James Lewin spends considerable time envisioning photographic scenarios in the wild and imagining how he might bring them to life. These ideas are typically followed by in-depth research into various locations across East Africa, identifying areas where - with a bit of luck - such moments could become reality.

However, this photograph was not the result of one of those carefully imagined scenes. In fact, he had never even dreamed of anything like it. It was a moment he had always considered impossible to capture with a wild leopard. But in that instant, years of searching for rare and unique encounters in nature came together in one unforgettable experience. He couldn’t have been in a better place at a better time.

The afternoon before, he had been in the exact same spot, where a young male leopard had taken refuge high in the canopy with a bushbuck kill. The next morning, returning to the area, Lewin and his guide could still see the tree in the distance. The guide asked, “Shall we go back and see if the leopard is still there?” Although there hadn’t been a photo opportunity the previous day, Lewin felt it would be a missed chance not to return - especially if the leopard had moved to a more photogenic part of the tree.

To their surprise, they found a large male leopard sleeping on a low branch, and the bushbuck carcass had been relocated to a different part of the tree. As they tried to piece together what had happened overnight, they heard movement high in the canopy. To their astonishment, it was the young male leopard approaching the kill. It was now clear that the larger male had stolen the bushbuck for himself.

The rustling above quickly stirred the big male. He woke, growled in warning, and within seconds stood up and walked to the crook at the base of the tree. Lewin suddenly realised what might unfold and rapidly adjusted his camera settings. In a flash, the leopard leapt across to another branch to guard his stolen meal.

He could hardly believe what had just unfolded in front of him. Anxiously, he scrambled to check whether he had managed to capture the moment in focus. To his relief, it was sharp.

There have been few drives back to camp that Lewin has enjoyed more. With a wide grin and his mind racing, he looked forward to reviewing the image on his computer - a moment of wild perfection frozen in time.