A pack of cheetah cubs are treated to a refreshing shower in this spectacular snapshot of life on the plains of Kenya's vast Masai Mara nature reserve.
The three-month-olds squirm with shock as their mother drenches them by shaking herself dry following a flash downpour.
The adorable cubs had been caught in open grassland while hunting when Mother Nature struck.
The perfectly-timed photo was captured by Irish wildlife photographer Paul Mckenzie, 48.
He said: 'My wildlife experience told me that once the rain stopped the mother would shake herself dry.
'So I sat poised with my finger on the shutter looking through the viewfinder waiting for this moment.
'The cubs didn't look too happy especially as the temperature had dropped.'
The cheetah family - mother and six cubs - had been hunting gazelles when they were caught in open grassland as the heavens opened.
Part-time photographer Paul, who had been tracking the cheetah's across the barren plains, added: 'I was in a vehicle so thankfully stayed dry. The rain was biblical - I'd never seen it so heavy.
'The mother had been trying to hunt gazelles but without success when the rain started.
'The family were in an expanse of wide open grassland with just few trees for shelter.
'But cheetahs will rarely seek more concealed cover out of fear of being surprised by predators.
'So the cubs were already wet and were just beginning to dry out when they received another soaking from their mother."
Paul used a long lens to keep his distance from the pack, allowing him to remain undetected by them.
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
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