Rarely Scene?

Well, maybe lions in trees is more common than one might think, but three lionesses and a big male all in the same tree is by no means common. I don't recall ever seeing a male lion in a tree. Regardless, this is really special. You have good looks at all the eyes and you can't help but wonder what they are looking at. The sharpness on all four is very good. Probably because, even though there are four of them, they look like they are all almost the same plane. A better sky (non white) would have certainly added to this already great image. You handled the exposure very well considering the white sky. Well done.

Oh man, Ken, this is special indeed. Not only is a great moment of natural history, but you captured it beautifully. Wonderful and expert handling of the techs, not the least of which is perhaps perfect DOF. Sure, the background on the left is a bit busy and the bright sky maybe pulls the eye a bit, but it's what you had to work with and work with it you did! I spent a few minutes pretending I was there with you and cannot imagine handling this moment better than you did. I can imagine a pano with a wider lens maybe, but that would be different, not better than this.

The light is very pleasing as well, and the intent stares not only creates some drama and interest but leaves us wondering just what might be over our shoulder to the right and what transpired in the moments that followed this capture.

Very cool!

Jerry and John,
Thanks very much , two of the Lions had originally been chased up the tree by Buffalo, unfortunately we were too far away for images

Really neat scene! I have to admit,however, the white sky is a bit unfortunate. I also like the idea of a closer look of the two females in the lower left and it looks like you had some lens left to try that. Actually, all the poses are excellent.

Lon,
Thanks very much, I have a few more from this sighting