal it.

Every so often, she stopped, lifted her head, and looked around before continuing. Watching her move the impala through the open landscape was a raw reminder that even after a successful hunt, the work is not over.

I remember being in awe of the entire scene, especially with the evening light coming together so perfectly. Being able to share the moment with my dad made it even more memorable, and I was grateful to our guide for putting us in a position to witness it.

There was also something special about seeing Lucy through the eyes of the guides who know her. They have followed her throughout her life and know her history as an individual, and it felt like a privilege not only to photograph her, but to learn a little of her story from people who have watched it unfold.