Habari Za Asubuhi !

I vote for yawn because you have beautiful morning light. Probably up late the night before preparing for the coming birthing season or last night out with the guys before has to stay home and take care of the kids. Love the colors, the TEETH, and you have framed it for a stunning portrait.

Unbelievable... super sharp, amazing detail especially i the mouth and a real frame filler. Only wish to see the animals pupils - maybe in another frame?

Wonderfull light here Kiran, i'm going for a yawn to because of it Really a superb image overall, only tiny nit is that like Luke I'd love to see the pupils of this one

ANother yawn vote Kiran. Great detail and love the flies.

Great detail and light. Fine capture.

Excellent light and timing on this Kiran.

Very nice light. The pose is awesome with this open mouth in which we can see the detail of the teeth. I would prefer to see the pupils too.

Wow, he is impressive! Wonderful warm tones and detail in this image Kiran. Simply superb in every regard.

Great texture, and golden light as well - lovely image, Kiran! Yawn or a snarl, I don't know. He could even be sneezing!

Super picture! Hope that you have more!?

The golden morning light, super low angle and the interesting facial expression make this a powerful image Kiran. I do echo the comment about the pupils. Yawn or snarl?; always difficult to tell. Since lions yawn much more than they snarl I vote out of statistical reasons for a yawn.

I vote for yawn, the folded frontpaws indicate that he feels relaxed...and cats yawn with closed eyes...I believe there are almost closed..right?;-)
Topshot, nice low ankle, intimate, golden light..the pupils are a nit.

Stunning portrait! Very well captured

Great image- about the pose, maybe some kind of flehmen? (I'm not an expert at all, but just after mating season maybe some nice molecules of sexual feromone are in the air yet)- besides the pose the image is superb, with excellent details and composition - I hope I'll be there one day- Bravo, Fabio

Awesome light. Definitely yawn. The eyes look a bit spooky without the pupils, and in an ideal world (I'm still searching where that is) the ears would be pointing upward or forward.

Good luck there!

Thanks for playing along, everyone !

Sally, I love your analysis but that's not a yawn, nor was it a sneeze or flehmen response.

He, actually, was wide awake and reacted at a cub that was coming towards him (from my left). That expression lasted for a brief second and soon after that, they rubbed cheeks... maybe, this is how they smile and say "good morning" !

The cubs and moms/aunts were meeting him after a night out, it seems. We saw them walking towards him ( he was sunbathing at a distance) with their bellies full, vultures feeding on zebra body parts along the way. We placed ourselves close to him and let the scene unfold as the sun rose on the horizon.

Sorry, his pupils are not visible in this frame burst, I will double check. I think it actually makes him look ominous without them. Like Marsel said,in a perfect world, I would have loved to capture them (and the ears too).

That is one tough looking old lion you have there Habari, very nice shot with good comp and wonderful lighting.

Kiran,

What a beauty, beautifully captured, too late to play but I would have voted for a snarl

Kiran:
A great portrait. Kind of threatening and 'evil' looking without the pupils.

Beautiful light and amazing sharpness. I realize the game is over but just to let you know I thought it was definitely a snarl because of the tension around his eyes and forehead . Well done and great gallery as well. Best regards, Andrei