Winging it: Peckish Lion Catches A Bird

The huntress brought down her prey at the Lion Park in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The images were captured by 33-year-old wildlife guide Bradley Leontsinis. 

He said: “I noticed the lioness displaying interest in the large bird.

"She stalked and chased it unsuccessfully once but seemed quite determined to continue in her pursuit.

"When the bird landed on the other side of a bush from where her position was, both her eyes and mine sparked up as I think we mutually recognised the cover which the tree would afford her.

“I immediately moved our vehicle to position on the other side of the tree so we would have the attack coming towards us.

“The lioness simultaneously bee-lined from her position at the time to a position behind the tree"

After successfully catching the hadeda bird, the lioness shared the spoils with her cubs.

Bradley continued:  “We had just managed to position our vehicle in place when she began to use the tree for cover to quickly stalk closer. 

“She committed to the chase very quickly once she got around the tree and before the bird could react in time she was on it.

“I couldn’t wait to check the images.”

The South African photographer took the photos in June 2012.