A velvet-covered buck caught my attention during an early morning drive at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. Thick brush and deep shadows surrounded him, but his antlers stood out immediately.
A Velvet-Covered Buck in the Brush
I arrived at the refuge near sunrise on July 26, 2022. At 7:04 a.m., I spotted the six-point White-tailed Buck along the auto tour road.
The buck stood among thick brush where the early sunlight could not reach him. Most of his body remained in shadow. However, his velvet-covered antlers made him easy to notice.
Velvet covers growing antlers during their development. The soft-looking outer layer carries blood to the growing bone underneath. I often see bucks with velvet antlers during summer visits to the refuge.
I have photographed other Velvet Antlers on Oklahoma White-tailed Bucks. Each encounter gives me another look at how their antlers develop during the season.
The brush created a natural frame around this buck. It also showed the type of cover White-tailed Deer use at the refuge. Although the setting made photography difficult, it gave the image a quiet woodland mood.
Photographing the Six-Point Buck from My Truck
I pulled my pickup truck to the side of the road and parked. Staying inside helped me avoid sudden movements near the deer.
For steady support, I rested my camera and long lens on a beanbag. The truck also provided a familiar barrier between me and the buck.
The dim setting created the biggest challenge. I needed ISO 6400 to reach a shutter speed of 1/400 second. That combination helped me photograph the buck despite the low light.
The shadows hid some fine details, but I did not want to push closer. Remaining in the truck allowed me to get the photograph without placing added pressure on the deer.
Camera and settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- Focal length: 500mm
- Aperture: f/7.1
- Shutter speed: 1/400 second
- ISO: 6400
- Exposure compensation: +0.7
- Support: Beanbag
- Date and time: July 26, 2022, at 7:04 a.m.
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
An Early Morning Encounter at Sequoyah
Encounters like this keep me returning to Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. I never know what may appear along the auto tour road.
This buck gave me only one subject, one shadowed setting, and a brief opportunity. That was enough to create a memorable image of a summer buck in velvet.