Pale paws flattened and spread, claws digging into the soft dirt under them as the huge dark body crouched, shifted, waiting. The sun dappled the water before him as it rushed past the bank, the shifting shadows cast by the wide-spread branches of the huge Baobab tree under which Sliabh had settled to fish earlier in the day. Releasing a deep breath, the large lion shifted again, easing the cramp in his muscles. Fishing was more an exercise in patience and pain tolerance than he would really have liked, but the fish, once caught, was certainly worth the hours of discomfort, and at least he got to lay under the shadow of a tree while doing so.
Suddenly he surged forwards, diving head-first into the river with an almighty splash. Surging forwards he sprang back out and shook violently, dark mane flying as he sprayed the course grass and earth around him with a fine shower of river water. A wriggling, struggling fish held tight between his teeth. Once the excess water had been shed, the soaked male padded down the slight rise and out into the sunlight, well away from the water and the fish's possible escape.
Settling down, large body stretching out in the sun to dry off, Sliabh released the fish from his jaws, swiftly clouting the wriggling fish on the head to kill it before starting to eat.
