True colors

Hi Vincent, like the locked on look and the larger version does the image justice. Nice processing and I like the 'blood drenched' face. Personally would like the whole crop moved down about half from trim to back of the neck, less above, but obviously as presented, works well commercially for obvious reasons. Looks good compared to the 1DX, nice to have the crop factor.

TFS
Steve

Really outstanding. Appropriate title for this image.

Wow, I'm really "digging" the wonderful detail in this one Vincent, especially in the larger view. You really have that camera/lens dialed in! I have no recommendations for changes/improvements. It is an interesting point you bring up about how the young mature and the age of innocence vanishes. This photo beautifully illustrates the point.

Wha an icy stare! Nothing "cute" here..
Excellent detail and bloody face.
I'd also crop a bit differently - closer to the face, and without the bit of (presumed) prey fur in the LL.
Terrific image!
Sandy

Vincent,

Great to see an image from Etosha, a place where everybody should go.
Marvelous detail in this one and the face certainly shows what it has been up to.
I am not sure what the darker fur in the left hand corner is, but I do think if you have got more room a total inclusion might be better, in the alternative a closer crop may work.

Love that intense look n stare!
Jagdeep Rajput

Nice one Vincent. The stare, the bloody face the matted fur. Who said lions were cute?
Beautifully sharp with great natural looking colours.
I assume the dark furry thing in the bottom left corner is the lion's front right leg.

Excellent! Super sharp with great light values. The light in the cub's right eye is wonderful. Very appropriate title.

Thanks for the comments all. @Sandy: what you see in the BLC is not the prey, but the cub's front leg (it is walking) Martin guessed it right.
@Steve: in this kind of good light at low ISO, it really isn't a very noticeable difference between the 1Dmk4 and the 1DX, certainly not on a small jpeg post like this. The additional crop factor may come in handy at times yes, but in general the benefits of FF (plus all the other benefits of the 1DX) outweigh the crop factor by far and hence I sold my mk4 (whilst it still is worth some cash).

Impressive; excellent sharpness, and facial expression. TFS.

I must admit Vincent, I'm now shooting more with the 1DX than ever before, but still like the MKIV as back-up. Just got Canon to do a few personal tweaks to the 1DX and it's awesome. Just started a project for someone, with variable light and needing to be in position before the start of he day and not moving position, the camera has really performed in all manner of light conditions & ISO. It will be back in with Canon with some more new kit before shooting again at the end of the month in warmer climates.

Enjoy.