This is what happens when you leave a camera lion around!

Pride of killer cats appear to pose for photographs taken by hidden lens

• A camera camouflaged in grass and leaves has captured stunning pictures of lions in East Africa
• One young cub lifts its paw as it checks out the camera, almost as if it is taking its own selfie
• The mobile remote camera unit allows British photographer Angus Stead to get up close to the top predator

By Max Margan For Mailonline

Published: 20 April 2016

A hidden camera camouflaged in grass and leaves in the national parks of East Africa has captured incredible candid images of a pride of lions. 

In one stunning photo, an inquisitive young lion cub lifts its paw as it checks out the camera, while the rest of the pride laze about in the midday sun.

The African lion stares into the lens almost as if it is attempting to take a selfie.

An inquisitive young lion cub lifts its paw as it checks out a camera taking candid pictures of its pride lazing about in the midday sun. The African lion stares into the lens almost as if it is attempting to take a selfie

 An adult male unleashes a ferocious yawn just inches from the lens. The pride roam around the national parks in East Africa

This big cat seems to smile for the camera as it lies in the dirt

In another shot, an adult male unleashes a ferocious yawn just inches from the lens, while another captures a big cat which seems to smile for the camera.

But it's the young cubs of the pride that are most interested in the device.

They look at the camera, and move towards it, with one of them reaching for the unit.

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The young cubs of the pride are most interested in the camouflaged camera

The camera, which is operated by a remote trigger from a nearby vehicle, can be moved around to grab the attention of the pride.  

And it allows British photographer Angus Stead to get up close to the top predator.

Mr Stead, 42, of Leeds, West Yorkshire, said: 'The camera is camouflaged with grass and leaves so it can get as close to the animals as possible without disturbing or scaring them.

The mobile remote camera unit allows British photographer Angus Stead to get up close to the top predator

Mr Stead said: 'The camera is camouflaged with grass and leaves so it can get as close to the animals as possible without disturbing or scaring them'

The best time to capture the big cats is in the heat of the midday sun when they are less active and less likely to damage the camera

'Lions are naturally very inquisitive and happily come over to investigate the moving "bush" that they see. It's the young lions that are interested and attentive for much longer, and are always curious. Most of the adults lose interest fairly quickly.'

Mr Stead said the best time to capture the big cats is in the heat of the midday sun.  

'Lions are less active then and are less likely to try and play with the kit - or damage it. 

'I love the lion's eye view that these photos give the viewer. The unit being low to the ground, and the wide angle of the pictures produces a really interesting perspective I think.'

Mr Stead said: 'Lions are naturally very inquisitive and happily come over to investigate the moving "bush" that they see'

The British photographer said: 'I love the lions eye view that these photos give the viewer. The unit being low to the ground, and the wide angle of the pictures produces a really interesting perspective I think'

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