Lions in a line: Africa’s fearsome predators relax in a row… or are they simply eyeing up their next meal?

• The three-year-old lions were snapped on the edge of the Serengeti, in Tanzania, Africa
• Minutes after photo was taken three of the lions dozed off to sleep

Lined up in a row these six lions look like they were hoping their photo would be taken as they presented a rare picture perfect moment.
The three-year-old predators, who are half-brothers, were snapped on the edge of the Serengeti, in Tanzania, Africa.
They were either stretching out in the warm sunshine or laying low and still, while watching their next meal.

Picture perfect predators: The three-year-old lions were snapped on the edge of the Serengeti, in Tanzania, Africa

Lined up: Daniel Dolpire balanced his camera on a beanbag to take this once-in-a-lifetime shot

But it was a unique photographic opportunity as within five minutes of the photo being taken, three of the six predators had lost interest and fallen asleep.
The photo was captured by Daniel Dolpire who spotted the the lions lounging on the edge of the Salt Lick, a tributary of the Grumeti river, during a trip around Tanzania and Kenya with his wife.
They pair had stopped over at the picturesque Klein's Camp on a group safari when they saw the six lions which make up the 30-strong Black Rock Pride.
Retired Daniel, 59, said: 'I have been taking wildlife photos for over 20 years, but this has got to be my special moment.

Time for a snooze: Mr Dolpire from South Africa, had just five minutes to take the photo before a pair of the lions fell asleep

'I needed to work fast as you just do not know when they will move or just flop down and go to sleep.
'This was just a unique, special moment. No one has ever seen or recorded such a special moment or possibly ever will.'
'Exactly six minutes later the first lion got up and within another five minutes, three were sleeping and the other three had gone off into the bush,' Daniel added.
The Black Rock Pride is the reserve's largest, made up of eight adult females, two dominant males, seven 'sub adults' and five cubs.
There are eight young males. The six pictured share the same father.
Male lions commonly leave their original pride when they reach maturity, around the age of four.