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A ROYAL RUMBLE… A lion receives a playful swipe across the face by another member of the pride in Olare Motorogi Conxervancy in Masai Mara. Photographer Paul Meek said, “I was the original spotter of the pride during our pre-dawn trip so it was a. Bit of a waiting game for the sun to come up and the pride to stir from their slumber. When they were waking up, they got into a really playful mood, particularly the cubs, with lots of play fighting. The pride was using a hidden drinking hole whenever they weren’t play fighting, filling up for the day.' “I loved the expressions on both the lion’s faces, the nonchalance of the lion that took the swipe and the accepting expression of the lion on the receiving end. It reminds me a lot of me and my brother when we were younger, play fighting and just accepting the blows. I always enjoy photographing prides because they often have a very sweet family dynamic that is a joy to photograph.” Please byline: Paul Meek/Solent News © Paul Meek/Solent News & Photo Agency UK +44 (0) 2380 458800 *** Local Caption *** playful lions are from the Masai Mara - Olare Motorogi Conservancy 1. Just to check, the camera date in the files says 22/06/24, would that be correct? Yes that is correct, 8 night photographic safari in Kenya. Only just getting round to the photographs. Only really focused on the cats. 2. Were there any difficulties in getting the shots or did you have to wait a particularly long time? Or equally was it just a spur of the moment shot? After being the original spotter of the lions in the dark this was a few hours waiting time as the sun rose in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy in the Masai Mara, Kenya. As they woke from their slumber, they started to show a particularly playful nature, from the youngsters to the adult female lionesses. 3. What were the lions doing in the moments prior to and just after the shots, just for some context? They had been drinking at a hidden waterhole, which we missed as had expected them to go to their ‘rock’ which overlooks the conservancy. We diverted back to them. Catching the end of their drinking session, but the play continued, luckily catching this moment. 4. What is your favourite thing about the shots? I love the expression of the lion receiving the blow and the nonchalance of the lion dishing it out. It reminds me of me and my younger brother. You just have to accept it, the other gloats with a cheeky smile on their face. 5. Is there anything further you think we should know that would help us caption the images? Prides are always about family dynamics, fighting for the rights to be higher in the pecking order, even these small moments help form a hierarchy but also a learning experience as the youngster learnt a lesson, never let your guard down. May serve them well in a real life adult lion situation. 6. Finally, would you still like to be referred to as "Paul Meek, Photographer"? Yes please that would be great.