A heroic set of images show a mother gazelle desperately trying to save her baby from the clutches of a giant eagle.

The brave mother can be seen approaching the bird of prey at it sits defiantly with one claw resting on the fawn’s skull.

A standoff ensues before the mother charges at the eagle. The bird of prey throws up its other claw and attacks the mother as the pair clash and exchange blows in the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

Stand off: A mother gazelle gets ready to fight off a giant eagle that has attacked her baby in the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya

The parent charges at the bird of prey to scare it away – but the eagle throws up one of its claws and stands its ground as they exchange blows

Unsuccessful: The gazelle doesn’t manage to free her young from the clutches of the eagle and is forced to retreat or face getting seriously injured herself

The sombre scene was captured by Linda Skeen. The 65-year-old, from Wyoming, said: ‘All of a sudden a huge Martial Eagle swooped over the top of the safari wagon.

‘We were all a little confused about its intent then it tried to take off once again but couldn’t get airborne because it had captured a brand-new baby Thompson’s Gazelle in its talons.

‘It took a few moments for the mother to realise that the eagle had her fawn in its grip. She began charging, trying desperately to free her fawn.

‘At one point the Martial Eagle had one talon on the skull of the fawn and reached out with its other talon grasping the mother gazelle ‘s head.

The giant eagle stood over its victim and spread its wings to look as intimidating as possible to the Thompson’s Gazelle mother

The bird of prey menacingly placed its claw over the baby gazelle’s body after swooping in and attacking it

‘As a wildlife and outdoor photographer, you are a witness to the reality of life, watching the interaction of animals.

‘There is always life and death in nature. Honestly, I was hoping the mother would free her fawn, but the reality of the situation was not in her favour.

‘It was difficult to watch, in fact, heart-wrenching. The cruelty and reality of life and death is never my favourite thing to witness.’