On a hot morning in the Mara a zebra stood alone in a grassy field with an old wound visible on its shoulder. In the distance, three lions ly in wait sensing opportunity. Hours past with virtually no movement. Then the zebra walked away and it seemed the wait was in vain. While we repositioned the vehicle, the zebra made the fatal mistake of scratching its wound againt a bush. This triggered the lions into action. As luck would have it, the zebra ran toward our vehicle. This image captures the decisive moment when patience had its reward.