Photographer Gren Sowerby was seated in a safari vehicle in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, intent on capturing images of a lion crossing a shallow stream.

The Englishman, who has spent more than four decades photographing wildlife, knew the value of patience.

He had waited quietly, lens poised, watching the animal’s every move. Then, without warning, the lion unleashed a roar so powerful that Sowerby felt his heart leap.

“I leaned in to take a photo when he let out a huge roar, I got the shock of my life,” he said. The vibration was like standing near a thunderclap.

Even from roughly 30 to 50 feet away, he could sense the lion’s breath reverberate in the air around him.

Lions have the loudest roar among big cats, reaching up to 114 decibels, and that primal sound can carry across the savanna for miles.

Lion lets out a huge roar giving this photographer a 'shock of his life’, then winks and smiles at him… pic.twitter.com/Ke5Rynqouj

— The SciTech Guy (@theSciTechGuy) January 23, 2020

A Roar That Rattled the Savanna

The Maasai Mara’s early morning light flickered over the lion’s tawny mane as he stood guard with a lioness nearby.

Sowerby knew the male was likely announcing his supremacy and warning any lurking scavengers to stay away from a recent meal. Roaring is part of a lion’s routine to mark territory or communicate with others.

For Sowerby, it was a reminder that, no matter how many safaris he’s been on, the bush always holds the unexpected.

He was grateful for the safari jeep between him and the lion. Yet he also recognized that living day after day among tourism vehicles teaches animals to tolerate human presence.

This tolerance allowed him to keep snapping photos, despite the shock.

He’d dreamed of capturing the “King of the Jungle” in all his glory, and now he had not only the roar but something far more surprising.

He looks pleased with himself!!

One of the Tswalu males 👑
This was posted weeks ago and I completely forgot about it.
That wink 😉!#LoveLions
Tswalu, South Africa 🇿🇦
🎥 UnikatAfrika IG pic.twitter.com/nBWAHK7vNS

— LION LOVERS (@LIONLOVERS5) August 16, 2023

A Friendly Twist

After that mighty roar, the lion’s face seemed to shift, almost as if he was playing a joke.

Sowerby described the moment with astonishment, saying, “He roared to say, ‘I’m the King of the Jungle,’ and then I couldn’t believe it when he smiled at me like someone winks at you to say, ‘Haha!’”

That split second of a curled lip and relaxed eyes suggested the lion was more amused than alarmed. Sowerby confessed his initial fright gave way to relief and even a bit of humor.

He got his shots, and they were all he had hoped for.

“The King of the Jungle is always something you’ve got to capture and I’m so pleased I got the shot,” he said.

Later, as he reviewed his pictures, the intensity of that morning came rushing back. He could almost feel the echo of that roar.

In the end, photographer and lion parted ways without confrontation. Sowerby’s photos stand as a testament to how quickly fear can transform into awe when witnessing raw power in nature.

Moments like these, he believes, keep him returning to the wild. There’s always a new encounter around the bend, and, sometimes, it even comes with a grin.

This unforgettable encounter highlights the complexity and majesty of Africa’s top predator. If you’d like to explore more about these magnificent creatures, consider these well-reviewed books currently available on Amazon: